Article by Adrian Jitea, Cosmin Nistor – Published Saturday, June 06, 2026, 6:11 p.m. / Updated Saturday, June 6, 2026, 6:18 p.m.
CSM Bucharest missed qualifying for the Champions League final, after losing to Metz, score 27-32, in the semifinal played on Saturday in Budapest. At the end of the match, Elizabeth Omoregie and Anne Mette Hansen analyzed the causes of the failure and already looked towards the bronze medal match.
The Romanian champion had a difficult mission in front of the French formation and was unable to find solutions to stop the fast play of those from Metz. The numerous misses and counterattacks of the opponents made the difference in a semifinal in which CSM had to run almost constantly for the result.
Elizabeth Omoregie, after CSM – Metz 27-32: “We let them score too easily”
One of the leaders of the Bucharest formation admitted that the team did not enter the match as they would have liked and believes that the poor start was decisive.
“I think we didn't start the game the way we wanted. We let them score too easily and when we had to score we were unlucky. I hit the bar and had many other misses. I fought, but it wasn't enough.
It's definitely different when you compare a Final Four to other competitions. There was pressure and maybe I didn't handle it in a positive way. I had a good feeling before the game, I don't know exactly what went wrong and I don't want to jump to conclusions now, but it was definitely not our best game.”
Asked what made the difference in the semi-final, Omoregie praised the organization of her opponents and admitted she felt she could have given her team more.
“Metz prepared the game very well, both individually and collectively. Unfortunately, I feel I could have done more for my team, but this is handball and we have nothing to do.”
Sunday's game will have a special load for the game coordinator, located at the end of the road at CSM Bucharest.
“For sure it will be a special game for me tomorrow. I'm closing my chapter here and my dream was to play the final. We didn't make it, but we can still fight for the bronze medal, and as long as we don't leave here empty-handed, that's fine.
We learn from our mistakes and I'm sure you'll see a different team on the pitch tomorrow.”
Anne Mette Hansen: “We didn't score, and that was the biggest problem”
And Anne Mette Hansen emphasized the low efficiency in the attack. The Dane believes that Metz took full advantage of every favorable situation.
“I think we played a decent game but we didn't score and that was our biggest problem today. Then they were very good on the counter-attack, especially through the wings. I think that was the main reason for the defeat. Not necessarily the mistakes, but the fact that we got frustrated when we didn't manage to score, and against a team like Metz it's very difficult.
In fact, I think we created a lot of clear goal chances. We just couldn't finish. And when you miss such opportunities, you no longer have the same positive energy, nor the satisfaction of having built a good attack. I think that's what we lacked today, along with a bit of luck. I also had a ball in the crossbar.”
Hansen also explained how difficult it is to manage turnovers against a side like Metz.
“Metz are a very, very good team. It's extremely difficult when your shots are blocked and the ball goes straight to them and then they go straight on the counter-attack. We've talked about this before, that we need to have clear actions so that everyone can get back on the defensive. But when you lose the ball in front of them it's almost impossible. They're very fast and I think it's hard for any team to deal with situations like that.”
“It's not enough just to create your chances”
The left midfielder of the Romanian champion also highlighted the performance of the opposing goalkeeper, who played an important role in the qualification of the French.
“I think they scored more easy goals than us. That gave them an advantage and gained confidence. Besides, we missed a lot. I think their goalie had a really good percentage, I don't know exactly how much, but I heard he finished with 17 saves. It's a lot if you want to reach a final.
If you want to win such matches, you have to score more. It's not enough just to create your chances.
For tomorrow we have to bring a lot of energy. It will be an extremely difficult match. We don't have much time to recover and both teams will try to get their last win of the season. We will have to give everything we have to win, but I really hope we can find the energy and pull it off.”
