Dijon Secures Top Spot in European League Group, Prepares for Toulon Clash
JDA Bourgogne Dijon Handball has clinched first place in Group D of the EHF European League Women, following a hard-fought 32-33 victory against Viborg HK in Denmark on Saturday, . The team returned to Dijon on Sunday afternoon, prioritizing recovery before preparing for an upcoming match against Toulon.
“We focused on recovery,” said head coach Clément Alcacer. “I felt they were doing pretty well, and it’s always easier to recover and travel when you win.” Alcacer noted the team has learned from the previous year, opting for a reduced training schedule with an emphasis on individual preparation.
Maintaining Momentum
Despite a recent defeat against Brest on (31-26), the Dijon team is determined to regain their winning form as they travel to face Toulon Métropole Var Handball. “We need to impose our game to avoid making this encounter difficult,” Alcacer stated. The team will be nearly at full strength, with only Sarah Valero (finger injury) and Rosario Urban (knee injury) remaining long-term absentees.
Alcacer highlighted a performance target established in October, aiming for four wins in every five games to match or surpass their previous season’s results. “Since Sambre [a 34-24 victory on ], we’ve been on track,” he said.
The victory over Viborg secures Dijon’s position at the top of Group D with a record of four wins, one draw, and one defeat. This placement allows them to avoid a quarterfinal matchup against Rapid Bucarest, coached by Laurent Bezeau, and instead face the second-place team from Group C – either RK Lokomotiva Zagreb, VfL Oldenburg, or Tertnes Bergen. While acknowledging the challenge posed by any opponent at this stage of the competition, this draw is considered more favorable.
Several Dijon players delivered standout performances in the win against Viborg. Stine Lonborg and Lilou Pintat both scored 8 goals, while Adriana Holejova, who joined the team in the summer of 2025, contributed 5 goals and continues to integrate effectively into the team.
Dijon now looks ahead to the quarterfinals, with aspirations of reaching the Final 4 of the European League. The location of the Final 4 has yet to be determined. A highlight package of the Viborg vs. JDA Bourgogne Dijon Handball match is available online, showcasing the hard-fought nature of the game.
The team will face Toulon Métropole Var Handball on at 7:00 PM UTC, according to Sofascore.
