Shocking difference in the derby for the 2nd and 3rd places in the “Flower League” » How it came to disaster for the vice-champion
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7:23 p.m. / Updated Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7:26 p.m.
The first derby in the “League of Flowers” after the resumption of domestic competition, with the conclusion of the Women's Handball World Championship, was without history. Gloria Bistrița categorically defeated the reigning vice-champion, Corona Brașov, score 37-29, in a match counting for round number 10.
The first two matches of the number 10 leg were played before the final tournament in Germany and the Netherlands in November. On Saturday, December 20, the competition resumed, and after Dunărea Brăila won at home against Minaur Baia Mara, score 32-28, it was the turn of Gloria Bistrita to win the home match, although it did not seem easy at all, against Corona Brașov, a derby between the teams ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Close in terms of value on paper and separated by only one point in the standings, the two teams looked completely different on the field, the hosts playing an extremely solid match and achieving the expected success, which puts them in first place in the “Liga of Flowers”, with 18 points, tied with CSM Bucharest, which however has a game in hand.
Gloria Bistrita, easy success with Corona Brașov, with 8 goals
The hosts started strong from the start, trying to put a difference between themselves and their opponents. They were 6-3, but the group under Tâmpa came back and tied it at 6, and the match seemed to be heading for the expected balance, given the value of the two sets.
But it was not to be, as De Arruda defended incredibly in the first half, while Gloria's attack worked perfectly, and the gap was immediately restored and even increased to +6 at several times.
Burcea took risks, often attacked without a goalkeeper, and Bistrita scored many easy goals, from their own half, through Seraficeanu, Arcos or Nusser. At halftime, the hosts entered with a 6-goal lead at the cabins, 17-11.
And the second half was equally disastrous for Brasov, who had no chance to come back. The score gained proportions, it even reached a difference of 10 goals, 26-16 and 30-20.
Nothing stopped the hosts from accelerating further, they broke even at +11, and in the end Corona could only limit the proportions of the score, the game ending with only +8 for Bistrita, score 37-29.
After this match, the hosts are in first place, with 18 points, while Corona remained in third position, with 14 points.
While for Corona it was the last match of 2025, for Gloria there is another test, before Christmas, on December 23, away at CSM Galați, the “red lantern” of the championship, the team with failures on the line so far.
