FTC – along with Olympiacos – have their men’s and women’s squads heading to Malta for the Final 4, so for the second year running, the Hungarian giants are in contention for both titles and will be hoping to achieve a historic double.
Mark Matajsz’s squad have remained undefeated in regular time throughout the season – in their domestic OB I league and Champions League – as they’ve swept everyone aside in emphatic fashion.
Their record stands at 30-1 across 2025/26, with their only blip coming on the opening day of the Champions League at home to Vouliagmeni, where they drew 11-11 after the Greeks fought back from 9-5 down early in the fourth quarter to force a shootout, which the visitors won 7-8.
Since that loss, though, FTC responded brilliantly, winning every European clash by three goals or more, and demolishing local rivals UVSE in the quarterfinals 34-25 on aggregate to secure their place in a second successive Final 4.
With players such as Rita Keszthelyi, Elefteria Plevritou, Greta Kurucz-Gurisatti, Vanda Valyi, Bea Ortiz, Dorottya Kovacs-Csatlsne Szilagyi and Boglarka Neszmely among their ranks, FTC have a good chance of becoming the first Hungarian side to lift the trophy since Szentes triumphed in 1993.
After missing their last three Champions League games – including both legs of the quarterfinals – Keszthelyi has also returned to full fitness at the perfect time and recently hit four goals in the third match of the Hungarian play-off finals against BVSC, so FTC are set to be at full strength for the Final 4.
“We have prepared well and the squad is in the right shape,” said FTC’s Greece star Plevritou. “We are aiming really high, but of course we are playing in the semis against the reigning champions, Sant Andreu, so that will be a really hard game.
“The season has been long, especially with the European Championships in the middle, so it has been really tough, particularly for the players involved with their national teams.
“But we are ready for the Final 4 and are aiming for something bigger than the fourth position we had in Athens last year.
“It will be a really interesting and special Final 4, with the men and women playing in the same location, on the same dates, for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m really excited, and the team can hopefully achieve great results.
“In this season’s Champions League, we managed to play all of our games really well, except for the first one, which was a hard game that we lost on penalties [at home to Vouliagmeni 18-19].
“But throughout this season, in the Hungarian league as well – where we were undefeated – we have proved what our team is capable of and we are ready for the challenges ahead.”
FTC – Route to Malta Final 4
2025/26 Results
Group Stage
(1st place, Group C)
FTC 18-19* Vouliagmeni (11-11 FT)
Rapallo 14-17 FTC
Spandau 8-21 FTC
Vouliagmeni 8-13 FTC
FTC 16-13 Rapallo
FTC 22-12 Spandau
Quarterfinals
FTC 16-9 UVSE
UVSE 16-18 FTC
(Agg: 34-25)
Best Champions League finish
4th – 2025
2026 Final 4 Fixtures
Semifinals
Wednesday 10 June
(Local times shown)
19:00: FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN) v CN Sant Andreu (ESP)
21:00: Assolim CN Mataro (ESP) v Olympiacos SFP (GRE)
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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
