French champions Metz faced Glassverket, the CL-debutants from Norway in the third round. The home team was still waiting for their first victory in the top European competition, while Metz was intending to strengthen their position behind unbeaten Buducnost in the race for the Main Round. The French side made it clear from the first minutes that they are the better team, and played well and confidently throughout the whole first half. They were up by seven goals when the whistle blew after 30 minutes which was more than comfortable for the visitors. However, the beginning of the second half brought a completely new match: the Norwegians came back biting and fighting, and with nine goals without a French response, they took the lead 17:15. But when the first Glassverket victory seemed close enough, Metz managed to find the way to make a last twist in the game. They proved in the final minutes that they are the more experienced team in the competition and won two important points. The French girls seem to be in a good position for the Main Round, and the Norwegians are still waiting for their first ever victory in the EHF Champions League.
EHF Champions League, Group A, 3rd round
Glassverket – Metz 22-24 (8-15)
Glassverket: L. Bjoernsen 4, E. Christensen 4, J. Andenaes 3, B. Haraldsdóttir 3, T. Merg 3, M. Iversen 2, M. Wolff 2, M. Leipart 1
Metz: A. Gros 7, X. Smits 6, M. Maubon 6, G. Zaadi 3, J. Luciano 1, S. Pop-Lazic 1
Penalties: 1/1 ; 4/6
Suspensions: 14 minutes ; 8 minutes
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