Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Sunday, February 22, 2026, 12:02 / Updated Sunday, February 22, 2026 12:10
CSM Bucharest defeated Ikast 33-24 and finished the Champions League regular season second in Group B, qualifying directly for the quarter-finals. After the match, Cristina Neagu, who supported the team from the stands, spoke about the team's progress and the prospects for the elimination phase.
On Saturday, February 21, CSM Bucharest achieved its eighth consecutive victory in the Champions League, reaching a record of 10 games won and 4 lost.
Cristina Neagu, after CSM Bucharest – Ikast 33-24: “A difficult opponent is coming”
Retired from professional handball in June 2025, the former captain of the Bucharest team commented on the evolution of the team:
“Honestly, I expected it, especially as they have evolved lately, they were coming after seven wins in a row. The away wins were extremely important.
In the quarters comes a difficult opponent, I don't even know what is best for them. I think the only advantage would be home field advantage on the return. Esbjerg seems to be on an upward trend. CSM is now in top form and I hope it stays there until the decisive match.
I think that at the moment, yes, CSM is facing the Final Four. It's a peak of form and I don't know if there's any growth at this point. Hard to believe, I think this is the maximum. They have to keep it for the quarter finals. That's where the Final Four is played,” said Cristina Neagu, according to as.ro.
Asked about coach Bojana Popovic, Neagu said: “It's clearly her hand, I could say 100%, they're just the same players.”
CSM Bucharest finished in second place in group B. It will play in the quarter-finals with the winner of the Podravka – Team Esbjerg play-off. It will be the chance of revenge against the Danes. They also stopped CSM in the quarters of the last edition. The matches are to be played on April 18/19 and April 25/26. The return will be in Bucharest.
Cristina Neagu's individual performances
-
the best handball player of the year (IHF) in 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018
-
best rookie of the year (IHF) in 2009
-
the best scorer in the history of the European Championship
-
named the left winger of the ideal team in the Champions League
-
five times she was the best handball player in Romania
-
three times he was the left midfielder of the ideal team at the European Championship
-
the best player (MVP) at the World Championship
-
twice she was the best player (MVP) at the World Cup
-
four times top scorer in the Champions League, World Championship and European Championship
