On Sunday afternoon in Denmark, Odense Håndbold produced a superb comeback in the dying minutes of the first leg of the EHF Champions League Women play-offs to take an impressive win, 25:24, against Brest Bretagne Handball.
PLAY-OFF, FIRST LEG
Odense Håndbold (DEN) vs Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) 25:24 (13:12)
- inspired by four goals from back Helene Fauske, Brest embarked on a 6:2 run to start the second half, which looked to be the turning point of the match
- but Odense turned the game around with a 4:1 run, capitalised by a strong finish, with two penalties converted by line player Maren Nyland Aardahl
- Odense relied on their depth, with right back Dione Housheer, their top scorer this season, inspiring her side with five goals
- Brest's superb pair of goalkeepers – Sandra Toft (three saves) and Cléopâtre Darleux (four saves) – had an unusually quiet afternoon against Odense
- Brest Bretagne will host the second leg in Brest, France on Sunday 3 April
- the winner of the tie will face Hungarian powerhouse Györi Audi ETO KC in the quarter-finals
Brest look set to defend their home court
Monika Kobylinska's strong shot from 10 metres helped Brest Bretagne minimise the damage against Odense Håndbold, who secured a 25:24 home win in the first leg of the EHF Champions League Women play-offs. Brest led by three goals with less than 13 minutes remaining, but they let the win slip after struggling under pressure in the closing stages.
Their amazing home credentials – six wins from seven games this season in the group phase – will be seriously tested in the second leg. However, the French champions are still favoured to progress to the quarter-finals.
