FTC-Telekom arrive in Malta with history in their sights, as the Hungarian champions prepare to face defending champions CN Sant Andreu in the Women’s Champions League Final Four.
The semi-final, which takes place on Wednesday at 19:00, is a repeat of last year’s meeting in Piraeus, when Sant Andreu beat FTC 10-7 before going on to claim their first Champions League title.
One year later, the same fixture returns with a very different feeling around the Hungarian side.
Last season, FTC were newcomers to this stage. They reached the Final Four for the first time, finished fourth, and left Greece with the sense that they had taken an important step, but still had ground to make up on Europe’s very best.
This time, they travel as domestic double winners, Hungarian champions, and one of the strongest squads in the competition.
FTC have lost just once in 31 matches this season, and even that came only after a penalty shootout against Vouliagmeni in the Champions League group stage. Since then, their European campaign has gathered momentum. They beat Rapallo twice, defeated Spandau Berlin home and away, and then responded to the earlier loss against Vouliagmeni with an impressive 13-8 victory in Athens.
In the quarter-finals, they were even more convincing. Drawn against Hungarian rivals UVSE, FTC took control with a 16-9 first-leg win before completing the job with an 18-16 victory in the return match, advancing 34-25 on aggregate.
Domestically, their form has been just as strong. After winning the Hungarian Cup in December, FTC retained the league title against BVSC, winning all three matches in the final series. The decisive third game ended in a dominant 19-8 victory, sealing the first successful title defence in the history of the club’s women’s team.
That success has been built around a squad with both depth and star power.
Rita Keszthelyi and Beatriz Ortiz, both Champions League silver medallists last season, joined the club in the summer of 2025, alongside Dorottya Kovacs-Csatlosne Szilagyi. Their arrivals added another layer of quality to a team already featuring Greta Kurucz-Gurisatti, Vanda Valyi, Eleftheria Plevritu, Leimeter Dora, Boglarka Neszmeły, Farkas Tamara and others.
Keszthelyi’s return is one of the major stories of FTC’s season. The Hungarian great suffered a serious knee injury almost three months ago, but made a remarkable comeback in the final match of the national championship final, scoring four goals as FTC secured the title. Her presence in Malta could be hugely significant, not only for her quality, but for the confidence and experience she brings to a team chasing its first Champions League final.
Standing in their way is a Sant Andreu side that knows exactly what this stage demands.
The Spanish club began the season as defending champions and produced a perfect group stage, winning all six matches against Roma, ZV De Zaan and Eger. Their quarter-final, however, was far more difficult. After drawing 11-11 at home against Vouliagmeni, Sant Andreu had to survive a dramatic return leg in Greece, eventually progressing after a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Martina Terre Martin making the decisive save.
Sant Andreu may no longer have the surprise factor they carried last season, but they remain one of Europe’s most dangerous teams. They have reached a third consecutive Final Four, and the core of the side still carries the belief of a group that lifted the trophy last year after beating Sabadell in the final.
For FTC, though, this is more than just another semi-final.
It is a chance to measure their progress against the team that stopped them last year. In Piraeus, FTC briefly took the lead but struggled to impose themselves after that, eventually falling 10-7. Since then, they have become stronger, more experienced and more complete.
They have already proven themselves in Hungary. Now, Malta offers the opportunity to prove they are ready to take the final step in Europe.
With the men’s and women’s Champions League Final Fours being staged together in the same venue for the first time, this week is already historic for European club water polo. For FTC, it could become even more significant.
No Hungarian women’s club has won the Champions League since Szentes in 1993. FTC now have the squad, form and belief to change that.
First, however, comes Sant Andreu.
And after last year’s semi-final defeat, the rematch could hardly be bigger.
Women’s Champions League Final Four
Semi-final
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 – 19:00
FTC-Telekom Waterpolo v CN Sant Andreu
Tal-Qroqq Sports Complex, Gzira, Malta
Other semi-final
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 – 21:00
CN Mataro v Olympiacos
Medal matches
Friday, June 12, 2026
19:00 – Bronze medal match
21:00 – Final
Read more about the Women’s Champions League
Read more about the water polo Champions League
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X