2025/26 Women’s Champions League
Quarter-finals, leg 1
Astralpool CN Sabadell 12–17 Olympiacos
CN Mataro 13–9 SIS Roma
FTC-Telekom 16–9 UVSE
Sant Andreu 11–11 Vouliagmeni
Olympiacos delivered a statement performance in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, dismantling Astralpool CN Sabadell 17-12 away from home to seize control of the tie.
On a night where three Spanish sides hosted, only CN Mataro managed to secure a victory, while defending champions Sant Andreu were forced into a dramatic comeback just to stay level. In Hungary, FTC-Telekom produced one of the most dominant displays of the round to all but book their place in the Final Four.
The headline result came in Sabadell, where Olympiacos outclassed the seven-time champions in every department after a competitive opening period. With the game finely balanced at 5-6 after the first quarter, the Greek side took complete control in the second, exposing defensive gaps and punishing missed chances.
Abby Andrews led the charge with a clinical attacking display, supported by sharp perimeter shooting from Jovana Sekulic and Foteini Tricha. Sabadell, still reintegrating goalkeeper Isabel Williams after injury, struggled to find rhythm defensively and were unable to convert key six-on-five opportunities.
By half-time, Olympiacos had built a four-goal lead, and they extended that margin further after the break. At one stage eight goals clear, the visitors removed any real doubt about the outcome of the tie, with Sabadell only managing to reduce the deficit late on.
Mataro ensured there was at least one Spanish success on home soil, beating SIS Roma 13-9 in a physical and closely contested encounter. The difference came through their effectiveness at centre-forward, consistently winning penalties and creating high-percentage chances. While Roma remained within touching distance for long periods, missed opportunities at crucial moments prevented them from closing the gap, leaving Mataro with a valuable four-goal cushion heading into the return leg.
In Budapest, FTC-Telekom overwhelmed local rivals UVSE with a commanding 16-9 victory. After a competitive first quarter, FTC accelerated through the middle periods, producing a devastating run that saw them open up an 11-goal lead at one stage. Their defensive organisation, combined with ruthless counter-attacking, proved too much for UVSE, whose late surge did little to change the overall picture of a one-sided tie.
The most dramatic match of the round came in Barcelona, where Sant Andreu staged a remarkable comeback to draw 11-11 with Vouliagmeni. The Greek side stunned the home crowd with a dominant opening, racing into a 7-2 lead midway through the second quarter and putting the defending champions under serious pressure.
Sant Andreu responded with resilience and composure, led by the Ruiz sisters, gradually chipping away at the deficit before levelling the match in the third period. The momentum continued into the final quarter, where they briefly took the lead, only for Vouliagmeni to strike back once more.
A tense finish followed, with both sides creating chances to win it, but a crucial late penalty save ensured the tie remains perfectly balanced heading into the second leg.
After the first round of quarter-final action, Olympiacos and FTC have taken significant steps towards the Final Four, while Mataro hold a strong advantage. Meanwhile, Sant Andreu and Vouliagmeni remain locked together, with everything still to play for in one of the most finely poised ties of the competition.
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