Four teams seek first points in round 5; top clashes in France and Hungary
After four group phase matches, five teams boast a perfect record in the EHF Champions League Women 2026/27, but at least two of them will drop their first points in round 5, as Györi Audi ETO KC host Metz Handball in the Match of the Week in group A, while Brest Bretagne Handball take on FTC-Toyota Kovács in group B.
Six more encounters are scheduled for Sunday, and Team Esbjerg — who are also enjoying a winning streak — will play at CSM Bucuresti, while Nykøbing Falster Håndbold and Gloria Bistrita clash in another Danish-Romanian duel.
I think FTC are coming into this game with a team that has a lot of individual and collective quality. They have good international players in every position, and they’re showing that they want to achieve something big this season. With the players they have, I think they are definitely among the favorites. For us, the most important thing is to be well prepared, stay focused on ourselves, and make sure we’re ready for the match.
I have great memories of the arena in Buducnost. I played my first Champions League match there with Byasen, and back then there were 8,000 spectators in the stands. Both teams are chasing their first points in this year's Champions League, so it should be an exciting match.
We are looking forward to playing against Borussia Dortmund. They are a very tough opponent, having won their last two games in the EHF Champions League. They have a lot of international players and a strong home court, so we know it will be a big fight. However, we travel to Dortmund with confidence from our last game against Brest. We believe in the process and that we can perform well there, but of course, we will see how it goes.
It is always a special feeling to play against Metz, as it is the club where I have made so many memories and experienced so many great moments. I really love the people there, so it is always nice to see my friends again, even if it is just for a match. We hope the arena will be sold out! We must not forget that the defending Champions League winners are coming to Györ, so we will need our fans, a lot of noise and a truly fiery atmosphere in the arena.
The match against Györ is a key fixture in our quest for the top two places in the Champions League group. Direct qualification for the quarter-finals is at stake! It will also be a special occasion, with a great reunion against a historic opponent. We are determined to deliver the best performance possible. The objective is clear: to remain consistent and intense for the full 60 minutes, so that we can come away from this match without any regrets.
We know it’s going to be a tough game against one of the best teams in the world. It’s a good opportunity for us to focus on ourselves and play our game, because we have nothing to lose in this match.
First of all, they are a very good team. They demonstrated this recently against Odense, whom they defeated away from home. I certainly wouldn't say playing against them will be easy; they play at home, fight hard, and stick together. They play a fast-paced style of handball, so we need to be focused and ready for them — especially regarding their one-on-one play and their outside shooting. At the same time, we need to focus on ourselves and our own game. We must travel there prepared and give our absolute best.
To play against Gloria Bistrita will be a tough and difficult game for us. I recognize they have good players in all positions, and work well as a team. We are lucky to have them in our own Arena with all our great fans supporting, and we will fight hard to keep the points in Nykøbing.
Nykøbing is a team with great individual and collective tactical resources. Their ball speed in attack is extremely high. They are also very adept at playing seven-on-six offence. I believe our chances of winning the match at a venue as tough as Nykøbing’s depend on playing solid defence for the full 60 minutes.
