Live blog: Teams prepare for Raiffeisen Bank EHF FINAL4

• the Raiffeisen Bank EHF FINAL4 takes place at the MVM Dome in Budapest on Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7 June
• Friday's diary includes training and media calls for Brest Bretagne Handball, CSM Bucuresti, Györi Audi ETO KC and Metz Handball
• the opening party at the MVM Dome starts at 18:00 CEST, with CSM, Metz, Györ and Brest each appearing for 30 minutes to celebrate with fans
• read the semi-finals preview
• find out where to watch the final weekend
• also check out the EHF Youth Club Trophy preview and where to watch

FRIDAY 5 JUNE

13:45

Straight from the media call, some thoughts from Metz's Johanna Bundsen and Sarah Bouktit. All the Metz players were in high demand from the media - there's lots of expectation on this team to go at least a step further than they ever have before.

13:27

The media calls have started, so we'll be bringing you some quotes soon. In the meantime, Brest Bretagne Handball are making a long-awaited return to the EHF FINAL4, five years on from their last appearance in 2020/21 when they lost the final to Vipers Kristiansand. After an excellent season, the French champions want to finish on a high – not least because head coach Raphaëlle Tervel and their influential Slovenian right back Ana Gros are both leaving at the end of the year. Gros will play her final match on Sunday and it will definitely be emotional. Here’s their video.

12:50

The build-up to the EHF FINAL4 has also included plenty of features, speaking to some of the top players in each squad. For Metz, EHF journalist Kevin Domas caught up with Chloé Valentini, who missed last year’s final weekend as she was pregnant. In September last year she gave birth, and in January returned to the court. Now, she’s expected to be one of Metz’s key players as they try to finally reach the final and win the trophy.

Read more in the feature!

12:30

Ahead of the weekend, we’ve put together four great video previews highlighting what awaits each team. First up, Györi Audi ETO KC, the reigning and record EHF Champions League Women champions. They’ve won the title six times in Budapest already (and once under the old playing system before the EHF FINAL4 was introduced) and come in again as hot favourites. Bruna de Paula explains more about the team philosophy in their video.

12:00

After Metz got to Budapest on Wednesday, the other three teams arrived in Budapest yesterday evening. Brest Bretagne's flight was a little delayed but they were in good spirits when they got to the hotel shortly after 8pm, welcomed with hugs from members of the other teams. On the court they will be rivals, but off court, everyone is united by their shared love of handball and, often, being past teammates.

Enjoy these images of the arrivals, taken by our fabulous photographers from kolektiff images!