The draw for two major women’s competitions – the Champions League and the Euro Cup – took place today in Zagreb.
Women’s Champions League Group Stage
The top two teams from the qualifying round, along with the third-best-ranked team, Dunaújváros, joined Sabadell, Mataró, Olympiacos, UVSE, and Ekipe Orizzonte in the draw.
Reigning seven-time European champions Sabadell will begin their title defense facing Vouliagmeni, Terrassa, and Dunaújváros, while two ‘first pot’ teams, Hungarian champions UVSE and Italian champions Ekipe Orizzonte, will clash in a thrilling Group D.
Greek champions Olympiacos are drawn into Group C, alongside Alimos, who are expected to challenge them fiercely in both this competition and domestically in the Greek league.
Three groups feature two or more teams from the same league: Sabadell and Terrassa from Spain occupy Group A, Olympiacos and Alimos face off in Group C, and Budapest rivals UVSE and BVSC will battle it out in Group D.
Group A – Astralpool Sabadell (ESP), NC Vouliagmeni (GRE), CN Terrassa (ESP), Dunaujvaros (HUN)
Group B – CN Mataro (ESP), Polar Bears Ede (NED), FTC-Telekom (HUN), Plebiscito Padova (ITA)
Group C – Olympiacos (GRE), Alimos NAC Betson (GRE), SIS Roma (ITA), GZC Donk (NED)
Group D – UVSE (HUN), Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA), BVSC-Zuglo (HUN), Sant Andreu (ESP)
Women’s Euro Cup
The Euro Cup consists of the third, fourth, and fifth-placed teams from the Women’s Champions League qualification rounds.
Similar to the Champions League, Group A features an intriguing national derby, with Glyfada facing Greek rivals Panionios. Additionally, the group includes a Hungarian duo, Eger and Kerelet. Last season’s runners-up, Trieste, will travel to face Group C hosts Rapallo.
Group A – ANO Glyfada (GRE), GSS Panionios (GRE), Digi Eger (HUN), Keruleti TVE (HUN), Grand Nancy (FRA),
Group B – ZV De Zaan (NED), Ethnikos Piraeus (GRE), CN Catalunya (ESP), Spandau 04 Berlin (GER), Hapoel Yoqneam (ISR)
Group C – Tenerife Echeyde (ESP), Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), LUC Metropole (FRA), Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)
Note: Hosts are in bold