In an action-packed penultimate day of the Women’s Challenger Cup, defending champions Izmir Buyuksehir SK powered into the next round with a commanding win over Sliema ASC. Joining them are Vaterpolo Klub Vojvodina, VK Jadran Split, ZAVK Mladost, and Sport Lisboa E Benfica, who all secured critical victories. With three spots still undecided, the final day promises to be an intense battle.
Group A – Novi Sad (Serbia)
Vaterpolo Klub Vojvodina (SRB) 14-9 City of Manchester WPC (GBR)
Sliema ASC (MLT) 2-23 Izmir Buyuksehir SK (TUR)
Vojvodina halted City of Manchester’s campaign with a decisive 14-9 win, led by standout performances from Iulia Savchenko and Jovana Radonjic, who scored four goals each. Despite Manchester’s best efforts, including goals from London 2012 Olympian Katie Brown, Vojvodina pulled away in the third quarter with a crucial 6-2 run.
Izmir Buyuksehir SK dominated Sliema ASC with a crushing 23-2 victory. Captain Kubera Kus led the scoring spree with seven goals, ensuring their unbeaten record and a secured spot in the next round.
Group B – Valletta (Malta)
Hapoel Emek HaYarden (ISR) 4-21 VK Jadran Split (CRO)
Sirens ASC Malta (MLT) 7-15 SV Blau-Weiss Bochum (GER)
VK Jadran Split clinched their spot with a commanding 21-4 victory over Hapoel Emek HaYarden. Neli Jankovic added another four goals to her tally, spearheading the Croatian team’s dominant display. In the group’s other match, SV Blau-Weiss Bochum kept their qualification hopes alive, outlasting Sirens ASC 15-7. Amelie Perkins scored five for Sirens, but Bochum’s clinical edge secured their win.
With their spot secure, VK Jadran Split will be joined by either Bochum or Sirens, depending on the final day’s results.
Group C – Strakonice (Czech Republic)
ZAVK Mladost (CRO) 26-6 Otter Swimming Club (GBR)
Asten Johnson Strakonice (CZE) 8-11 Dalton Koleji SK (TUR)
ZAVK Mladost impressed with another high-scoring game, overpowering Otter Swimming Club 26-6. Captain Iva Rozic shone with a triple hat-trick, matching her impressive nine-goal performance from day two. Dalton Koleji SK earned a hard-fought 11-8 comeback win over Asten Johnson Strakonice, with Arik Blige netting four goals.
Dalton Koleji SK faces a tough final game against Mladost, needing a large victory margin to progress if Otter Swimming Club wins their next match.
Group D – Alba Iulia (Romania)
ZVK Crvena Zvezda (SRB) 10-15 Galatasaray Zena (TUR)
Sport Lisboa E Benfica (POR) 8-8 (5-3P) CSM Unirea Alba Iulia (ROU)
Galatasaray Zena took control in Group D with a 15-10 victory over Crvena Zvezda. Alkistis Benekou led the way with six goals, while Crvena Zvezda struggled to close the gap. Benfica qualified for the next stage after a tense penalty shootout against CSM Unirea Alba Iulia, with South African international Nicola MacLeod top-scoring for the Portuguese side with four goals.
Galatasaray needs only a draw in their final match to progress, while Benfica’s perfect record secures their spot in the next round.