After their last meeting under the lights of the MVM Dome in Budapest in the 2024/25 final, Odense and Györ crossed paths again in another high-stakes clash. Györ lifted their seventh title last year with a 29-27 win, but just like then, Odense refused to back down.
In fact, the Danish side showed the better game for large spells of the first half, only to falter towards the end as mistakes started to pile up.
Györ's vast experience came to light as they stretched the lead to six goals, forcing Odense to chase the game and trying to keep the tie alive ahead of the return leg, but as the nerves crept in, it reflected on their confidence.
In the end, it was another first-leg defeat for Odense at this stage — just like in 2018/19 and 2022/23, when Györ went on to progress after winning both legs.