CSM Bucharest’s dream of reaching the Champions League final ended in Budapest, after a 32-27 (17-13) defeat to the French team Metz. Although the game started under the sign of balance, the opponents raised the level along the way and broke away decisively, obtaining the qualification in the last act of the competition for the first time in history.
For the team from Bucharest, the most effective players were Maslova, with seven goals, Ostergaard, with four, and Omoregie and Pintea, each with three successes. On the other side, Boutktit scored eight times and Valentini contributed seven goals to Metz’s success.
CSM Bucharest had reached the Final Four Tournament after a spectacular double in the quarter-finals, where they eliminated Esbjerg. The Romanian vice-champion qualified directly for this phase of the competition thanks to the second place in group B.
Champion of Europe in 2016, CSM Bucharest returned to the Final Four after an eight-year break, the last appearance being in 2018, when it won the bronze medal.
The second semi-final will also be played today, between Brest and Gyor, from 19:00.
The grand final is scheduled for Sunday, from 19:00.
