CSM Bucharest defeated Rapid Bucharest 26-25 in a club friendly match on 6 August 2026. The two sides met in Bucharest for a pre-season encounter that offered little margin for error. CSM Bucharest held on for a one-goal victory, extending a run of five consecutive wins across all competitions.
Rapid Bucharest came into the fixture with mixed results from their recent outings. They drew three of their last five matches and lost once, with only a single win against Baia Mare. This friendly followed a 27-27 draw with Dunăre Brăila the day before, suggesting they were still finding their rhythm. To be fair, the hosts showed resilience in those draws but lacked the cutting edge to close out results.
CSM Bucharest arrived in far stronger form. They had beaten Corona Brăila 36-24 the previous day and maintained a winning streak that stretched back to May. Their recent results included victories over Brest Bretagne, Târgu Jiu, and HC Zalău, all by comfortable margins. By then, they looked like a side that had found its identity for the new season, came for a cross he never reached when it mattered most in the final moments.
The final score of 26-25 tells only part of the story. Both teams scored in the 20s, which is typical for handball friendlies where defensive organisation often takes a back seat. The narrow margin suggested CSM Bucharest were not entirely comfortable despite their superior recent record. They kept knocking on the door but had to work for every goal against a Rapid side that refused to surrender.
For Rapid Bucharest, this result adds another entry to a mixed pre-season campaign. They showed they could compete with a team in better form but struggled to take the points. For CSM Bucharest, the win extends their run and provides confidence heading into competitive fixtures. The heat took the sting out of the result for the hosts, but the one-goal defeat still leaves questions about their consistency.