Pick Szeged and HBC Nantes to EHF CL TOP 8
PICK Szeged and Nantes booked their places in the EHF Champions League 2025/2026 quarter-finals, where major challenges now await them against European heavyweights.
The Hungarian side will face German powerhouse Magdeburg in the battle for a place at the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4, while Nantes will take on Barcelona.
Szeged managed to preserve the advantage earned in the first leg, which they had won 26:23, even though Kielce held a four-goal lead at one stage of the return match. In the end, the clash finished 32:32, which was enough for the Hungarian team to stay in contention for a FINAL4 berth for the second year in a row.
Serbian international Lazar Kukic played an important role in Szeged’s big success, finishing the match with six goals.
Industria Kielce – OTP Bank-PICK Szeged 32:32
Industria Kielce: Morawski, Jedraszczyk, Olejniczak 1, Sicko 8, Dujshebaev 2, Kounkoud, Maqueda 3, Ferlin, Moryto 2, Dujshebaev 4, Karalek 2, Vlah, Rogulski, Monar 1, Jarosiewicz 3, Nahi 6.
OTP Bank-PICK Szeged: Smarason 4, Bodo 3, Thulin, Fazekas, Mikler, Jelinic 5, Sostaric 5, Banhidi 2, Kalarash, Toto 2, Nikolic, Kukic 6, Garciandia 3, Mackovsek, Rod 2, Szilagyi.
Unlike the drama in Poland, Nantes settled the qualification in dominant fashion. After edging GOG 34:33 in Denmark, the French side completely outclassed their opponents in the second leg in front of their home crowd, cruising to a commanding 40:28 victory.
Rivera led the way for Nantes with nine goals, while Tournat added six and Minne and Briet also made important contributions in a convincing win for the French team. On the GOG side, Vilhelmsen was the standout performer with six goals.
HBC Nantes – GOG 40:28
HBC Nantes: Pesic, Lagarde 1, Briet 3, Minne 5, Yoshida, Rivera 9, Nyateu 1, Avelange 3, Ovnicek 3, Tournat 6, Bos 2, Gaber, Biosca 1, Abdi 3, Odriozola 2, Peyrabout 1.
GOG: Pedersen 3, Pedersen 1, Bjerre 3, Vilhelmsen 6, Pedersen 1, Johannesson, Balstad 1, Kall 1, Dalby 1, Rasmussen 3, Jespersen 2, Lykke 2, Boutaf, Lindskog 3, Mittun, Tonnesen 1.
