The race for spots in the women’s Euro Cup Group Stage intensified on Saturday as four teams secured their places after a day packed with high-stakes water polo action. Greek clubs ANC Glyfada iRepair and Ethnikos OFPF joined Hungary’s III. Keruleti TVE and the Netherlands’ ZV De Zaan in advancing, while other teams will battle for qualification in Sunday’s decisive matches.
Group A
Results:
- Digi Eger (HUN) 11-13 III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)
- Panionios GSS (GRE) 15-8 Grand Nancy (FRA)
- ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE) 10-4 Digi Eger (HUN)
- III. Keruleti TVE (HUN) 21-12 Grand Nancy (FRA)
Standings:
- ANC Glyfada iRepair – 9 points
- III. Keruleti TVE – 8 points
- Panionios GSS – 4 points
- Digi Eger – 3 points
- Grand Nancy – 0 points
Day three opened with a thrilling all-Hungarian clash between Digi Eger and III. Keruleti TVE. Eger had bested their rivals twice recently, but this time Keruleti overturned a 6-3 deficit at halftime to claim a hard-fought 11-13 victory. A standout performance from Roza Hajdu, who scored five goals, fueled Keruleti’s comeback and solidified their hold on second place.
Panionios GSS also had a successful day, easily dispatching Grand Nancy 15-8, led by four goals from Yuri Arima. The Greeks controlled the game with a commanding 9-4 lead by halftime, leaving the French side winless despite Kahena Benlekbir’s five goals.
Later, ANC Glyfada iRepair dominated Eger 10-4, securing first place in Group A. The hosts led from start to finish, pulling away in the second quarter and outpacing the Hungarians until the final whistle. Meanwhile, Keruleti’s second win of the day over Grand Nancy sealed their qualification, setting up a critical showdown between Eger and Panionios on Sunday.
Group B
Results:
- Ethnikos OFPF (GRE) 9-14 ZV De Zaan (NED)
- Spandau 04 (GER) 7-7 (1-3P) Hapoel Yoqneam (ISR)
Standings:
- ZV De Zaan – 9 points
- Ethnikos OFPF – 6 points
- Hapoel Yoqneam – 5 points
- EPlus CN Catalunya – 3 points
- Spandau 04 – 1 point
ZV De Zaan punched their ticket to the Group Stage with a decisive 9-14 victory over Ethnikos OFPF. The Dutch side started strong, with goals from Lieke and Bente Rogge helping them establish a commanding lead early. Despite a late rally from Ethnikos, De Zaan held on comfortably, while Ethnikos now looks to secure second place in a must-win game against EPlus CN Catalunya.
The day’s second game saw Hapoel Yoqneam edge out Spandau 04 in a tense shootout after a late-game comeback. Spandau led 7-4 in the fourth quarter but faltered, conceding two penalties to Hapoel, who tied the game before clinching the shootout victory. This defeat ended Spandau’s qualification hopes, while Hapoel waits to see if their efforts were enough for a top-three finish.
Group C
Results:
- CN Tenerife Echeyde (ESP) 7-10 Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)
- Lille UC (FRA) 7-12 Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)
Standings:
- Pallanuoto Trieste – 6 points
- CN Tenerife Echeyde – 3 points
- Rapallo Pallanuoto – 3 points
- Lille UC – 0 points
Pallanuoto Trieste took a big step towards the Group Stage with a 7-10 win over CN Tenerife Echeyde. The Italians, backed by an energetic home crowd, rallied from an early deficit to lead comfortably by halftime. Tenerife put up a fight, with hat-tricks from Maryn Dempsey and Natalia Manero, but Trieste’s defense held firm to maintain their perfect record in the qualifiers.
In the other Group C match, Rapallo Pallanuoto claimed their first points with a decisive 7-12 victory over Lille UC. This win leaves open the possibility of a three-way tie in Group C if Rapallo beats Trieste and Tenerife defeats Lille on Sunday.
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