MOTW SUMMARY: Metz stay unbeaten after thrilling win against CSM

• round 6 of the EHF Champions League Women 2024/25
• MOTW: Metz Handball kept their unbeaten streak in the MOTW of round 6 against CSM Bucuresti, after a narrow 32:31 win
• check out the day review here
• also on Sunday:
  • 14:00 CEST: Storhamar Handball Elite vs CS Gloria 2018 BN 25:23
  • 16:00 CEST: HB Ludwigsburg vs Team Esbjerg 31:36
• watch exclusive clips on our Facebook, Instagram and X channels; match highlights available on our YouTube channel
• Iulia Burnei reporting on Sunday; all photos courtesy of CSM Bucuresti

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER

18:15

We're wrapping up our live coverage and leave you with the highlights of the MOTW. The EHF Champions League Women 2024/25 will resume with round 7 on 9/10 November — you can check out the schedule here.

Hope you've enjoyed your Sunday full of handball action. Until next time, have a good evening!

18:04

If you've missed part of today's action, make sure you check out our day review below to find out all the latest info!

17:48

Here's a selection of some of the best snapshots from the MOTW. Lots of emotions this afternoon.

17:40

The Player of the Match award went to Tyra Axnér, who scored eight times to help Metz Handball remain unbeaten in the competition. Teammates Chloé Valentini and Sarah Bouktit also proved crucial in attack, managing six goals each.

15:50

The teams have now finished their warm-up and are getting ready to enter the court, with less than 10 minutes left until throw-off.

Earlier today, CS Gloria 2018 BN suffered another defeat, after Storhamar Handball Elite fought hard to take a 25:23 win. Read all about today's 14:00 CEST clash in the day review.

Also at 16:00 CEST, HB Ludwigsburg will take on Team Esbjerg in group B.

15:35

Here's the list of players that Emmanuel Mayonnade can count on today. Last week, Cléopatre Darleux played a big role in Metz's win, after blocking 22 shots at 55 per cent efficiency and winning the Player of the Match award. In attack, Sarah Bouktit leads the charts for Metz with 30 goals scored so far. Who will shine today for the French side?

15:27

So who are the favourites this afternoon? Let’s take a look at some key facts from their shared history.

Today marks an important milestone for both sides, as CSM Bucuresti get ready to enter their 150th EHF Champions League Women match, while Metz are celebrating their 200th. Both teams have three previous EHF FINAL4 participations, with Metz’s last appearance being in the 2023/24 final weekend in Budapest, when they unfortunately missed out on winning a medal. 

In their previous encounters, CSM managed to grab victories in three out of 10 matches, but all of them on their home court — which might prove to be pivotal in today’s clash as well. Experience will also have a say this afternoon — six of the previous 10 duels were quarter-final matches; CSM came out on top in 2017/18, Metz in the most recent ones, in 2018/19 and 2023/24.

15:16

Hungarian centre back Petra Vamos joined Metz Handball this summer and the young star has enjoyed a perfect start to the international season. The French champions have nine points after five rounds in group A and they hope to keep this record intact. Their success comes from a well-balanced team, which features both experienced players and young talents — including Petra Vamos, who has already scored 14 times this season.

Petra shared insights on her experience in France so far with our EHF journalist Béla Müller. Read below the candid feature with Metz’s newcomer.

15:05

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Match of the Week in round 6 of the EHF Champions League Women 2024/25. We’ve saved the best for last and we’re less than one hour away from the most exciting clash of the round, in which CSM Bucuresti host Metz Handball in the Polyvalent Hall and aim to stop the French side’s unbeaten run.

Stay with us throughout the afternoon to get the latest updates and don’t forget to also follow the matches live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions may apply). Who’s ready for top handball action?