Barceloneta took a giant step toward defending their Spanish league crown with a commanding 17–8 victory over Sabadell in Game 1 of the 2025 Spanish Men’s Water Polo Championship Final. The reigning champions delivered a statement performance in front of their home fans and are now one win away from claiming their 20th consecutive national title.
Sabadell’s Bright Start Fizzles
Sabadell opened strongly, stunning the hosts with a quick 2–0 lead. However, their early momentum was quickly neutralized. Bernat Sanahuja netted two goals to level the score, and Gergely Burian put Barceloneta ahead 3–2 before the end of the first quarter.
In the second period, Alberto Munarriz extended the lead with a power-play goal, though Vincenzzo Renzuto Iodice briefly brought Sabadell within one (4–3). Barceloneta responded confidently and closed the half ahead 5–3.
Dominant Third Quarter Seals It
The turning point came in the third quarter. Barceloneta fired in four unanswered goals, including a penalty by Álvaro Granados, another goal from Munarriz, and strikes from Martin Famera and Granados again—this time on a man-up play. At 9–3, Sabadell’s resistance crumbled.
By the end of the third quarter, the scoreline ballooned to 12–5, with Burian scoring just before the buzzer to extinguish any remaining hope for Sabadell.
Clinical Finish from the Champions
Barceloneta didn’t let up in the final quarter, outscoring their rivals again and securing a nine-goal winning margin. The reigning champions now head into Game 2 in Sabadell with full control of the series.
Match Stats
2025 Spanish League Final (Best of Three) – Match 1
Barceloneta 17–8 Sabadell
(3–2, 2–1, 7–2, 5–3)
Barceloneta scorers: Munarriz 3, Granados 2, Sanahuja 2, Vigvári 2, Burian 2, Tahull 2, Biel 2, Perrone 1, Famera 1
Sabadell scorers: Barroso 2, Pérez 2, Valera 1, Renzuto 1, Averka 1, Corres 1
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