EHF European League Women: Quarter-Finals Set as Competition Heats Up
The 2025/26 EHF European League Women group phase has concluded, paving the way for an exciting quarter-final stage. Eight teams from eight European nations will compete for the coveted trophy, with the EHF Finals scheduled for May 16th and 17th in Graz, Austria.
A Diverse Field Reaches the Last Eight
This year’s quarter-finalists represent a broad spectrum of handball talent. Romania and Germany lead the way with three teams each, while Hungary, Norway, France, and Denmark contribute two teams apiece. Croatia and Poland each have one representative in the final eight.
The teams advancing are Nykøbing Falster Håndbold and Viborg HK (Denmark), Motherson Mosonmagyaróvári KC and MOL Esztergom (Hungary), reigning champions Thüringer HC (Germany), CS Rapid București (Romania), JDA Bourgogne Dijon HB (France), and RK Lokomotiva Zagreb (Croatia).
Tight Contests Define Group Stage
Group A proved to be the most fiercely contested, with Thüringer HC, Motherson Mosonmagyaróvári KC, and Minaur Baia Mare all tied on six points heading into the final matchday. Thüringer HC ultimately secured first place due to a tiebreaker advantage over Motherson, earned through head-to-head results.
MOL Esztergom dominated Group B, finishing undefeated in their last five matches after an initial loss. Group C saw CS Rapid București, led by Estavana Polman, reach the quarter-finals despite a single defeat in their final match against RK Lokomotiva Zagreb. Group D concluded with JDA Bourgogne Dijon Handball topping the standings, narrowly ahead of Viborg HK.
Hungarian Showdown Guaranteed
A guaranteed Hungarian presence in the EHF Finals is assured, as Motherson Mosonmagyaróvári KC will face fellow Hungarian side MOL Esztergom in the quarter-finals. This internal battle promises a thrilling contest for a place in the final stages.
Reichert Leads the Scoring Charts
Thüringer HC’s Johanna Reichert continues to demonstrate her scoring prowess, leading the competition with an impressive 71 goals in just six matches. She holds a significant lead over Katarina Krpez-Slezak of Corona Brașov and Maja Furu Sæteren of Larvik, both with 49 goals.
Quarter-Final Matchups
The quarter-final pairings are as follows:
- Nykøbing Falster Håndbold (DEN) vs Thüringer HC (GER)
- Motherson Mosonmagyaróvári KC (HUN) vs MOL Esztergom (HUN)
- Viborg HK (DEN) vs CS Rapid București (ROU)
- RK Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) vs JDA Bourgogne Dijon HB (FRA)
The first legs will be played on March 21st and 22nd, with the decisive second legs scheduled for the following week.
FAQ
Q: Where will the EHF Finals take place?
A: The EHF Finals will be held in Graz, Austria on May 16th and 17th.
Q: Who is the top goal scorer in the competition?
A: Johanna Reichert of Thüringer HC is the current top goal scorer with 71 goals.
Q: Which countries are represented in the quarter-finals?
A: Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Romania, France, and Croatia are represented in the quarter-finals.
Q: Are there any all-national quarter-final matchups?
A: Yes, Motherson Mosonmagyaróvári KC will play against MOL Esztergom, creating an all-Hungarian quarter-final.
Did you grasp? Estavana Polman of CS Rapid București, the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship MVP, played a key role in her team’s advancement to the quarter-finals.
Stay tuned for updates on the quarter-final matches and the road to the EHF Finals!
