The opening day of the 2025/26 Women’s Champions League Group Stage served up a mix of drama, surprises, and statement wins. Spanish giants Sabadell and Hungarian champions Ferencváros both surrendered commanding leads before losing ground in penalty shootouts, while defending champions Sant Andreu and Olympiacos cruised through their openers with emphatic victories.
Group A: Olympiacos and UVSE Set the Pace
Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE) 8–17 Olympiacos SFP (GRE)
UVSE Helia-D (HUN) 17–11 DFVE Vizilabda (HUN)
Olympiacos and UVSE both began their campaigns in ruthless fashion, each netting 17 goals.
For Olympiacos, last year’s bronze medallists, this was a clinical performance in an all-Greek clash that offered little suspense. After Alimos briefly levelled at 4–4, the visitors accelerated with a 4–0 burst and never looked back, leading 9–5 at half-time and maintaining full control thereafter.
In Budapest, UVSE made a statement against domestic rivals Dunaujvaros. A 4–0 opening run put them firmly in charge, and despite a brief DFVE fightback, UVSE’s attack remained relentless. By the third quarter, the hosts had stretched their lead beyond reach, sealing a convincing six-goal victory.
Group B: Sabadell Survive Scare, Mataró Edge Terrassa
Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA) 10–10 (2–4 pens) Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP)
CN Terrassa (ESP) 8–11 Assolim CN Mataró (ESP)
In Catania, Orizzonte mounted one of the great Champions League comebacks, rallying from 1–6 down to push Sabadell into a shootout.
The Spanish champions looked in control early, but a series of missed penalties and squandered extra-player chances opened the door for the Italians. Claudia Marletta’s late equaliser made it 10–10, forcing penalties — where Sabadell, despite missing three in regulation, scored all four of their shootout attempts to steal the win.
Meanwhile, in the all-Catalan duel between Terrassa and Mataró, the visitors claimed three valuable points in a hard-fought contest. Terrassa led 5–3 midway through the third quarter, but Mataró’s composure showed late on. After goalkeeper Mariona Terre saved a penalty at 8–9, Clara Cambray and Martina Claveria struck to complete the turnaround.
Group C: Vouliagmeni Stun Ferencváros in a Marathon
FTC-Telekom (HUN) 11–11 (7–8 pens) Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) 9–20 Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)
Ferencváros looked certain to start with a win after leading Vouliagmeni 9–5 early in the fourth quarter. But the Greeks mounted a spectacular late charge, led by Anna Krassa and Eleftheria Fountotou, who brought them level with just 28 seconds remaining.
In the penalty marathon that followed, Vouliagmeni held their nerve — eventually winning in the 10th round after Dora Leimeter struck the post.
In Berlin, Rapallo were in a league of their own. The Italians overwhelmed Spandau after a tight opening, scoring 13 goals across the final two quarters to post the biggest winning margin of the day (20–9).
Group D: Champions Deliver, Roma Hold Off De Zaan
CN Sant Andreu (ESP) 19–8 ONE Eger (HUN)
SIS Roma (ITA) 12–10 ZV De Zaan (NED)
Reigning champions Sant Andreu began their title defence with a commanding 19–8 home win over Eger. The Spanish side’s attack flowed effortlessly, racing from 5–3 to 9–4 by half-time, before adding ten more in the second half in front of a lively home crowd.
In Rome, SIS Roma were made to work much harder against Euro Cup holders De Zaan. Elizaveta Zaplatina’s six-goal performance proved decisive as the Italians overturned a 6–7 deficit in the final quarter. A quick-fire three-goal burst midway through the period turned the match on its head, and despite a late Dutch fightback, Zaplatina’s sixth strike sealed a vital 12–10 win.
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