For twelve years, Barceloneta had been trying to find their way back to the biggest game in European club water polo.
On Thursday night in Malta, they finally did it.
The Spanish champions defeated two-time defending champions FTC-Telekom in a dramatic penalty shootout, ending Ferencvaros’ dream of a third straight Champions League title and sending Barceloneta into their first final since 2014.
That year remains historic for the club. Barceloneta reached the Champions League final for the first time and lifted the trophy. Since then, they have been regular contenders, but the return to the final had never quite come. Semi-final defeats, narrow margins and missed opportunities had built into a heavy burden.
Against FTC, that burden finally lifted.
Unai Aguirre was at the centre of it. The Barceloneta goalkeeper produced a huge performance across regular time and the shootout, making key saves as the Spanish side survived a Ferencvaros comeback and held their nerve from five metres.
Speaking after the game, Aguirre made clear that Barceloneta had not come to Malta simply to take part.
“We came here to win the Champions League,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “Today was an important first step.”
It was a statement that matched Barceloneta’s performance. Without their leading scorer Vince Vigvari, ruled out through injury shortly before the Final Four, the Spaniards had to adjust. They could not rely on the same attacking firepower. Instead, they built their semi-final around defensive discipline, organisation and collective sacrifice.
For much of the first half, it worked perfectly. Barceloneta controlled the rhythm, limited Ferencvaros’ extra-player threat and built a 6-3 lead. But FTC, as champions do, fought back. The Hungarians levelled the game, then twice moved ahead in the fourth quarter.
At 9-8, Ferencvaros had a man-up chance to go two goals clear. Aguirre saved again. Moments later, Alessandro Velotto scored his fourth goal of the night to make it 9-9 and force penalties.
From there, Barceloneta were perfect.
For head coach Fran Fernandez, this was not only a tactical victory. It was also an emotional one. A former Barceloneta player and part of the club’s 2014 European triumph, Fernandez has lived the weight of the club’s pursuit of a second Champions League title.
“Los deportistas somos asi de cabezones,” he told Mundo Deportivo — “that’s how stubborn athletes are.”
That stubbornness has carried Barceloneta back to the final. Year after year, they have kept coming. In Malta, against the reigning champions, they finally broke through.
Fernandez praised his team’s identity, especially in a match where they had to defend with even more intensity because of Vigvari’s absence. Aguirre also spoke about the release of winning a penalty shootout against Ferencvaros, particularly against a goalkeeper of Soma Vogel’s quality.
Now, Barceloneta have one more step to take.
On Saturday night, they will face Pro Recco for the Champions League title. It is one of the biggest possible finals European water polo can offer: the most decorated club in the competition’s history against a Barceloneta side chasing only the second European crown in its history.
After twelve years of waiting, Barceloneta are back where they believe they belong.
And, as Aguirre made clear, they are not finished yet.
Quotes and post-match reaction sourced from Mundo Deportivo, with reporting by Marta Perez in Malta.
Read more about the Women’s Champions League
Read more about the water polo Champions League
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X