It wasn’t without a bit of tension, but it is now confirmed that Odense Håndbold and Györi Audi ETO KC will play in this year’s Champions League Final Four.
For Odense, it will be their debut in the Champions League Final Four, after knocking out FTC from Hungary in the quarterfinals. They secured their advancement in Hungary, where Odense won 25–24, thanks especially to a strong performance by Althea Reinhardt. The goalkeeper had a save percentage of 46 percent and was the key match-winner for Odense.
Odense had previously been eliminated in the quarterfinals three times, but have now secured the club’s first-ever Final Four appearance.
In the other quarterfinal, it wasn’t quite as close, but Ludwigsburg – who played the final against Györ last season – certainly gave the reigning champions a real fight.
The Hungarian powerhouse won Saturday’s quarterfinal 29–22 after a brilliant performance by Hatadou Sako in goal, who made 14 saves as Györi secured a spot in the Final Four for the tenth time in eleven attempts.