The group phase of the Women’s EHF Champions League is officially complete, and the knockout picture is now crystal clear. Borussia Dortmund secured the final play-off ticket in dramatic fashion, while Storhamar’s European journey came to an end. With four teams already through to the quarter-finals, the race for the remaining spots promises high-intensity battles.
The final round of the group stage delivered high drama. Dortmund booked the last available play-off position despite defeat away to Győri Audi ETO KC, doing just enough across the group phase to finish ahead of Storhamar in the standings.
For the Norwegian side, elimination was confirmed after failing to climb into the top six of the group. Dortmund, meanwhile, kept their European hopes alive and now shift their focus to the decisive knockout clashes ahead.
Directly into the quarter-finals
Four teams have secured a direct ticket to the quarter-finals after finishing in the top two of their respective groups:
Győri Audi ETO KC
Metz Handball
Brest Bretagne Handball
CSM București
These four sides now await their opponents from the play-offs as the road to the Final4 continues in the EHF Champions League Women.
Play-off match-ups confirmed
The teams placed third to sixth in each group will battle it out over two legs for the remaining quarter-final spots. The play-off pairings are as follows:
HC Podravka Vegeta vs Team Esbjerg
Borussia Dortmund vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria
Ikast Håndbold vs CS Gloria 2018 Bistrița-Năsăud
DVSC Schaeffler vs Odense Håndbold
Two matches. Four winners. Quarter-final tickets on the line. The knockout stage is set, and from here on, there is no margin for error.