GOG proceed, Kolstad are out

• Seven goals from Óli Mittún paved GOG’s way to the play‑offs, as a draw against Eurofarm Pelister was enough to advance
• The Macedonian champions still have a slim chance to follow GOG, but would need to beat both PSG and Barça in their remaining matches
• Veszprém consolidated third place in group A with a comfortable win against Dinamo, backed by nine goals from Hugo Descat
• HBC Nantes booked their play‑off ticket by beating Kolstad Håndball and even overtook Kielce to move into fourth place for at least 24 hours
• As a result, all four play‑off participants from group A are confirmed: Veszprém, Nantes, Kielce and Sporting

GROUP A

One Veszprém HC (HUN) vs Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) 35:28 (18:12)

H2H: 8‑1‑1
Top scorers: Branko Vujović (Dinamo Bucuresti) 5/12, Hugo Descat (One Veszprém HC) 9/12

After their narrow 35:36 defeat at Kielce last week, One Veszprém HC opened 2026 with a victory in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League, while Dinamo Bucuresti suffered their 11th loss in 12 matches. Despite falling behind 0:3, Veszprém quickly took control and built a six‑goal lead by half‑time. With goalkeeper Mikael Appelgren contributing 14 saves, the hosts remained solid in defence as the Romanian champions struggled with their shooting efficiency. After the break, the gap stayed between five and eight goals, and Veszprém’s seventh win was never threatened.

Kolstad Håndball (NOR) vs HBC Nantes (FRA) 26:33 (12:15)

H2H: 1‑0‑3
Top scorers: Noam Leopold (HBC Nantes) 7/10, Simon Jeppson (Kolstad Håndball) 7/12

HBC Nantes claimed their third consecutive group win and secured their play‑off berth, now standing on 12 points, while ending Kolstad Håndball’s remaining hopes of progressing. As in last week’s match against Aalborg, Kolstad kept pace during the opening 20 minutes, but Nantes turned a 9:11 deficit into a 15:12 half‑time lead. Eight minutes into the second half, Ian Tarrafeta’s goal for 21:14 effectively decided the match, with Kolstad lacking depth and options from the bench. Despite another strong performance from goalkeeper Nicola Neupart, who recorded 11 saves, the Norwegian champions suffered another clear defeat and remain on four points.

GROUP B

GOG (DEN) vs HC Eurofarm Pelister (MKD) 28:28 (15:11)

H2H: 3‑1‑2
Top scorers: Andrzej Widomski (HC Eurofarm Pelister) 7/8, Óli Mittún (GOG) 7/8

After 44 matches played across 11 rounds, group B saw its first draw of the season. And this point secures GOG a spot in the play-offs, while also the hopes of HC Eurofarm Pelister to proceed are still alive. GOG remain on sixth position with now nine points and can be passed neither by Eurofarm Pelister nor by HC Zagreb, while the Macedonian champions are seventh on five points. The hosts controlled the first half, extending their lead from 5:2 to 13:8 and maintaining a four‑goal advantage until 22:18 in the 41st minute. Pelister then tightened their defence, conceding only six goals in the final 19 minutes, and increased their attacking efficiency. A 3:0 run to 25:24 gave them their first and only lead. In a tense finish, Óli Mittún made it 28:27 before Andrzej Widomski equalised six seconds from the end. Lasse Vilhelmsen missed GOG’s final chance on the buzzer.