Lekic salvages draw for FTC; Metz extend winning run

• Andrea Lekic scored 10 goals, including a late equaliser, and helped FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria save a point at Ikast Handbold
• with a draw, both teams ended their streaks: FTC had boasted a three-game winning run, while Ikast had lost three consecutive matches 
• Metz extended their winning streak to six matches, beating Vipers Kristiansand in a hard-fought match, 31:29
• CSM Bucuresti claimed the biggest win of the day, a 44:26 against WHC Buducnost BEMAX, and are now unbeaten in the last four games
• late dominance powered Odense Håndbold to a hard-fought win against SG BBM Bietigheim, who suffered their fourth defeat in a row

GROUP A

SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) vs Odense Håndbold (DEN) 25:28 (10:11)

In a hard-fought match, Odense ultimately had the upper hand, and with the victory they improved their chances for a top two finish in group A and a direct quarter-final spot. Now the Danish team are three points ahead of the third-placed CSM, so their win at Bietigheim was quite important. It was not an easy game for Odense, as the home side, who were looking to end a three-game losing run, took a 4:0 lead in the opening minutes and Elma Halicevic received a red card. However, the Nordic team should be given credit, as they managed to overcome all difficulties and take control of the game in the crucial minutes. Goalkeeper Yara ten Holte also played an important role as she ended the match with 16 saves.

CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs WHC Buducnost BEMAX (MNE) 44:26 (24:15)

The Romanian team delivered their biggest win of the season with an 18 goal victory over Buducnost. Following this success, CSM have leapfrogged Beitigheim and climbed to the third position in group A. In Bucharest, the home side demonstrated their fire power from the opening minutes, taking a 13:7 lead midway through the first half. By half-time, the hosts had scored 24 goals, and they continued to fire from all cylinders the rest of the way. Buducnost, who have claimed just one point away from home during the current European season, failed to hold back Vilde Ingstad and Cristina Neagu, who scored eight and seven goals respectively, as CSM cruised to a commanding win.

GROUP B

MOTW: Ikast Handbold (DEN) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 28:28 (17:16)

In the reverse fixture last October, FTC earned a narrow 37:36 win at home, and Ikast seemed to be on the way to a revenge win, as they were 27:24 in front in the 55th minute and ahead 28:26 with two minutes to go. However, the unstoppable Andrea Lekic had a crucial impact in the end, as her ninth and tenth goals (just five seconds from the final buzzer) helped the visitors to avoid a defeat. Lekic, who is now the top scorer of the competition with 61 goals, was on fire from the start, as FTC took a 12:8 lead in the 18th minute. However, Ikast turned the tide and were in lead at half-time. After the break, both teams relied on good goalkeeping, as the home team's Andrea Austmo stopped 41 per cent of shots, and FTC's Blanka Böde-Bíró 43 per cent. In the end, Ikast ended their three-game losing run, but FTC felt happier after salvaging a point so late in the game.

Metz Handball (FRA) vs Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) 31:29 (13:14)

Just like their previous meeting in October where Metz won 34:36 in Norway, Metz again beat Vipers by two goals. The current titleholders opened with a 6:3 lead early and forced Metz's coach Emmanuel Mayonnade to take his first timeout. The timeout seemed to help, as the French team drew level at 7:7 midway through the half and then pulled in front 11:8, but a string of Katrine Lunde saves helped Vipers to hit back before the break. The visitors were also the better side early in the second half, but then Metz woke up and started to punish their rivals for every mistake, and retook control of the match. Kristina Jorgensen finished with nine goals, and five minutes from full time, the hosts led by six goals, 30:24, and all Vipers could do was to cut the deficit.