The draw is set for the most anticipated weekend in European women’s handball. On Monday, the EHF confirmed the semifinal matchups for the 2026 Women’s EHF Champions League Final Four, and defending champions Győri Audi ETO KC will face a formidable challenge from France’s Brest Bretagne in Budapest next month.
The showdown is scheduled for June 6 at the MVM Dome, with the winner advancing to the championship match the following day. The other semifinal pits French side Metz HB—featuring Hungarian stars Petra Vámos and Anna Albek—against Romania’s CSM Bucuresti.
A Decade of Dominance on the Line
For Győr, this marks their 10th consecutive Final Four appearance—a testament to their sustained excellence in Europe’s premier club competition. The Hungarian powerhouse has claimed the Champions League trophy seven times, including back-to-back titles in the last two seasons. Their path to Budapest wasn’t easy: they topped Group A with a 12-2 record before sweeping Denmark’s Odense HB in the quarterfinals.
Brest Bretagne, meanwhile, enters the Final Four as the dark horse. After winning Group B, they eliminated Romanian side Gloria Bistrița in the quarterfinals. While they’ve only reached this stage once before (in 2021), their head-to-head history against Győr suggests this won’t be a one-sided affair. In 13 competitive meetings, Győr has won seven, with six matches ending in draws.
Players Weigh In on the Blockbuster Matchup
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the players aren’t shying away from the pressure. Ana Gros, a former Győr star now playing for Brest, acknowledged the challenge ahead while embracing her team’s underdog status.
“You’ll see no easy opponents in the Final Four. Of course, we know exactly how strong Győr is, but anyone who wants to win a trophy has to beat everyone,” Gros said in the EHF’s live draw broadcast. “Győr is an incredible team with incredible players—they’re always the favorites in the Champions League. We’re probably seen as the dark horse in this field, but that role suits us better than being the favorites.”
For Győr’s French goalkeeper Hatadou Sako, the matchup carries personal significance.
“We’re facing a French team, which is great because it gives me a chance to see some friends, but we know it will be a tough game because they’re also here to win the trophy,” Sako said. “I love challenges, and we always want to win everything. It’s not easy living with these expectations day in and day out, but that’s why we’re here—to meet them.”
Final Four Schedule Set
The tournament will kick off on June 6 with the semifinals, followed by the third-place match and championship final on June 7. Exact kickoff times for the matches will be announced later, with the games set for either 3:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time.
- June 6 (Saturday):
- Semifinal 1: Brest Bretagne (France) vs. Győri Audi ETO KC (Hungary)
- Semifinal 2: Metz HB (France) vs. CSM Bucuresti (Romania)
- June 7 (Sunday):
- Third-place match: 3:00 PM
- Championship final: 6:00 PM
This year’s Final Four marks the 13th consecutive edition hosted in Budapest since the format was introduced in 2014. The MVM Dome has been the venue since 2022, providing a state-of-the-art setting for handball’s biggest stage.
With both semifinals featuring French-Hungarian matchups, the tournament promises high-stakes drama and world-class athleticism. For Győr, a victory would solidify their status as the most dominant team in modern women’s handball, while Brest Bretagne aims to prove they belong among Europe’s elite.
