The stage is set in Glyfada, Berlin, and Trieste as the Qualification Round of the 2024/25 Women’s Euro Cup kicks off. From October 26, fierce battles are expected in all three venues as water polo teams vie for coveted spots in the Euro Cup main round. The top three teams from the two groups of five, and the top two from the group of four, will advance.
Group A Preview (Glyfada)
Teams Competing:
- ANC Glyfada (GRE)
- Panionios GSS (GRE)
- Digi Eger (HUN)
- III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)
- Grand Nancy (FRA)
ANC Glyfada, hosts of Group A, have bolstered their squad with significant new signings over the summer, including Isabel Williams, Angeliki Gkilla, Alexandra Kalaitzi, Vasiliki Laskaridou, Zoi Tzortzakaki, and Lily Turner. Playing on home soil at the Glyfada Nautical Sports Club will give them an added advantage as they aim to qualify for the main round. Glyfada recently finished third in their Champions League qualification group—higher than any of their Group A competitors—and will look to replicate that form.
The main threat comes from Digi Eger (HUN), who are in excellent form, having won all their national league games so far. However, their Hungarian rivals, III. Keruleti TVE, have struggled, losing three consecutive matches in Hungary’s OB I league, including back-to-back defeats to Eger in both the league and Champions League qualifiers.
Greek side Panionios GSS is another team to watch. They’ve started the A1 Greek League strongly, matching Glyfada with two wins from two. On the other hand, Grand Nancy (FRA) will need to overcome a rough spell after suffering four straight losses in the recent Champions League qualifiers, where they finished with a disappointing goal difference of -40.
Key Matchups:
- ANC Glyfada vs Digi Eger
- Panionios GSS vs Grand Nancy
Group B Preview (Berlin)
Teams Competing:
- ZV De Zaan (NED)
- Ethnikos (GRE)
- EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP)
- Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
- Hapoel Yoqneam (ISR)
Spandau 04 (GER) will hope home advantage at the SSE Swimming Complex in Berlin can turn the tide after their winless Champions League qualification round. Their rematch against EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP), who narrowly beat them 12-11 last time, will be a key fixture. Clara Diaz of Catalunya was instrumental in that victory, scoring seven goals to ensure her side avoided finishing bottom of the group.
Dutch side ZV De Zaan enters as one of the group favorites, having secured Euro Cup bronze last season. De Zaan’s confidence will be high after impressive wins over Panionios and Rapallo Pallanuoto in the Champions League qualifiers.
Struggling in both the national league and international competitions, Ethnikos (GRE) faces an uphill battle to secure a top-three finish. Similarly, Hapoel Yoqneam (ISR), despite spirited performances, narrowly missed out on points in their Champions League campaign, losing 16-15 to Ethnikos in a thriller.
Key Matchups:
- Spandau 04 vs EPlus CN Catalunya
- ZV De Zaan vs Hapoel Yoqneam
Group C Preview (Trieste)
Teams Competing:
- Tenerife Encheyde (ESP)
- Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)
- Lille UC (FRA)
- Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)
In Trieste, all eyes will be on Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), last season’s Euro Cup runners-up, as they begin their quest for glory at their home pool, the ‘Bruno Bianchi’. The team will rely heavily on their home crowd and experience after narrowly missing out on the title last season.
Their Italian rivals, Rapallo Pallanuoto, are coming off a nail-biting 12-11 loss to FTC-Telekom in their Champions League qualifier, and they will be looking to bounce back strongly in this group.
Lille UC (FRA) will be eager to improve on their near-miss last season, where two close defeats to ZV De Zaan cost them a place in the Final Four. Spain’s Tenerife Encheyde could also be a threat, having finished third in their Champions League qualification group. They’ve shown strong form, including a win over Ethnikos and a close battle against last year’s champions, Plebiscito Padova.
Key Matchups:
- Pallanuoto Trieste vs Rapallo Pallanuoto
- Tenerife Encheyde vs Lille UC
Watch the Euro Cup Live
Catch all the live action from the Women’s Euro Cup 2024/25 Qualification Round on Euro Aquatics TV. Don’t miss out on the thrilling matches as teams battle it out for a place in the main round!