FTC-Telekom will play in their first-ever women’s Champions League final after producing a remarkable comeback to dethrone reigning champions Sant Andreu in a dramatic penalty shootout in Malta.
The Hungarian side trailed 4-1 after the opening quarter, 6-3 at half-time and 10-7 early in the fourth, but refused to go away. They did not lead once during regular time, yet somehow found a way back, levelling the match for the first time since 0-0 with just 52 seconds remaining before winning 15-14 on penalties after an 11-11 draw.
The result sends FTC into a historic final against Olympiacos, who defeated Assolim CN Mataro 14-12 in the second semi-final. Fittingly, both finalists were beaten semi-finalists last season and met in the bronze-medal match 12 months ago. Now, they will meet for the biggest prize in European club water polo.
Sant Andreu had looked on course to repeat last year’s semi-final success over Fradi after making another lightning start. Elena Ruiz was central to the Spanish side’s early dominance, scoring as the title-holders raced into a 4-1 lead after eight minutes. FTC struggled badly in attack, missing several extra-player chances, while Sant Andreu defended with discipline and punished mistakes at the other end.
Fradi slowly worked their way into the game through Dora Leimeter, Dorottya Szilagyi and Rita Keszthelyi, but Sant Andreu remained in control. Ruiz continued to cause problems and eventually finished with five goals, helping the Spaniards take a 9-7 advantage into the final period.
When Nona Perez made it 10-7 at the start of the fourth, FTC looked in serious trouble. But the response was outstanding. Bea Ortiz turned in a rebound from close range, Eleftheria Plevritou struck from extra, and although Sant Andreu moved 11-9 ahead, Fradi kept coming. Plevritou scored her fourth goal of the evening to make it 11-10, before Noa de Vries squeezed in the equaliser inside the final minute.
The shootout was just as tense. Both goalkeepers made early saves, before FTC reserve goalkeeper Alexandra Kiss produced the decisive stop against Queralt Anton. Leimeter then converted the winning penalty to send Fradi into history.
Olympiacos joined them in the final after edging Mataro in a high-quality second semi-final. The match began at a furious pace, with the teams locked at 4-4 after the first quarter and 7-7 midway through the second. But a crucial 3-0 run before half-time changed the contest, with Vasiliki Plevritou, Abbey Andrews and Christina Siouti helping the Greek side move 10-7 ahead.
Mataro fought back through Jewel Roemer and Tilly Kearns, but Olympiacos held firm. Ioanna Stamatopoulou made a crucial fourth-quarter penalty save from Roemer, before Foteini Tricha scored the decisive goal for 14-11 with 2:25 remaining.
Olympiacos, three-time European champions, have now reached the Champions League final for the sixth time in the last nine editions — underlining their status as one of the great modern powers of the women’s game. But FTC, after one of the great Final Four comebacks, will believe history is there to be made.
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