Rapid Bucharest lost the Champions League quarter-final first leg by six goals to reigning champions Vipers Kristiansand 31-25 (18-12).

Rapid Bucharest – Christiansann 25-31 – Mission Impossible to qualify for the Final Four

Reaching the quarter-finals after a surprise qualification against Krim Ljubljana, Kim Rasmussen’s men failed to pull off a miracle against the Norwegians from Kristiansand.

Buoyed on by a large crowd that sold out in just half an hour a month ago, the speedsters struggled to keep pace with the Champions League holders but found themselves leading 18-12 at half-time.

In the second half, “Rapid” managed to move away from “Kristiansan” by four goals, but in the end, the difference is the same as at the break, and the return mission becomes impossible.

Grozav (5 goals), Bucheski (4), Ostase (3), Badea (2), Gutierrez Bermejo (2), Kassoma (2), Lopez (2), Polman (2) were the main scorers in Rapid.

The return match will take place in a week in Norway.

Quarterfinals of the Women’s Handball Champions League

Odense – Gyor 27-29

Ferencvaros – Metz 26-32

Rapid Bucharest – Christiansann 25-31

Esbjerg – CSM Bucharest / Sunday 17:00

The final four will be held in Budapest on June 3-4.