Team Esbjerg began brigthly, but Helle Thomsen's CSM Bucuresti managed to control the danger of Esbjerg star Henny Reistad after the break as the Danes ended up losing the first of two Champions League quarter-finals 29-30 away against the Romanians.
Esbjerg must therefore win the return match at home if they is to secure a place in the Final Four event on May 31 and June 1 in Budapest, Hungary.
Danish national team profiles Michala Moller and Mette Tranborg both performed poorly in defense right under the nose of the newly appointed Danish national team coach, Helle Thomsen, who is also in charge of CSM Bucuresti.
Esbjerg, however, still managed to lead most of the first half thanks to an exuberant Reistad, who scored seven times before the interval.
Reistad is the leading goal scorer in this season's Champions League, but second place on that list is occupied by CSM Bucuresti's Elizabeth Omoregie.
The Slovenian full-back was completely beside herself on the night as Anna Kristensen saved all seven of Omoregie's attempts.
Omoregie's teammates were more successful, however, and as the air gradually went out of the Esbjerg attack, after 40 minutes, the home side equalized at 18-18.
Crina Pintea in particular created problems for the Esbjerg defense , and with 13 minutes left she brought the Romanians ahead by three with her tenth goal.
Coach Tomas Axnér tried to stop the bleeding by switching to a seven against six formation in attack and it helped the visitors towards the end of the match.
Again Reistad delivered a couple of important goals in the last minutes to keep Esbjerg's dream of making it to the Final Four alive before the return match in Esbjerg in a week.