The Verdict from Budapest

The dust has settled on the Women's EHF Champions League Final Four, and the story has a new chapter. CSM București did not leave with gold, but they left with bronze, and more importantly, with their leader intact. Following the intense drama in Budapest, head coach Bojana Popovic, 46, has made her final decision: she is staying. The Serbian tactician, who arrived in winter, missed the historic chance to become the first person to win the Champions League as both player and coach, but the bond with the club remains unbroken.

A Hard-Fought Bronze Medal

After an eight-year drought, CSM București returned to the elite stage. The hopes were sky-high, especially when the semi-final draw pitted them against Metz rather than the powerhouse Győri Audi ETO. Yet, performance did not match expectation. A disappointing semi-final exit forced them into the small final against Brest. Here, the team found its spine. They dominated, securing a 32-26 victory (15-13 at half-time) to claim the third spot.

Goalkeepers Steal the Show

The victory was built on resilience. With Gabriela Moreschi sidelined by injury, Evelina Eriksson stepped up with an admirable performance in the goal. On the other side, Brest’s Camille Depuiset saved 14 shots, but it was not enough to counter CSM’s physical dominance. Brest coach Raphaëlle Tervel admitted defeat, citing CSM’s superior physicality. For CSM, this marks their third third-place finish in history, joining the campaigns of 2017 and 2018. Popovic expressed pride, hinting that gold could be next season’s destiny.