Buzau

Runners-up in the Liga Națională in 2025–26 is the highest anyone has finished at HC Buzău. The season before, third place in 2024–25 opened the door to the EHF European Cup; Buzău walked through it and reached the quarter-finals on the first attempt. The Super Cup final that followed brought a reminder of where the ceiling still sits — a 33–25 defeat to CS Dinamo București.

None of that looked likely from where the club started. Founded in 2012, HC Buzău spent six years in the second division before finishing runners-up in Divizia A in 2017–18 and going up to the top flight for the first time. Several seasons went into simply staying there before the results turned.

Home games are played at the Romeo Iamandi Sports Hall, which holds 1,868 — modest by Liga Națională standards. The club goes by Lupii Buzăului, the Buzău Wolves, in red, blue and white.

Behind the run to the runners-up spot was Serhiy Bebeshko, head coach through the 2025–26 season. In goal, Ukrainian Gennadiy Komok became the player most associated with the club's rise.