The quarter-finals race still on after Ikast's and CSM's important wins

• the French side can't find a solution for Ikast this season - the first match ended 39:36 in Scandinavian favour, in a reverse fixture they were closer but lost narrowly with the good outing of Sarah Bokutit (8 goals) and Kristina Jörgensen (7 goals)
• Ikast's Markéta Jerábková scored 11 times in her side's fifth consecutive undefeated game and took over the top-scorer list, with her tally now at 87
• CSM Bucuresti got their revenge against the German side and claimed their fifth win in the last six CL games, while BBM Bietigheim had to accept their third defeat in a row
• Bietigheim's Gabriela Goncalves stepped up a game, finishing the day with 15 saves; Cristina Neagu led the Romanian side, netting six times
• Katharina Filter stole the spotlight on Sunday - Brest's goalkeeper secured a win after stopping an unbelievable 20 Sävehof attacks
• IK Sävehof are now on a 16-game losing streak in the top-tier, having their last win against Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK (29:26) in January 2022

GROUP A

CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) 31:28 (17:10)

Bieigheim are having trouble finding their game since the restart of the EHF Champions League Women in early January, prolonging their negative streak to three. CSM Bucuresti came on top and celebrated the eighth win of the season after two different halves. It looked like it was going to be an easy job at home, making a decisive seven-goal lead already at halftime. Yet, they survived the scare in the second half. Gabriela Goncalves mustered six saves in 11 minutes of the second part and gave the German side new impetus, cutting the Romanian lead to two (18:20). It was back-and-forth between the two - to every CSM's larger lead, Karolina Kudalcz-Gloc and Antje Döll responded with goals in quick succession. In the end, CSM endured all and kept the dreams of a second spot in group A alive ahead of the crucial clash against second-placed Odense.

Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) vs IK Sävehof (SWE) 28:23 (10:9)

It was not their best display, but Brest kept their unbeaten run. 'Masterful goalkeeping display' sums up the first 30 minutes of the clash in France. Katharina Filter's name was repeated over and over again as Brest's goalkeeper had 13 saves at 77 per cent save efficiency after 20 minutes. On the other side, Johanna Bundsen was not far behind with 45 per cent. Both teams were not at their best, struggling in the attack producing only ten goals while Brest kept a narrow lead. There was more pace in the second half but the two sides locked themselves in a nip-and-tuck battle until the last ten minutes of the game. Valeriia Maslova and Pauletta Foppa helped Brest reach the biggest lead in the game (22:18), determining the winner as their opponents could not make a comeback. Nothing changed for the teams as they remained in the same position  - fourth place for the French side and bottom of the table for Sävehof.

GROUP B

Ikast Handbold (DEN) vs Metz Handball (FRA) 35:34 (18:16)

For the second time this season, Ikast managed to beat Metz and left everything open in the battle for the two quarter-final spots ahead of the last group phase round. It was a high-paced game with Metz showing great fighting spirit but the home team were determined to prove their class. Despite Hatadou Sako saving the day with a few important saves, Metz could not make a break and were trailing in the first half but by no more than two goals. The second half brought a better home team performance and with 11 Markéta Jerábková's goals, Ikast got their hands on a five-goal lead. Metz never gave up, continued to pounce and closed the gap to one only a minute before the final buzzer as even a draw would be enough. However, the hasty attack and Irma Schjött's reactions left them empty-handed. With a win, Ikast are now only one point behind the leading duo - Metz and Esbjerg.