Esbjerg hand FTC first defeat of the season, Metz remain unbeaten

• Ingvild Bakkerud's 10 goals were not enough for Odense to overcome reigning champions Metz, who produced a late turnaround to extend their unbeaten streak to 16 matches

• Gloria Bistrita's late 8:0 run proved decisive against Podravka as Helena Paulo, Johanna Reichert and Danila So Delgado combined for 18 goals

• Buducnost snatched a last-second victory against Dortmund, claiming their first win over the German side in four years

• led by Henny Reistad and Nora Mørk's seven goals each and 15 saves from Anna Kristensen, Esbjerg handed FTC their first defeat of the season despite Katharina Filter's 16 saves

• ahead of the match between Esbjerg and FTC, centre back Henny Reistad received her EHF Excellence Award for the Women's Team of the Season, presented by EHF Vice-President Henrik La Cour

GROUP A

TEAM ESBJERG (DEN) VS FTC-TOYOTA KOVÁCS (HUN) 29:26 (15:11)

H2H: 8-1-3

Top scorers: Nora Mørk 7/8, Henny Reistad 7/14 (Team Esbjerg); Lysa Tchaptchet 6/8 (FTC-Toyota Kovács)

It was a hard-fought first half with Esbjerg's solid defence causing plenty of problems for FTC, although both sides’ goalkeepers, Katharina Filter and Anna Kristensen, were in good form from the start. Esbjerg capitalised on their defensive strength to score quick goals with Sanna Solberg-Iskasen helping the Danish side to open a 10:5 lead in the 23rd minute. FTC managed to narrow the gap towards the end of the half to two goals (11:13), but Henny Reistad stepped up against her former coach to restore Esbjerg's lead by half-time.

Reistad and Nora Mørk continued to lead Esbjerg's attack after the break, while FTC, with only 11 field players available for rotation, struggled to mount another comeback. The Danish side gradually stretched their advantage to as many as nine goals and looked firmly in control. However, FTC capitalised on Esbjerg's drop in concentration in the final five minutes, reducing the deficit from 20:27 to 24:28. The Hungarian side had further opportunities to narrow the gap, but Esbjerg managed to protect their lead in the closing stages and celebrate their eighth win against FTC, handing the visitors their first defeat of the season.

BV BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER) VS OTP GROUP BUDUCNOST (MNE) 24:25 (13:9)

H2H: 3-0-4

Top scorers: Alina Grijseels 5/6 (BV Borussia Dortmund); Đurđina Jauković 9/14 (OTP Group Buducnost)

The teams traded the lead for much of the opening 20 minutes, with neither side able to establish a clear advantage. Buducnost made the better start, but a direct red card for Jelena Radivojević disrupted their rhythm. Both goalkeepers enjoyed a strong first half, but the decisive moment came when Dortmund produced a 4:0 run to turn a 7:7 tie into an 11:7 lead, leaving Buducnost without a goal for seven minutes.

Buducnost made adjustments in their efforts to close the gap, but attacking mistakes continued to hamper their progress until the 45th minute. After the timeout, Đurđina Jauković scored three consecutive goals to bring the Montenegrin club level at 19:19, as she proved to be instrumental in the comeback. As Buducnost kept pouncing, Dortmund began to show signs of nerves, setting up a thrilling finish. With BVB unable to find a way through and eventually forced into passive play, Buducnost made the most of their final possession. Jovana Skrobić netted off the post with just three seconds remaining to put the Montenegrin side ahead, leaving Dortmund with no time to respond.

GROUP B

GLORIA BISTRITA (ROU) VS HC PODRAVKA (CRO) 33:29 (14:15)

H2H: 1-0-2

Top scorers: Helena Paulo 7/10 (Gloria Bistrita); Katarina Pandža 10/12 (HC Podravka)

Podravka put in a strong first-half performance away from home, holding the lead for much of the opening 30 minutes thanks largely to Katarina Pandža and Matea Šošo who combined for 12 goals. The Croatian side led by as many as three goals, but Gloria gradually reduced the deficit towards the end of the half, with Jennifer Gutiérrez bringing the hosts level (12:12). Podravka still managed to head into the break with a slender advantage, leaving everything open for the second half.

The Croatian side restored their three-goal lead after the break at 18:15, but Gloria, boosted by their home fans, fought back and moved ahead at 21:20, taking the lead for the first time since 4:2. From that moment on, Gloria took control, with Helena Paulo stepping up alongside Johanna Reichert and Danila So Delgado. The Romanian side produced an impressive 8:0 run to turn a 23:23 tie into a 31:23 advantage in under six minutes, paving the way for their first win against Podravka in the top-tier competition.

METZ HANDBALL (FRA) VS ODENSE HÅNDBOLD (DEN) 33:31 (15:16)

H2H: 4-1-1

Top scorers: Kristina Jørgensen 5/13, Laura Schneider 5/7, Petra Vámos 5/6 (Metz Handball); Ingvild Bakkerud 10/16 (Odense Håndbold)

Former Metz goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen made a strong start against her former club, keeping the French side at bay and helping Odense open an early 4:1 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as Metz quickly drew level through Laura Schneider and Chloé Valentini, before Léna Grandveau put the hosts ahead for the first time. Odense responded well, with Anna Vyakhireva and Tina Abdulla helping the Danish side regain the lead and take a slender advantage into half-time.

The rematch of last season's semi-final remained just as exciting throughout the second half with the teams trading leads in another closely contested battle. Odense were the first to establish a two-goal advantage, with Nikita van der Vliet making it 27:25, and looked to have the upper hand. However, Metz fought back, helped by few timely saves from Sabrina Novotná, to turn the tide and celebrate their sixth win of the season. The French side also extended their unbeaten run in Europe's top flight to 16 matches, with 14 wins and two draws dating back to last season.

Main photo © Metz Handball