The reactions of both teams after Gloria Bistrita produced the surprise in the Champions League, achieving victory against Esbjerg: “The attack beat the defense”
Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Sunday, October 26, 2025, 5:10 p.m. / Updated on Sunday, October 26, 2025, 5:10 p.m.
Gloria Bistrita prevailed 38-35 (19-18) against the Danish team Esbjerg, in the 5th stage of group A of the Champions League, and both coaches highlighted the evolution of the goalkeeper Renata De Arruda, but also the superiority of the attack over the defense.
Romania's second representative in the Champions League, Gloria Bistrița, pulled off a surprise in the fifth round of group A matches.
Playing very well offensively, with inspired solutions and schemes, and having great support in goal in Renata De Arruda, the side led by Carlos Viver won 38-35 against the Danes from Esbjerg.
Carlos Viver: “A victory built on unity and team spirit”
“It is an extremely important day for us, especially because of the respect we have for Esbjerg“, said the Ardelense coach, Carlos Viver. “It was a game where both teams' offenses were superior to their defenses“, he added.
“Renata made a huge contribution in this game at important moments and that helped us win the game, but the whole team worked together exceptionally well“, said the Spanish technician, pointing to the Brazilian goalkeeper who saved 14 balls out of 49, but many in key moments of the duel. Viver also managed a victory against Esbjerg in the Champions League, on October 9, 2022, 34-32, while coaching Rapid Bucharest.
A victory built on unity and team spirit. Now we celebrate, but from the next day we start again with the same determination to prepare the match with Rapid – Carlos Viver
Coach Carlos Viver on Gloria Bistrita's bench Photo: Facebook/Gloria Bistrita
Pivot Lorena Ostase, who was the main scorer, with 9 goals, appreciated that “we played well, but we also had some problems, we struggled at certain moments. We are happy for the victory, I think no one expected us to win, but the harder the match, the more beautiful the victory becomes. Thank you to the supporters who were, once again, with us – you are amazing and give us energy every step of the way!“.
Esbjerg coach: “We knew we were facing a team with valuable players”
As for Esbjerg, who are now in 4th place in Group A with 4 points (two wins and 3 losses), coach Tomas Axner lucidly analyzed the evolution of his players.
“Congratulations to Gloria Bistrita for their performance and their attitude. They played well in attack. We knew we were facing a team with valuable players, with many qualities, strong and well organized,” he said.
“What we showed was not enough in defence. We expect more from ourselves and we failed defensively. We scored 35 goals, that should be enough in attack, but the fact that we conceded 38 goals is a clear sign and a lesson for us going forward“, elaborated Axner.
I think goalkeeper Renata De Arruda made a big difference in this match. It is a deserved win for Gloria, as far as we are concerned, we will work to improve the game in the next matches – Thomas Axner
“I think we lost in defense too, we need to work harder, Gloria played very well at home and definitely deserved to win“, was the opinion of the far right Sarah Dekker, author of three goals for the Danes.
Gloria Bistrița is in 3rd place in the group, with 3 wins and two losses, and the next match gives her hopes for a new victory, when she will meet, on November 2, away from last ranked Buducnost.
