For the first time in the history of the Women’s Champions League, two French clubs will battle it out for a spot in the final of the most prestigious competition. BBH and Metz HB have successfully navigated the quarter-finals to earn the right to dream: to conquer Europe. With the EHF Finals on May 16 and 17 in Dijon, the Butagaz Energie League will be well represented in European competition.
Finalist in the 2021 edition, BBH will return to the Hungarian capital on June 5 and 6. In the quarter-finals, the Brestois overturned the Romanian club Bistrita. After a narrow but crucial victory in the first leg (36-35), Raphaëlle Tervel’s players dominated their opponents with a clear 36-30 win, sealing their qualification. “We took a bit of time to get into the match, but from the 45th minute, especially defensively, we were really in the groove we wanted to show. And physically, we more than held our own. We were also able to rotate a bit more, and that was felt. I think that made the difference in the end. We are really happy to be able to finish the season in Budapest. It was a goal at the beginning of the season, maybe even a semi-goal, because we’re not going there to sightsee. Like the other three teams, ” said the coach.
Will history repeat itself for BBH? Winner twice with Györ (2013 and 2014), Raphaëlle Tervel knows the path to ultimate victory. And its challenges as well: the draw this Monday was not kind to Oriane Ondono and her teammates. The Brestois will face the double defending champion, Györ, in the first semi-final on Saturday, June 6. The Hungarian team is the clear favorite. Since the introduction of the Final Four in 2014, Györ has only missed one edition (in 2015) and has won six of the eleven titles up for grabs. This underlines the magnitude of the task facing the Brestois who have already achieved a similar feat. In 2021, the Breton club had indeed beaten Györ in the semi-finals before losing in the final to the Norwegian team Vipers Kristiansand.
The Dragonnes are on a mission. For the third consecutive year, a remarkable achievement, the Messines will also end their season in Budapest. Returning from Romania with a draw, the Dragonnes suffocated Bistrita to take a 6-goal lead at halftime. A cushion that would prove decisive in the return quarter-final, before a better controlled but insufficient second half. The fans could rejoice and prepare for their traditional trip to the Hungarian capital. This nice habit has so far been filled with frustrations: out of the four Final Fours played, Metz HB has only had one success: against Team Esbjerg in 2018 to clinch 3rd place.
RESULTS AND SCHEDULE
Quarter-finals:
Gloria Bistrita (Rou) – Brest Bretagne Handball: 35-36 and 36-30
Team Esbjerg – CSM Bucharest (Rou): 26-25 and 27-37
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria – Metz Handball: 31-31 and 28-31
Odense Handbold (Dan) – Györ Audi ETO KC (Hon): 28-36 and 25-40
Raiffeisen Bank EHF FINAL4 2026 – MVM Dome – Budapest (Hungary)
Semi-finals:
Saturday, June 6:
15:00: Brest Bretagne Handball – Györ Audi ETO KC (Hon)
18:00: Metz Handball – CSM Bucharest (Rou)
Finals – Sunday, June 7:
15:00: 3-4 places
18:00: final
