The Women’s Euro Cup semi-finals remain finely balanced after two dramatic first legs saw Pallanuoto Trieste and BVSC Manna ABC earn valuable draws away from home, setting up decisive return fixtures next month.
In Barcelona, Pallanuoto Trieste were pushed all the way by European debutants Zodiac CNAB in a pulsating 12-12 draw. The Spanish side showed no signs of inexperience, matching the Italian finalists from the past two seasons with intensity and quality throughout.
After a tight opening period, Trieste captain Lucrezia Cergol led by example, scoring twice to give her side a narrow advantage. However, CNAB responded strongly in the second quarter, with Clara Diaz finding her rhythm and turning the game in the hosts’ favour by half-time.
The third period saw momentum swing again, as Trieste began to assert control through Morgan McDowall, whose four-goal burst kept the Italians in front heading into the final quarter. Yet CNAB refused to fade, with Nerea Martin and Paula Leiton inspiring another comeback.
A tense final period followed, with both sides trading goals and neither able to break clear. Trieste looked set to take a slender advantage into the second leg, but Elena Flynn had the final say, converting a late penalty to ensure the tie remains level heading into the return fixture.
Just across the city, the second semi-final delivered even more drama, as BVSC Manna ABC fought back from four goals down to secure a remarkable 13-13 draw against EPlus CN Catalunya.
The hosts started strongly, with Emmerson Houghton leading the charge. Her long-range shooting and attacking presence helped Catalunya build a commanding 6-2 lead, while goalkeeper Laura Aarts anchored an impressive defensive display.
BVSC, however, showed resilience and composure to claw their way back into the contest. Dorina Dobi and Anna Mucsy sparked the comeback late in the second quarter, before the Hungarians carried that momentum into the second half.
The third period became an end-to-end battle, with BVSC gradually closing the gap before finally drawing level at 9-9. From there, the match turned into a shootout, with both sides exchanging goals in a frantic final quarter.
Each time Catalunya edged ahead, BVSC responded, with Fruzsina Toth delivering the decisive moment. With just six seconds remaining, she found space from distance and fired past Aarts to complete the comeback and level the match for the fifth and final time.
Both ties now head into their second legs completely open, with Trieste and BVSC holding slight psychological advantages after their away performances. With finals places on the line, the return fixtures promise more high-level drama as four evenly matched sides battle for a place in the Euro Cup final.
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