LIVE BLOG: Ambitious Ludwigsburg stay ahead in Bucharest

• round 3 of the EHF Champions League Women 2024/25
• MOTW: Rapid Bucuresti are looking to keep their unbeaten streak, welcoming HB Ludwigsburg on Sunday, at 16:00 CEST
• also on Sunday:
  • 14:00 CEST: Storhamar Handball Elite vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 21:27
  • 16:00 CEST: Nykøbing Falster Håndbold vs Metz Handball
• read the review of Saturday's matches here and check out the group standings
• Iulia Burnei reporting on Sunday; all photos courtesy of the home teams

SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

15:55

Before we turn our full attention to the MOTW, just a quick reminder that the last group A match of round 3, between Nykøbing Falster Håndbold and Metz Handball, will also start at 16:00 CEST. But don't worry, you can follow all the matches live on EHFTV (geo-blocking may apply).

15:42

Excitement builds as the fans start to take their seats in the arena. The players are in full focus mode and are getting ready to end their warm-up session. Less than 20 minutes until throw-off!

15:31

HB Ludwigsburg arrive in Bucharest after two tough losses in the opening rounds, against Odense and Györ. Even though they count on more international experience — it’s their seventh start in the EHF Champions League Women, compared to their Romanian opponents’ third appearance in the competition — the German club can expect an intense MOTW. Their previous experiences in Romania haven’t been successful, as they’ve never managed to win here against local teams.

Thus, Rapid Bucuresti boast the advantage of the home court and they will be powered by the amazing energy of the Romanian fans. Newcomer Polina Gorshkova hopes for a great show on Sunday afternoon.

15:17

Big ambitions highlight Rapid Bucuresti’s 2024/25 campaign in the European premium competition. After reaching the quarter-finals in their debut 2022/23 season, the Romanian side had a disappointing journey last year and failed to progress from the group phase. Now, they’ve had a dreamy start on the European stage, grabbing a home win against Buducnost and stunning everyone with a hard-fought draw at Vipers. 

The Romanian club is determined to reach new heights, but the challenge won’t be an easy one — as Milena Raicevic told our EHF journalist Danijela Vekić. Read what the Montenegrin player had to say about her Romanian team and the clash with HB Ludwigsburg.

15:05

Another week, more EHF Champions League Women action! Welcome to the live blog of the Match of the Week in round 3 between Rapid Bucuresti and HB Ludwigsburg. As the saying goes, the third time’s the charm, and the runners-up from last season — HB Ludwigsburg — hope to break their losing streak today and start adding points to their tally. On the other hand, Rapid Bucuresti aim to stay unbeaten in the top-flight competition, after celebrating one win and one draw in the opening rounds.

The MOTW starts today at 16:00 CEST, live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions may apply). Stay tuned!