The players of Brest Bretagne gave it their all, but the victory ended up at Györi ETO KC. A similar tight affair brought two points to Team Esbjerg, while both Odense HB and HB Ludwigsburg built up huge margins in group B triumphs.
If there ever was a time for Brest to succeed against Györ, the Sunday game certainly was it. Clarisse Mairot scored twelve goals and Brest got really new the opponent in the end. After several ties, Brest has certainly found some key to hurting Györ within 60 minutes, this time 32 all with two minutes to to led to vital goals from Dionne Housheer and Bo van Wetering as Györ kept their undefeated streak and moved to first spot of the group.
Vipers Kristiansand fought very well with an extended injury list and suddenly found an opening to the lead with twelve minutes to go. However, Henny Reistad wouldn’t accept a loss and secured enough space for twelve goals in all. Marit Røsberg Jacobsen also found the net towards the end and Esbjerg provided enough shot power to not allow any further equalisers in the final minutes.
Györ, Brest Bretagne and Esbjerg is joined by Odense HB in the top half of the table. Rapid Bucharest was no threat in the second half, with the likes of Andrea Aagot Hansen (nine goals) and Althea Reinhardt (38 percent saves) Odense rushed to 32–24.
Ludwigsburg´s two away wins takes the German champion to fifth position. The final sprint against Buducnost meant 19–11 in the second half and Mareike Thomaier saw many solutions (seven goals) from her centre back position.
– This was an important game for us and we knew it would be difficult. We played well and showed that we are a better team, said Ludwigsburg´s Jenny Carlson to eurohandball with 36–25 as the end result.
Champions League
Buducnost–HB Ludwigsburg 25–36 (14–17)
Team Esbjerg–Vipers Kristiansand 30–29 (15–13)
Brest Bretagne–Györi ETO KC 34–35 (17–20)
Odense HB–Rapid Bucharest 32–24 (14–12)