Hungary had a triumphant weekend in the Women’s Champions League Qualification Round as three of its five teams advanced to the Group Stage.
Greece, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands each saw two teams progress. While many of the advancing teams are familiar from last season, both Dutch sides, Polar Bears and Donk, will make their Group Stage debuts. Meanwhile, Hungary’s BVSC has secured a spot, replacing Eger, who didn’t make the cut this year.
Ferencvaros, Alimos, Terrassa and Vouliagmeni all progressed with 100% records (four wins from four).
The 11 qualifying teams now join Spain’s Astralpool Sabadell and CN Mataro, Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus, Italy’s Orizzonte Catania, and Hungary’s UVSE Budapest. The draw for the Champions League Women Group Stage is scheduled for Monday at 11:00am.
Group A (Athens)
- FTC-Telekom Budapest – 4 – 12 pts
- Sant Andreu – 4 – 9 pts
- ZV De Zaan – 4 – 6 pts
- Panionios GSS – 4 – 3 pts
- Rapallo Pallanuoto – 4 – 0 pts
FTC-Telekom Budapest claimed first place after a fierce Sunday battle against Sant Andreu, a Final Four contender last season. The Spanish side struggled to control the match, with the lead constantly changing. Hungary’s FTC-Telekom ultimately held off Sant Andreu for the final 10 minutes, winning 9-8.
Panionios GSS delighted home fans with a 6-2 surge in the fourth quarter to defeat Rapallo 18-14, while Euro Cup winners Ethnikos were the biggest casualty of the round, failing to advance.
Group B (Ede)
- Polar Bears – 4 – 9 pts
- BVSC-Manna ABC – 4 – 9 pts
- Dunaujvaros – 4 – 9 pts
- Lille UC – 4 – 3 pts
- Grand Nancy – 4 – 0 pts
Polar Bears secured their place in the Group Stage with a 17-12 win over Grand Nancy. BVSC and Dunaujvaros both advanced, forming a three-way tie at the top of the group. BVSC’s 16-10 victory over Lille allowed them to progress as the best third-placed team across all groups.
Group C (Padova)
- Alimos NAC Betsson – 4 – 12 pts
- Plebiscito Padova – 4 – 9 pts
- CN Tenerife Echeyde – 4 – 6 pts
- Ethnikos – 4 – 3 pts
- Hapoel Yoqneam – 4 – 0 pts
Alimos NAC secured first place with a dominant 17-10 victory over Padova. A blistering start saw them surge ahead 5-0 in the first quarter, and despite a high-scoring fourth period, Alimos cruised to the next stage along with Padova.
Group D (Eger)
- CN Terrassa – 4 – 12 pts
- SIS Roma – 4 – 9 pts
- Pallanuoto Trieste – 4 – 5 pts
- DiGi Eger – 4 – 4 pts
- III. Keruleti TVE – 4 – 0 pts
Terrassa won a thrilling match against SIS Roma to top the group. Despite Roma’s late surge, Terrassa held on to win 14-13. DiGi Eger defeated III. Keruleti TVE 13-10 in an all-Hungarian closing match.
Group E (Berlin)
- Vouliagmeni NC – 4 – 12 pts
- Widex GZC Donk – 4 – 9 pts
- ANC Glyfada – 4 – 6 pts
- EPlus CN Catalunya – 4 – 3 pts
- Spandau 04 Berlin – 4 – 0 pts
Vouliagmeni easily topped the group, winning all their matches. Donk followed in second place after a 14-4 win over Catalunya, thanks to a 10-1 run in the second half. Glyfada rounded out the group by defeating Spandau 14-10.