The race to the Champions League Women’s Group Stage is heating up, with five teams leading the charge after the second day of thrilling action in the Qualification Round.
Hungary’s Ferencvaros and BVSC, Italy’s Padova and Roma, and Greece’s Vouliagmeni all secured their second consecutive victories on Friday. However, despite their strong starts, nothing is certain yet, as plenty of water polo remains to be played in this fiercely competitive tournament.
Group A (Athens)
Ferencvaros’ men may be gearing up for the Super Cup final, but their women’s team is already making waves in Athens. After defeating Greece’s Panionios in their opener, FTC-Telekom followed up with a dominant 17-8 win over the Netherlands’ De Zaan. The Hungarians were relentless, controlling every period, while goalie Boglarka Neszmely saved two penalties, adding to their commanding performance.
In the group’s other game, last season’s Final Four participants, Spain’s Sant Andreu, started their campaign in style, cruising past Panionios 16-7. The Greek side held a narrow 6-5 lead at halftime, but the Spaniards erupted with a 7-0 third-quarter surge, completely taking over the match.
Group A Table:
- FTC-Telekom Waterpolo – 2 – 6 pts
- CN Sant Andreu – 1 – 3 pts
- ZV De Zaan – 2 – 3 pts
- Rapallo Pallanuoto – 1 – 0 pts
- Panionios GSS – 2 – 0 pts
Group B (Ede)
Hungarian water polo continued to shine in Group B, where BVSC-Manna ABC and Dunaujvaros secured crucial victories. BVSC started strong, building a 5-1 lead against France’s Lille UC before sealing a 17-13 win. Dunaujvaros, last year’s Final Four participants, followed suit by outclassing hosts Polar Bears. The Hungarians were up 11-4 late in the third quarter, but the Dutch side launched an impressive comeback, scoring four straight goals. However, Dunaujvaros extinguished their hopes with a decisive extra-man goal from Dominika Kardos, securing a 14-10 victory.
Group B Table:
- BVSC Zuglo – 2 – 6 pts
- Dunaujvaros WPC – 1 – 3 pts
- Polar Bears – 2 – 3 pts
- Lille UC – 2 – 0 pts
- Grand Nancy AC – 1 – 0 pts
Group C (Padova)
In Italy, Padova asserted their dominance with a 13-10 win over Tenerife. The Italians stormed to a five-goal lead by halftime and never let go of their advantage, despite a spirited late push from the Spaniards. Tenerife fought back with three unanswered goals in the final minutes, but it was too little too late.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Hapoel Yoqneam put up a brave fight against Greece’s Ethnikos in an action-packed thriller. Despite trailing 10-13 late in the third, Ethnikos mounted an incredible 5-0 run to regain control, only for Hapoel Yoqneam to tie the game at 15-15 with just 1:34 remaining. However, it was the Greeks who had the final say, converting a crucial extra-man opportunity with just 38 seconds left to edge out a 16-15 win.
Group C Table:
- Antenore Plebiscito Padova – 2 – 6 pts
- Alimos NAC Betsson – 1 – 3 pts
- Ethnikos OFPF – 2 – 3 pts
- CN Tenerife Echeyde – 1 – 0 pts
- Hapoel Yoqneam – 2 – 0 pts
Group D (Eger)
It was a tough day for Hungary’s teams in Eger, as both suffered defeats at the hands of Italian opponents. Trieste started strong against III. Kerulet, racing to a 7-2 lead. Despite a spirited comeback from the Hungarians, who briefly took the lead at 12-13, Trieste scored twice in the final minutes to secure a dramatic 14-13 victory.
In another thriller, SIS Roma edged out hosts Eger 15-12. Roma led 1-3 after the first quarter, but Eger’s five-goal surge turned the game into a back-and-forth contest. With the score tied at 12-12 in the final quarter, the Italians found their stride once again, netting three goals in just over two minutes to claim the win.
Group D Table:
- SIS Roma – 2 – 6 pts
- CN Terrassa – 1 – 3 pts
- Pallanuoto Trieste – 2 – 3 pts
- III. Keruleti TVE – 1 – 0 pts
- Digi Eger – 2 – 0 pts
Group E (Berlin)
Germany’s Spandau 04 put up a valiant effort against Catalunya but fell just short, losing 12-11. Spandau chased their Spanish opponents throughout, closing the gap to 10-11 late in the fourth quarter. However, Catalunya’s Belen Vosseberg struck with 1:27 remaining, and despite a late penalty for the Germans, Catalunya held on for the win.
The all-Greek clash between Vouliagmeni and Glyfada was just as intense. Locked at 9-9 early in the final period, Vouliagmeni unleashed a whirlwind 5-0 run to break the deadlock and secure a 15-11 win. The victory, their second of the tournament, puts them in a strong position going forward.
Group E Table:
- Vouliagmeni NC – 2 – 6 pts
- Widex GZC Donk – 1 – 3 pts
- EPlus CN Catalunya – 2 – 3 pts
- ANC Glyfada – 1 – 0 pts
- Spandau 04 – 2 – 0 pts