15:35
Here's the list of players that Emmanuel Mayonnade can count on today. Last week, Cléopatre Darleux played a big role in Metz's win, after blocking 22 shots at 55 per cent efficiency and winning the Player of the Match award. In attack, Sarah Bouktit leads the charts for Metz with 30 goals scored so far. Who will shine today for the French side?
15:27
So who are the favourites this afternoon? Let’s take a look at some key facts from their shared history.
Today marks an important milestone for both sides, as CSM Bucuresti get ready to enter their 150th EHF Champions League Women match, while Metz are celebrating their 200th. Both teams have three previous EHF FINAL4 participations, with Metz’s last appearance being in the 2023/24 final weekend in Budapest, when they unfortunately missed out on winning a medal.
In their previous encounters, CSM managed to grab victories in three out of 10 matches, but all of them on their home court — which might prove to be pivotal in today’s clash as well. Experience will also have a say this afternoon — six of the previous 10 duels were quarter-final matches; CSM came out on top in 2017/18, Metz in the most recent ones, in 2018/19 and 2023/24.
15:16
Hungarian centre back Petra Vamos joined Metz Handball this summer and the young star has enjoyed a perfect start to the international season. The French champions have nine points after five rounds in group A and they hope to keep this record intact. Their success comes from a well-balanced team, which features both experienced players and young talents — including Petra Vamos, who has already scored 14 times this season.
Petra shared insights on her experience in France so far with our EHF journalist Béla Müller. Read below the candid feature with Metz’s newcomer.