Article by Adrian Jitea – Published Friday, March 27, 2026, 5:04 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 27, 2026, 5:06 p.m.
Gloria Bistrița receives the visit of Ikast on Saturday, from 7:00 p.m., in the decisive match for qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Handball Champions League. Coach Carlos Viver received more good news.
- If it passes Ikast, Gloria Bistrita will play in the quarter-finals against Brest. The tour will be at home (April 18/19), the return in France (April 25/26).
Gloria Bistrita prevailed in the Danish tour leg, score 35-34and starts with the first chance on the return. Among the advantages will be the full house, but also some individual aspects.
Inside left Danila So Delgado (24 years old) has received confirmation that he will be able to play. Iberica had received a straight red card at the end of the trip to Ikast and there were fears of a possible suspension. That was not the case. So Delgado was the best player on the tour, scoring 11 goals. She showed up full of energy at training today.
Renata de Arruda: “We can write history!”
The goalkeeper is also in great shape and eager to play Renata de Arruda (27 years old). The Brazilian recently gave an interview for the EHF website.
Renata de Arruda
“I didn't expect the Ikast match to be so difficult for us. But their Scandinavian style of handball put us in trouble. The gap after the first half was quite big, but we did a good job after the break.
I always say that I am not alone on the field, even if I am alone in my area. It's a team effort, a goalkeeper always depends on the defense in front. In the first half at Ikast we made too many mistakes, which put us in a bad position. But after the break, the team improved in attack, we also played better in defense, which helped turn the tide in our favor.
I don't think it will be any easier at home, even with our supporters behind us. The chances are still equal to qualify. But we've prepared well for this game and we'll see what happens.” Arruda said.
Last year we knew it would be difficult to reach the play-offs and we didn't make it. But now we have more experience, it helped us get more wins. The home win against Esbjerg was memorable, the Danish team has a lot more experience at this level, but we tried to play our game and got a somewhat unexpected win. We succeeded, and now we want more and more. We expect to win the next game against Ikast and we can make history, even if I don't like to think in those terms
– Renata de Arruda
From next season, the Brazilian goalkeeper will change the team. He will remain in Romania, but at Corona Brașov: “Life works in cycles, and the current cycle is coming to an end. Now I feel I will be happier somewhere else. Actually, I had the same feeling when I moved from Spain to Romania. The league is very strong, the matches are unpredictable. And I love the country, that's why I'm not leaving it. Unfortunately, I don't have time to travel a lot and visit more places in Romania, but I feel good here”.
207 interventionshas Renata de Arruda in this Champions League season (31% efficiency)
