SUMMARY: Metz, Esbjerg, Gyor and Bietigheim secure FINAL4 tickets

• leg 2 of the EHF Champions League Women quarter-finals
• on Saturday:
  Metz beat CSM Bucuresti 29:23 (56:47 on aggregate)
  in MOTW,  Vipers defeat Györ 26:24, but lose 49:54 on aggregate
• on Sunday:
  - at 14:00 CEST: Odense Håndbold vs SG BBM Bietigheim (first leg 26:30)
  - at 16:00 CEST: Team Esbjerg vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (first leg 26:25)
• all matches streamed live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions apply); highlights available on the Home of Handball YouTube channel
• read the second-leg preview and check the quarter-final schedule
• follow the official EHF Champions League socials on Instagram , X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook
• all photos courtesy of the home teams

Sunday 5 May

17:55

And that's all folks! Another exciting handball weekend is now behind us during which we've found out the names of the four teams that will in Budapest compete for the EHF CLW champion title! Esbjerg, Bietigheim, Gyor, and Metz will, without doubt, be interested to find out who their semi-final opponent is going to be, and in order to learn that they'll have to wait until May 7, 17.00 CEST when the official draw takes place.

Thank you for being with us, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, and see you soon! Have a great rest of the day!

17:50

No better way to close the day than to hear from the winners! Anna Kristensen delivered an absolute masterclass helping her team reach yet another EHF FINAL4 tournament!

17:37

Another exciting day is behind us. And while Esbjerg managed to reach the EHF FINAL4 tournament once again, this time with a strong home performance against FTC in this second quarter-final leg, Bietigheim did it for the first time ever taking advantage of the four-goal win in the first leg. As always, feel free to check our daily reviews that are bringing you absolutely everything you need to know about the games we've seen today. 

17:33

Final match of the weekend is behind us, so let's take a minute to check out some of the best photos from Denmark!

17:30

A strong performance in the final ten minutes of the second helped Esbjerg finally sail away and seal the deal in this one. After leading by seven after the first half, they slowed down a bit almost allowing FTC to full get back into this one, but luckily for their fans that didn't happen. Six goals for Sanna Solberg-Isaksen, five for Live Rushfeldt. Anna Kristensen finished the match with 14 saves. Katrin Klujber netter eight for FTC. 

17:28 FULL TIME

Team Esbjerg - FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 29:24

17:25

Six-goal lead for Esbjerg with two minutes left to play in this one, and the deal is sealed. 

17:17

Three quick saves from Kinga Janurik, and FTC cut the gap to two goals (24:22). Just under ten minutes left to play in this one. Can they turn this one around?

17:07

Anna Opstrup Kristensen is making the difference in this one. She has 10 saves at the moment, while Kinga Janurik and Blanka Bode-Biro combined for only two with almost 45 minutes already on the clock. Such a difference is hard to overcome, and it is clear FTC's goalies will have to find a way to deliver in the final quarter of the game if FTC want to have a shot at securing the ticket to Budapest here today. 

17:00

A four-goal lead for Esbjerg in these moments as we're slowly reaching minute ten of the second half. FTC are struggling to slow down Esbjerg's offensive transition which is proving to be their strongest weapon so far in this one. 

16:49

Crazy 1st half ending in Esbjerg 😱#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/N5N59gX10y

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

16:40

And while you're waiting for the second half to begin, take the time to relive some of the best moments from our opening match of the day in which Bietigheim, despite of today's loss, managed to take advantage of the four-goal win from the first leg securing their first-ever EHF FINAL4 appearance. 

16:35 HALF TIME

Team Esbjerg - FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 17:10

A dominant seven-goal half-time lead for Esbjerg in Denmark that's bring them only inches away from securing another EHF FINAL4 tournament appearance. Jesper Jensen's team is looking motivated and determined with Mork, Solberg-Isaksen, and Reistad leading the attack scoring three goals each. Kristensen has seven saves. Katrin Kljuber netted four in the first for FTC. 

16:24

It's 12:7 with just over ten minutes left to play in the first. Three goals already for Mork and Solberg-Isaksen, as well as six saves for Kristensen. 

𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐌ø𝐫𝐤 finding the hole 🕳️ between the legs 😮#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/wli8SrxWDE

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

16:12

A 6:2 lead for Esbjerg! Two goals for Nora Mork, two saves for Anna Opstrup Kristensen as Esbjerg widens the gap in this one. 

16:03

Just the start Esbjerg were looking for! Good defense, patient and precise attack, and the hosts are 3:0 up in Denmark!

15:55

Only five more minutes left until the final quarter-final game of the season. Who is going to join Gyor, Metz and Bietigheim in Budapest this season?

𝙎𝙂 𝘽𝘽𝙈 𝘽𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙢 losses in Odense but still qualifies to Budapest 👏 Great celebration 🤩#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/AZjnWkczJP

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

15:50

We've got ten more minutes left until the opening kick-off in Denmark where Esbjerg is going to welcome FTC. After only a one-goal loss in the first leg, it will be interesting to see whether FTC have what it takes to deliver a strong performance and endanger Esbjerg on the road. 

15:45

Xenia Smits delivered a splendid performance today offensively helping her team even hold on to the lead throughout the bigger part of the second, eventually sealing the deal when it comes to who advances through to Budapest from this quarter-final matchup with seven important goals today. 

15:37

With the first game of the day behind us, it's time to check out some of the best photos coming our way from Odense. 

15:33 FULL TIME

Odense Handbold - SG BBM Bietigheim 32:30

Two-goal loss for Bietigheim in the second leg means that the Germans have managed to take advantage of a strong performance, and a four-goal lead in the home game a week ago, securing what will be their historic first appearance in the EHF FINAL4 tournament in Budapest. Kelly Dulfer, and Xenia Smits finished the match scoring seven goals each, while Gabriela Moreschi displayed an absolute masterclass in the second half finishing the game with 15 saves. Andrea Hansen netted seven for Odense, but the two-goal lead wasn't enough for today's hosts overcome the deficit and secure a ticket for Budapest.

15:25

Entering the final five minutes, the game is still levelled. Seven goals for Xenia Smits, 15 saves for Gabriela Moreschi.

15:14

Not much more you can do to stop her from scoring, but Xenia Smits find the way through anyway.

𝐗𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 💪in front of a wall of arms 🤯#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/9opYUZ19qw

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

15:10

Nine second-half saves already as Germans take the lead with a minute to go until the middle of the second. Bietigheim are looking much better in the second, back up by amazing Moreschi between the posts!

14:56

36 minutes in and the score is levelled at 18:18. Four saves in opening five minutes of the second for Moreschi, as Bietigheim completely cuts the gap bringing us back to where it all started about an hour ago!

14:43

Amazing Kelly Dulfer, and only one of her five first-half goals today!

𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐞𝐫 👀finds the way to score from too far 💪#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/gr6JoZik1Z

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

14:37 HALF TIME

Odense Handbold - SG BBM Bietigheim 17:16

After a four-goal win in Germany a week ago, Bietigheim's hopes of securing a FINAL4 ticket are still very much alive as they are trailing by only one at the half of the second leg! Despite being even four goals down are certain moments, the've managed to find the right tempo offensively cutting the gap in the final ten minutes of the first. Kelly Dulfer is having a great day with five goals so far, while Gabriela Moreschi has six saves. It's interesting that Antje Doll, who led their offense in the first leg with eight, is yet to score today! Andrea Hansen is on the other side once again leading Odense' attack - she has five goals so far. Home-team goalies are having a tough day so far with only three saves combined after first 30 minutes. 

14:30

Only a single-goal lead for the hosts with five minutes left to play in the first! Bietigheim is looking much better on the offensive side of the court in the last couple of minutes as Kelly Dulfer leads them with four goals. Gabriela Moreschi has five saves. 

14:21

Bietigheim are going to need a lot more of these in order to secure a place in Budapest!

𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 🧱 saving two difficult shots 😮#ehfcl #clw #daretorise #handball pic.twitter.com/T50BWzVfxt

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) May 5, 2024

14:14

Twelve minutes in, Odense lead 8:6. Three goals for Andrea Hansen so far. 

14:04

A good start for Odense offensively secures them a 3:1 lead early on. 

14:00

The game is on! Bietigheim will have the first possession!

13:50

Ten more minutes to go, and the atmosphere is heating up!

13:40

With only 20 minutes left until the opening whistle in Odense, warm-ups are slowly coming to an end. 

13:26

With neither Odense nor Bietigheim managing to book a spot in the EHF FINAL4 in the past, it is clear the stakes are going to be super high in this one with both teams aiming to secure a spot among four of the best teams in Europe. 

13:18

The 35-year-old Antje Doll delivered a splendid performance last week going 8/9, and it is clear Odense will have to find a way to slow her down in case they want to advance. Andrea Hansen on the other side led Odense offensively with 6/6. 

13:10

In the first match of the day, Odense will be looking to overcome the four-goal deficit from Germany from last week. With the 26:30 loss being their only in five duels against the German side so far, Odense will, with the help of their fans, try to secure a spot in Budapest. They are surely going to need a much better performance this time to pull that off with Bietigheim looking really well on both sides of the court. 

13:00

Welcome to the second day of our live coverage of the EHF Champions League Women quarter-finals second leg. With Gyor and Metz securing the spots for themselves in Budapest yesterday, we'll today find out which two teams will join them on the final tournament of the season. Starting from 14.00 CEST Odense will host Bietigheim, and two hours later Esbjerg will welcome FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria!

SATURDAY, 4 MAY

20:30

And finishing today's coverage, here are the highlights of MOTW and of course the match review!

We'll be back tomorrow from 13:00 CEST ahead of the last two knockout games in this EHF Champions League Women season: Odense Håndbold vs SG BBM Bietigheim, and Team Esbjerg vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria. Join us then for another thrilling afternoon of handball.

19:53

Let's start the wrap-up of the day, beginning with Metz vs CSM - Metz booking their place in the EHF FINAL4 after two solid games against the Romanian side. 

Here are the highlights of the match, and the match review!

19:46

We heard from two key Norwegians after the game - Veronica Kristiansen and Katrine Lunde. Here's what they had to say.

19:36 | FULL-TIME

GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 24:26 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

It's a hollow victory for Vipers, who took the fight to the record champions and showed why they were defending EHF Champions League champions. But it's Györ who will be back for their eighth EHF FINAL4 in a row after taking a 54:49 victory on aggregate. 

Katrine Lunde was magnificent, and rightly earns the Player of the Match award. Jamina Roberts is the top scorers, with eight goals; Ana Gros scored six for Györ in her last home match in the Champions League before going home to Slovenia next season. 

19:27 | 26th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 22:23 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Ryu Eun Hee makes it a one-goal game and Vipers' chances of defending their title in Budapest are fading, fast. Ryu and Veronica Kristiansen have both been excellent in the second half.

19:22 | 23rd minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 20:23 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Things have steadied a little, but Vipers are still ahead. Anna Vyakhireva and Jamina Roberts have been so important in attack, and Vyakhireva has thrown herself on the line physically for her team. Silje Solberg is currently doing an excellent job in goal for the home team, helping them stay ahead on aggregate even though they may lose on the night.

19:15 | 47th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 17:21 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Ryu Eun Hee has closed the gap for Györ a little. After Anna Vykahireva is knocked down Tomás Hlavatý takes the opportunity for a timeout, trying to steady his team's nerves. They are not out of the tie yet. 

19:12 | 45th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 16:21 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Silje Solberg is in the Györ goal now and has made a save, but at the other end Györ are not finding it easy to score either. We've had no goals by anyone for four minutes.

19:08 | 42nd minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 16:21 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Per Johansson takes a timeout. Györ need more speed in attack, he says, and Stine Oftedal reinforces that. Vipers are just two goals behind on aggregate right now.

19:06 | 41st minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 16:20 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Jamina Roberts is on fire, slotting in a couple of really nice goals to give Vipers a four-goal lead, meaning they trail by three on aggregate. Time for Györ to respond, and see if they can break past the pink wall and Katrine Lunde behind it.

19:02 | 38th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 16:18 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Just two goals in the second half still, with loads of saves - Katrine Lunde has led just a single shot through, by Bruna de Paula. Vipers are defending superbly, but can't find the way through the Györ defence in attack.

18:57 | 33rd minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 15:17 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Nobody has managed to score yet this half. Katrine Lunde has made three saves, Sandra Toft one, and Anna Vykahireva hit the crossbar on her last attempt.

18:52

Ready for the second half? Can Vipers continue to eat into Györ's aggregate lead?

18:44

During the break, Györ are honouring their legendary left back Eduarda Amorim, who left the club in 2021 and retired from handball the following year. Amorim's jersey, number 18, will be retired. 

18:40 | HALF-TIME

GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 15:17 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Vipers were not able to hold on to that early, remarkable four-goal lead, but they do go to the dressing rooms ahead and have cut Györ's seven-goal margin from the first leg down fractionally. The half ends with a penalty for each team, both scored.

Katrine Lunde has been critical, saving well over half the shots coming her way. Jana Knedlikova is currently the top scorer with three field goals and three penalties. 

18:34 | 28th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 14:15 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

It started well for Vipers but they are staying in the game, unlike last week when they trailed by six goals at half-time. Per Johansson calls a timeout to finish off the first half for the record champions. He calls for more movement in defence.

18:27 | 22nd minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 11:11 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

A key difference between the sides so far is that Györ's goals have come from eight players, while only five Vipers players have found the net. Györ's depth is showing and paying off as the game remains level.

18:22 | 19th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 9:9 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Tomás Hlavatý calls Vipers' first timeout as Györ continue to close up; he makes a few changes in his attacking line-up, but the attack comes to nothing and Veronica Kristansen levels the game. 

18:18 | 17th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 7:9 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

A few little mistakes from Vipers have allowed Györ back into the game. After Katrine Lunde made yet another brilliant save, Stine Oftedal stole the ball on the counterattack and promptly netted for the home side's seventh goal. It's a two-goal game ...

18:14 | 12th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 5:8 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Anna Vyakhireva receives a suspension and gets a rest; Ana Gros pops the penalty past Sofie Börjesson, but Vipers are still up with Katrine Lunde having made seven saves already!

18:08 | 8th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 3:7 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

Vipers are playing fast, and that paid off initially but they've lost a couple of shots to the crossbar. But Katrine Lunde - always important in crunch games - is on excellent form and the visitors are staying ahead even as Györ 

18:04 | 4th minute, GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC 0:4 VIPERS KRISTIANSAND

What. A. Start. Jamina Roberts and Jana Knedlikova score two times each in the first three minutes and give Vipers the perfect beginning to the game. 

18:00

Throw-off between Györ and Vipers!

An intriguing factoid is that both teams are fielding three goalkeepers. Will defence be key to success?

17:50

It's Match of the Week time! Two teams with bags of EHF Champions League experience at the highest level - but Györ hold all the cards, playing at home with a seven-goal advantage. What can Vipers do to turn this around?

Tune into EHFTV now for live coverage with commentary from Chris O'Reilly!

17:42

Before we move on to MOTW, a word on Cristina Neagu, who finished as the top scorer for her side (again) with six goals today and 103 across the season. She won't be the competition's top scorer, but she has again delivered for her side time and time again.

17:39

CSM's Grace Zaadi is disappointed, telling the on-court camera that she thinks Bucharest missed aggression, particularly in the first half. She also thinks the team needs stronger individual players, and is incredibly disappointed despite the fight that CSM put up.

Meanwhile Hatadou Sako is off to join Györ next season, but she finishes her time in Metz on a high. Here's her reaction straight off the court.

17:30 | FULL-TIME

METZ HANDBALL 29:23 CSM BUCURESTI

Metz beat CSM 56:47 on aggregate!

The party in Metz began long before the final whistle, as Metz romped home with a few more goals and a few more saves to make CSM's hurt that bit worse. There was nothing much the visitors could do, as the Metz players on the bench celebrated long before the final minute.

Metz are through to the EHF FINAL4 for the second time in three years, after losing to FTC Rail-Cargo Hungaria in the quarter-finals last year. CSM miss out at this stage for the fifth time in as many quarter-final appearances.

17:22 | 55th minute, METZ HANDBALL 25:22 CSM BUCURESTI

CSM have come back a bit, but it's Metz's game now. Emmanuel Mayonnade calls a brief timeout, and there's a reminder from one of the players to keep cool heads.

17:16 | 50th minute, METZ HANDBALL 24:19 CSM BUCURESTI

Hatadou Sako stops a Crina Pintea goal and opens her arms wide to the audience's appreciation. As Anne Mette Hansen follows up with another goal, it's another timeout for CSM.

"It's time to be crazy, but also be stable," says Adrian Vasile. There's 10 minutes left, and CSM need a huge eight-goal turnaround to force penalties. 

17:10 | 46th minute, METZ HANDBALL 21:18 CSM BUCURESTI

Adrian Vasile calls a timeout, with lots of advice for Elizabeth Omoregie, always a key player for CSM. His side trail by six goals on aggregate and with less than 15 minutes to play, time is starting to run out for the comeback they so desperately want.

17:07 | 44th minute, METZ HANDBALL 20:17 CSM BUCURESTI

We've had a prolonged period with very few goals. There have been saves, misses and blocks and not much going in. Finally, Chloé Valentini breaks through for a three-goal lead.

16:58 | 37th minute, METZ HANDBALL 18:16 CSM BUCURESTI

There's been no change between the posts yet and Laura Glauser continues to keep her team in the fight with some excellent stops. Cristina Neagu's fourth goal of the match - her 101st of the season - makes it a one-goal game, but Chloé Valentini wastes no time in replying to keep Metz two ahead.

16:51

Just half an hour until we find out the first team on their way to Budapest!

16:37 | HALF-TIME 

METZ HANDBALL 15:14 CSM BUCURESTI

Metz's tempo and defensive efforts have allowed them to stay just in front of their opponents, but there's really not much in it still. Hatadou Sako has made some big saves, but then so has Laura Glauser, who knows many of the Metz players well. However, the home team go to the dressing room with a four-goal aggregate lead over the two ties, and CSM still need to step up to challenge for the win. 

Louise Burgaard is the top scorer at the break with six goals from seven shots. Cristina Neagu has now reached 100 goals for the season!

16:31

We're being treated to some excellent handball here in Metz!

16:27 | 24th minute, METZ HANDBALL 11:11 CSM BUCURESTI

With Laura Glauser slowly getting into her rhythm, CSM have had a few more chances and have levelled this match. Metz still lead on aggregate, but it's pretty close!

16:20 | 17th minute, METZ HANDBALL 8:6 CSM BUCURESTI

Nobody is having any luck with penalties today - Laura Glauser made an excellent stop of Sarah Bouktit's last effort. 

CSM have taken a timeout, but Metz are currently just in control in this lively game, as we come into the second quarter.

16:13 | 12th minute, METZ HANDBALL 6:5 CSM BUCURESTI

CSM have responded to Metz's start and Cristina Neagu got them back level, but they soon pulled ahead once more, narrowly.

16:08 | 7th minute, METZ HANDBALL 4:2 CSM BUCURESTI

Metz have had a fast and aggressive start, conceding one two-minute suspension and a penalty just now, but lead 4:2. Hatadou Sako makes a great save of the penalty throw taken by Cristina Neagu, and the fans in yellow are all behind their team right now.

16:00

Time for throw off! Follow the match live ticker here.

15:50

Just 10 minutes until throw-off in Metz, and coverage of the first game has begun on EHFTV. Grab a drink and snack and settle in for 60 minutes of handball drama!

15:40

Staying on the MOTW before we turn attention to Metz vs CSM fully, here's Vipers' training session at the Audi Arena in Györ yesterday.

And here's Györ's squad for today's match.

15:30

The second match today, throwing off at 18:00 CEST, is the Match of the Week, which will have English commentary. Györ host defending champions Vipers, with one of these two teams - who have between them won the last six EHF FINAL4 tournaments - destined to miss out on Budapest for the first time in four years. Györ last missed out on the EHF FINAL4 in 2014/15. Vipers have missed it twice in six Champions League seasons, including 2019/20 when the EHF FINAL4 was cancelled and they finished the shortened season fifth in their main round group.

EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu spoke to Györ line player Kari Brattset Dale, formerly at Vipers, about the team's hopes for today's game and their chances of maintaining the seven-goal lead they take into the second leg. 

15:15

First up today, Metz Handball welcome CSM Bucuresti with a narrow three-goal margin to defend on their home court. Metz have lost just five games in 45 home matches in the Champions League, while 2016 champions CSM want to make it fifth time lucky in the quarter-finals after losses in the four previous seasons.

There's another landmark to look out for today as well - three goals for Cristina Neagu would mean the extraordinary Bucuresti left back would hit 100 Champions League goals for a fourth year running. 

Here's Metz's squad.

15:00

It is Saturday afternoon, three o'clock, time to start wrapping up our season-long Golden Road to Budapest with the very last step: welcome to the live blog for the all-decisive second leg of the EHF Champions League Women quarter-finals!

So, who is going to make it to the EHF FINAL4 at MVM Dome in Budapest on 1/2 June?

We saw three away wins for Esbjerg, Györ, and Metz and one home victory for Bietigheim in the first leg last week, but each tie is far from decided yet – especially since we saw earlier this week in the men's competition that even a nine-goal deficit from the first leg can still be turned into a ticket to the EHF FINAL4.

Are you ready? All you need to know about this weekend's quarter-final matches is right here in our second-leg preview written by EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu: