The 2025/26 Women’s Champions League reaches its climax in Malta this week, with four of Europe’s elite clubs battling for continental glory.
Defending champions CN Sant Andreu, Spanish league winners Assolim CN Mataró, Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, and ambitious Hungarian giants FTC Telekom Waterpolo have all earned their place in the Final Four, each arriving with a compelling case for lifting the trophy.
Olympiacos chasing a fourth European crown
No club in Malta boasts a richer Champions League pedigree than Olympiacos. The Greek giants have reached the podium eight times, winning the competition in 2015, 2021 and 2022.
Olympiacos arrive in Malta fresh from securing both the Greek Championship and Greek Cup, completing a domestic double and underlining their status as one of Europe’s most consistent forces.
Their quarter-final victory over seven-time champions Sabadell sent a powerful message to the rest of the field. The Greek side swept aside the Spanish giants 27-20 on aggregate, avenging last season’s semi-final defeat.
Led by stars such as Abby Andrews, Stefania Santa and Maria Myriokefalitaki, Olympiacos will face Mataró in a fascinating semi-final. The Greeks defeated the Spanish side when the teams met in the 2024 Final Four and will be looking to repeat the feat.
Mataró arrive unbeaten
If any team enters Malta with momentum, it is Mataró.
The newly-crowned Spanish champions are the only club across both the men’s and women’s competitions to remain perfect in Europe this season, winning all 10 of their Champions League matches.
Their route to Malta has been the longest, beginning in the qualification rounds before progressing through the group stage unbeaten and eliminating SIS Roma in the quarter-finals.
Mataró recently ended an eight-game losing streak against domestic rivals Sant Andreu to capture the Spanish title, a breakthrough that could prove decisive mentally should the two sides meet again in the final.
Australian Olympic silver medallists Tilly Kearns and Jewel Roemer have played key roles throughout the campaign, while head coach Dani Ballart continues to build one of Europe’s most complete teams.
Sant Andreu seeking back-to-back titles
Twelve months ago, Sant Andreu produced one of the most dramatic finishes in Champions League history.
Trailing Sabadell 8-6 with less than three minutes remaining in the 2025 final, the Barcelona-based club scored three unanswered goals, including Queralt Anton’s winner with just two seconds left, to claim a historic first European title.
Now the defending champions return to the Final Four looking to become the first team since Sabadell to successfully defend the trophy.
Sant Andreu navigated a difficult quarter-final against Vouliagmeni, recovering from multiple deficits across both legs before eventually advancing via a penalty shootout in Greece.
The Spanish side remains unbeaten in Europe this season and will once again rely on stars such as Martina Terre, Ariadna Ruiz and Elena Ruiz as they prepare for a heavyweight semi-final against FTC.
FTC eye historic breakthrough
While Olympiacos and Sant Andreu have already tasted Champions League glory, FTC are still chasing a first European crown.
The Hungarian champions have assembled one of the strongest squads in Europe, featuring Rita Keszthelyi, Bea Ortiz, Elefteria Plevritou, Vanda Vályi and Greta Kurucz-Gurisatti.
FTC have lost only once all season, a penalty shootout defeat to Vouliagmeni in the group stage, and responded by winning every remaining Champions League match.
Their quarter-final demolition of fellow Hungarian side UVSE showcased their attacking firepower, with FTC scoring 34 goals across the two legs.
Having finished fourth at last year’s Final Four, Mark Matajsz’s side arrive in Malta determined to take the next step and potentially become the first Hungarian club to win the competition since Szentes in 1993.
Semi-finals set for Malta
The action begins on Wednesday with defending champions Sant Andreu facing FTC Telekom Waterpolo, before Olympiacos take on Mataró in what promises to be a high-quality Spanish-Greek showdown.
With three former champions and two unbeaten teams still standing, the 2026 Women’s Champions League Final Four may be one of the most competitive editions in recent memory.
By Sunday evening, only one team will leave Malta as the queens of European water polo.
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