Title-holders CN Sant Andreu, Assolim Mataro and SIS Roma all secured their places in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League on Saturday, with two rounds still to play in the group stage. Olympiacos Piraeus are also virtually through after maintaining their perfect record, while FTC-Telekom took a major step toward the last eight by winning convincingly away at Vouliagmeni, a result that also lifted the Hungarians to the top of Group C.
2025/26 Champions League Women
Group Stage – Day 4
Saturday, 13 December
Group A
Results
- Dunaujvaros (HUN) 11–10 UVSE Helia D (HUN)
- Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 20–9 Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE)
Standings
- Olympiacos – 12 pts
- UVSE – 6 pts
- Dunaujvaros – 6 pts
- Alimos – 0 pts
Dunaujvaros produced a remarkable comeback to stun fellow Hungarian side UVSE in one of the games of the round. UVSE flew out of the blocks, racing to a 0–4 lead inside five minutes and stretching the margin to 1–5 late in the opening period.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Dunaujvaros struck three times in the final 67 seconds of the quarter, with Nikolett Szabo scoring twice and Ilona Borsi finding the net on the buzzer. Those goals proved pivotal, disrupting UVSE’s rhythm and setting the tone for a fiercely contested middle period dominated by defensive intensity.
After a long scoreless stretch, Brigitta Horvath nudged the hosts ahead, and Dunaujvaros eventually took a 6–5 lead before UVSE broke a 12-minute drought through Kamilla Farago. The match remained on a knife-edge deep into the fourth quarter, with Borsi’s late brace swinging the advantage back to the hosts.
Captain Krisztina Garda struck the decisive blow with 1:15 remaining, sealing an 11–10 victory that keeps Dunaujvaros firmly in the quarter-final race. UVSE’s struggles on extra-player situations—missing 12 of 17—proved costly.
In Piraeus, Olympiacos had no such difficulties. After conceding the opening goal, the Greek champions surged clear with a dominant first period, combining sharp counterattacks with ruthless six-on-five efficiency. A 12–4 lead early in the third quarter effectively ended the contest, and Olympiacos cruised to a 20–9 win that leaves them comfortably top of the group and on the brink of qualification.
Group B
Results
- Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) 11–8 Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA)
- Assolim Mataro (ESP) 13–8 CN Terrassa (ESP)
Standings
- Mataro – 12 pts
- Sabadell – 8 pts
- Orizzonte – 4 pts
- Terrassa – 0 pts
Group B saw two decisive Spanish victories, confirming Mataro’s place in the quarter-finals and pushing Sabadell to the brink of qualification.
In Sabadell, the clash between Europe’s most decorated clubs delivered a commanding home performance. After Orizzonte struck first, the Spaniards responded with seven unanswered goals, led by Irene Gonzalez and Tara Prentice. Judith Forca, returning to Champions League action after the birth of her first child, added a memorable strike as Sabadell surged into control.
Orizzonte threatened a comeback in the second half, mounting a 5–0 run and cutting the deficit to 9–7, but Gonzalez’s brilliant action goal ended a lengthy Sabadell drought and restored composure. Paula Crespi’s late six-on-five sealed an 11–8 win that places Sabadell in a strong position heading into the final rounds.
Meanwhile, Mataro overcame stubborn resistance from Terrassa in an all-Spanish derby. After a tightly contested first half, Tilly Kearns took control, scoring three goals in quick succession early in the third quarter. A decisive 4–0 run opened up an unassailable lead, and Mataro closed out a 13–8 victory to remain perfect after four games.
Group C
Results
- Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) 8–13 FTC-Telekom (HUN)
- Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA) 17–8 Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
Standings
- FTC-Telekom – 10 pts
- Vouliagmeni – 8 pts
- Rapallo – 6 pts
- Spandau – 0 pts
FTC-Telekom delivered one of the standout performances of the day with a commanding away win in Athens, avenging their shootout defeat to Vouliagmeni on opening day. After a balanced start, the Hungarians took control in the second quarter through goals from Bea Ortiz, Rita Keszthelyi and Vanda Valyi, opening a three-goal cushion by half-time.
A penalty save from Boglarka Neszmely early in the third period proved decisive, immediately followed by another Fradi goal that extended the margin and visibly deflated the hosts. Despite Eleftheria Fountotou’s four-goal effort for Vouliagmeni, FTC’s defensive discipline and efficiency on counters secured a 13–8 win that moved them to the top of the group, with two home games still to come.
Rapallo kept their hopes alive with a convincing victory over Spandau. The Italians raced to a 4–0 start and never allowed the Germans back into contention, eventually pulling away in the final quarter. However, difficult away trips to Athens and Budapest still await in their push for the quarter-finals.
Group D
Results
- ONE Eger (HUN) 7–13 CN Sant Andreu (ESP)
- ZV De Zaan (NED) 13–15 SIS Roma (ITA)
Standings
- Sant Andreu – 12 pts
- Roma – 9 pts
- De Zaan – 3 pts
- Eger – 0 pts
Both quarter-final places in Group D were confirmed on Saturday, though neither Sant Andreu nor Roma had an easy evening.
In Eger, the Hungarian hosts pushed the reigning champions to the limit for three quarters, holding Sant Andreu level at 7–7 heading into the final period. Eger’s disciplined defence and inspired counterattacks repeatedly frustrated the Spaniards, who struggled to convert their six-on-five chances.
The breakthrough came early in the fourth quarter when Ariadna Ruiz finally found the net on an extra-player opportunity. That goal sparked a devastating 0–6 run in just over five minutes, as Sant Andreu’s experience and depth told. Despite the final scoreline, Eger earned widespread credit for a resilient display against Europe’s best.
In the Netherlands, SIS Roma edged a pulsating encounter against De Zaan to secure their quarter-final berth. The Italians led for most of the contest but were repeatedly pegged back by spirited Dutch comebacks. When De Zaan closed to within a single goal late on, Chiara Ranalli kept her nerve from the penalty spot, scoring twice to extinguish the hosts’ hopes.
Roma’s 15–13 victory not only confirmed their place in the last eight but also ended De Zaan’s chances of progression, just months after the Dutch club’s Euro Cup triumph.
Read more about women’s water polo
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X