The eight remaining places in the Women’s Champions League group stage have been decided following three days of qualification across Europe, with Trieste and Catalunya securing historic first appearances in the competition’s main round.
Sabadell, Terrassa, UVSE, Rapallo, De Zaan and Ethnikos had already secured qualification on Saturday, leaving just two places to be decided on the final day.
Trieste Make History in Berlin
Pallanuoto Trieste secured their first-ever Champions League group stage appearance with two impressive victories in Berlin.
The Italian side opened with an 18-15 victory over Hungarian club UVSE, overturning an early three-goal deficit. Alejandra Aznar and Malika Bovo scored four goals each.
Trieste completed the job on Sunday, defeating hosts Spandau 15-7 to finish top of Group A. Morgan McDowall led the scoring with five goals.
UVSE also progressed, having secured a convincing 18-7 victory over Spandau in their opening match.
Five Spanish Clubs Reach Group Stage
Spain will have five representatives in the group stage after Sabadell, Terrassa and Catalunya successfully navigated qualification.
Eight-time European champions Sabadell dominated Group D, scoring 72 goals across three matches.
After defeating Donk 26-4 and Lille 29-10, Sabadell completed a perfect weekend with a 17-10 victory over fellow qualifiers Terrassa. Dutch international Simone van de Kraats scored six goals.
Terrassa finished second after comfortable victories over Lille and Donk.
Meanwhile, reigning Euro Cup champions Catalunya secured their first Champions League group stage appearance with a 23-6 victory over Grand Nancy.
Lucia Gomez and Emmerson Houghton scored four goals each as Catalunya recovered from Saturday’s narrow 7-6 defeat against Ethnikos.
The Greek club finished unbeaten, completing qualification with a commanding 20-5 victory over Glyfada.
Heartbreak for Dunaujvaros
Hungarian club Dunaujvaros suffered a frustrating elimination after losing both their qualification matches by a single goal.
The hosts fell 8-7 against Rapallo before narrowly losing 14-13 to Dutch side De Zaan.
Goalkeeper Britt van den Dobbelsteen proved decisive for De Zaan, recording 17 saves to deny a Hungarian comeback.
Both Rapallo and De Zaan progressed from Group B.
Group Stage Draw Awaits
The eight qualifiers join defending champions Olympiacos, FTC, BVSC, Vouliagmeni, Orizzonte, Roma, Mataro and Sant Andreu in the 16-team group stage.
The draw takes place on Monday, October 12, ahead of the opening round later this month.
Qualified teams:
- Group A: Trieste, UVSE
- Group B: Rapallo, De Zaan
- Group C: Ethnikos, Catalunya
- Group D: Sabadell, Terrassa
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