CSM Timișoara — Dinamo București: 27:26, Liga Nationala

CSM Timisoara secured a 27-26 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the National League on Thursday. The result shifts the table dynamics after three matchdays, with the home side moving into contention while the visitors' perfect record came to an end. By then, the league was already showing signs of being tighter than expected.

Steaua Bucharest had entered the fixture unbeaten, sitting top of the standings with six points from three games. CSM Timisoara, fourth with five points, knew a win would keep them in touch. The match delivered something unexpected — the visitors failed to hold their advantage despite their earlier dominance.

Our prediction had backed the away side at 63 per cent confidence. It did not come to pass. The match found a different rhythm than anticipated, with CSM Timisoara refusing to yield when the pressure mounted. What shifted things remains unclear, but the result speaks for itself.

CSM Timisoara's recent form had been inconsistent, including a heavy 35-25 loss to Steaua earlier this season. They had drawn with Potaisa Turda on their last outing before this victory. Steaua Bucharest, meanwhile, had shown resilience with a 25-25 draw against Skanderborg in their most recent fixture before this defeat.

The result means CSM Timisoara now sits on five points, just one behind Steaua's six. The gap between first and fourth has narrowed to a single point. Both teams remain in contention for the title, and the league is shaping up to be more competitive than the early standings suggested.