̋ Audi (Gyo ̋ Audi ETO KC Hungary), a traditional Hungarian powerhouse, won a thrilling 25-24 victory over HB Ludwig Germany in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 EHF Women’s Handball Champions League, setting the stage for advancing to the semifinals.
The match, held at the MHP Arena in Ludwigburg, Germany on the 19th (local time), was a “big match return match” in which the two teams competed fiercely in the final last year and the group stage twice, and the match continued throughout the match.
Cateau Audi led the attack with seven goals by Bruna de Paula and four goals each by Dione Housheer and Christina Jörgensen, and goalkeeper Sandra Toft led the team to victory with 15 saves.
사진 확대 Photo by Corye Audi goalkeeper Sandra Toft and players cheer after blocking a shot in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the EHF Women’s Handball Champions League 2024/25 EHF. Photo Source = Kyori Audi
In Ludwigshburg, Viola Leuchter scored five goals and Mareike Thomasier and Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc each scored three goals to lead the attack, and goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen made 14 saves, but did not prevent her team’s defeat.
Early in the game was led by Kyory Audi. Two minutes into the game, Bruna de Paula’s back-to-back score and goalkeeper Sandra Toft’s back-to-back saves added to make it a 2-0 lead. However, Ludwigshburg immediately fought back, tying the game 2–2, regaining the momentum.
Midway through the first half, Cateau Audi led 10-6 after scoring four straight goals for Bruna de Paula. However, Ludwig followed again with a steady stream of organization, and around the 21st minute, Dione Hauscher’s two-minute exit put the doctrine outnumbered and tied it at 12-12.
Kyodo Audi faced a crisis afterwards, but just before the end of the first half, Bruno de Paula was in charge of scoring again and finished the first half with a 16-14 lead.
At the start of the second half, Ludwigshburg turned the mood around with a sharp move. Viola Roichter scored three goals in a row, starting with a mid-range shot, and succeeded in turning the tables 17-16.
Since then, the game has been unfolding under intense tension. Cateau Audi managed to balance it with a goal from Ragnhild Kristiansen, but Ludwigshburg again scored seven metres and continued their lead to 19-18 around the 43rd minute. After a four-minute scoreless period, Ludwigshburg widened the gap to 22-20, and the momentum seemed to lean completely towards Ludwigshburg.
Five minutes before the end of the game, the most dramatic moments took place. Dione Hauscher faced a crisis with a third two-minute exit, but Sandra Toft completely blocked a seven-metre shot to turn the tide. Kristine Breistöl then tied the game at 24-24 with a powerful mid-range shot, and the game went back to square one with about 2 1/2 minutes left.
And a minute before the end of the match, goalkeeper Sandra Toft made another crucial super save. Chateau Audi, who had the last chance to attack, got a seven-metre chance and Christina Jorgensen calmly scored to seal a thrilling 25-24 one-goal victory.
[Kim Yongpil, MK Sports Reporter]