Metz survive scare to reach EHF FINAL4

QUARTER-FINALS, SECOND LEG

Metz Handball (FRA) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 31:28 (18:12)

First leg result: 31:31; Metz won 62:59 on aggregate
H2H: 11-3-10
Top scorers: Tyra Axner 8/11 (Metz Handball), Petra Simon 11/16 (FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria)

• The teams traded goals early in the game before Sarah Bouktit’s strikes sparked a 3:0 run, handing Metz a 9:6 advantage
• FTC responded and drew level at 12:12, but Johanna Bundsen’s saves helped Metz produce a 6:0 run before the break
• The Hungarian side did not give up and started the second half with an impressive 6:2 run, as their improved defence revived their hopes
• Petra Simon led by example, scoring seven of her 11 goals in the second half, but FTC failed to cut the gap to fewer than two goals
• Metz extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to seven matches, winning six of those games and drawing once

Swedish stars crucial for French side

In the last five seasons, Metz have reached the EHF FINAL4 four times. The only exception was in 2023, when they lost to FTC in the quarter-finals. However, history did not repeat itself, as the French side had the upper hand this time.

Two Swedish players led the way in Saturday’s encounter, as Tyra Axner netted eight goals, while Johanna Bundsen made 15 saves for a 37 per cent save efficiency. Notably, both stepped up late in the first half, when Metz did not concede for nine minutes and went on a 6:0 run, which ultimately proved decisive.

While FTC failed to secure an EHF FINAL4 ticket for the third consecutive year, Metz will travel to Budapest once again. In the past, they have never finished higher than third place, but this team certainly has the quality, and they will be determined to write history.