Women's European Handball Hierarchy Set: Györi and Metz Headline 'Group of Death' in 2026/27 Champions League Draw

The European Handball Federation (EHF) has officially reset the continent's competitive hierarchy, releasing the updated Women's Club Rankings that will dictate the balance of power for the upcoming 2026/27 season.[1]

Published in late June, the new coefficient system moves away from subjective seeding, relying instead on a strict mathematical formula that aggregates results across the three most recent European cup campaigns.[1][6]

Despite falling short in the most recent Champions League final, Hungarian powerhouse Györi Audi ETO KC retained the number one overall spot in the rankings, amassing a formidable 694 points.[1]

Their position at the summit underscores the EHF's emphasis on sustained excellence, rewarding Györi's consistent deep runs over the 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 seasons.[1][6]

Hot on their heels is Metz Handball, the reigning European champions. The French club, fresh off their historic victory over Györi in Budapest, secured the second position with 564 points.[1][2]

The top five is rounded out by a pair of Danish heavyweights—Team Esbjerg (430 points) and Odense Håndbold (428 points)—alongside Romanian giants CSM Bucuresti (383 points).[1]

These official standings immediately shaped the landscape of the 2026/27 EHF Champions League Women, serving as the basis for the seeding pots used in the group phase draw conducted in Vienna on June 26.[1][2]

The draw produced a blockbuster scenario in Group B, instantly dubbed by analysts as a modern "Group of Death."[2][6]

Defending champions Metz Handball were drawn directly alongside #1-ranked Györi Audi ETO KC, guaranteeing a highly anticipated rematch of last season's final during the preliminary stage.[1]

The gauntlet in Group B does not stop there. Third-seeded Odense Håndbold, Romanian contenders Gloria Bistrita, and a dangerous Storhamar Håndball Elite squad from Norway ensure a grueling path to the knockout rounds.[1][2]

The EHF's country protection rule generally prevents teams from the same domestic league from meeting in the group phase.[1]

However, because Denmark successfully qualified three elite representatives for the 16-team tournament, an exception was inevitable, resulting in Odense and Nykøbing Falster Håndbold being paired together in Group B.[1][6]

Meanwhile, Group A offers its own intense battles, headlined by Danish champions Team Esbjerg, CSM Bucuresti, and French contenders Brest Bretagne Handball.[1]

For clubs like Germany's BV Borussia Dortmund and Montenegro's OTP Group Budućnost in Group A, the draw represents a critical opportunity to climb the EHF rankings and re-establish themselves among Europe's elite.[1][6]

The format for the 2026/27 season remains a grueling test of endurance. After 14 rounds of group play, only the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the quarter-finals.[1][3]

Teams finishing third through sixth will be forced to navigate a precarious play-off round, adding immense pressure to every single group stage fixture.[1][5]

The newly codified EHF standings highlight a broader trend in global handball: the necessity of deep rosters capable of surviving both domestic grinds and high-stakes European nights.[4][6]

With the official playing days set for weekends starting September 5 and 6, the hierarchy is clearly defined, but the race for the ultimate trophy remains entirely up for grabs.[1][6]