A rematch of last month’s Super Cup final is the highlight of Day 2 in the Champions League Women, as title holders St Andreu visit Euro Cup winners De Zaan. The Spaniards, like last season’s runners-up Sabadell and bronze medallists Olympiacos, are chasing their second win this Saturday.

2025/26 Champions League Women
Group Stage, Day 2
Saturday 8 November

Group A
(Local times shown)

19.00 (Friday): Dunaujvaros (HUN) v Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE)
18.30: Olympiacos SFP (GRE) v UVSE Helia D (HUN)

After the ‘national battles’ on Day 1, this round brings the first set of Hungarian-Greek clashes. Both are crucial, as the two opening-round losers face off in Dunaujvaros, while the two winners meet in Piraeus.

A second defeat for either Dunaujvaros or Alimos would carry serious consequences, while a second win for Olympiacos or UVSE would be a huge boost to their qualification campaigns.

There is no clear favourites in Dunaujvaros, where fine margins could decide the outcome, but Olympiacos seem well placed to maintain their perfect record.

The Greeks rarely lose at home – in the last three Champions League group stages, they have gone 8-0 (with one draw) – and two years ago they beat UVSE 15-8.

The young Magyars will need to perform at a very high level to take even a point on Saturday.

“Dunaujvaros are one of the strongholds of Hungarian women’s water polo and among the most successful clubs in the country,” said DFVE coach Dr. József Sike. “For many years, the team has consistently qualified for the Champions League. The roster changes from year to year, regularly strengthened by many talented local players.

“This season, the team’s primary goal was to reach the main round, which they successfully achieved by defeating last year’s Euro Cup champions. In the upcoming matches, the goal is to play strong games against the top-seeded teams (the title contenders) and to see how we measure up against the very best clubs.”

“We will play against one of the biggest contenders to win the Champions League,” saud UVSE coach Marton Benczur. “Olympiacos are on a totally different level than us as a club and also different level according to the economic / financial background.

“The best players from the reigning World Champion team of Greece strengthened with also superb foreigners. They have one of the best coaches in my opinion, who has done fantastic work in the past seasons.

“He managed great young players over the past seasons to be key players of the team. This game will be a great test for our team, which is in a state of rebuilding after the loss of some key players.

“We are absolutely not the favorites of the game, but our team loves the challenges and love to play against the best in the world, especially in front of the fantastic supporters of Olympiacos.”

Olympiacos’ Stefania Santa added on the clash, “This is a match we expect to be very tough and demanding. We’re playing against a team with several young and talented players.

“We’ve prepared properly for every possible game scenario and are looking forward to stepping onto the field. With focus and a clear mind in defense, our offence will have no problem. We’re playing at home, with our fans behind us. Our goal is to get the win and continue our unbeaten run in the Champions League.”

Group B
(Local times shown)

12.00 Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP) v CN Terrassa (ESP)
13.00 Assolim CN Mataro (ESP) v Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA)

Orizzonte made the most of their home opener against seven-time champions Sabadell. Tasked with facing Spain’s elite, the Italians fought back from 1-6 down to claim a valuable point – one that could prove crucial, as both Mataro and Terrassa are likely to struggle against Spain’s top side.

After that spirited comeback, Orizzonte now face another challenge – an away game against Mataro. While the home side no longer boast the same foreign talent as in previous seasons, they still have the depth and strength to compete at a high level. They began with a fine 11-8 win in Terrassa, and victory over Orizzonte would greatly improve their chances of going through.

“Ekipe is a formidable opponent because they never give up,” said Mataro coach Dani Ballart. “They carry the spirit of their coach and president deep within them. They’re a very well-balanced team with a strong understanding of the game, capable of making things difficult for you at any moment.”

Dani is also full of pride when asked about seeing his team again competing alongside the continent’s best.

“It’s an honor to see how the generational change is bearing fruit – how the homegrown players are developing and how warmly they’ve welcomed the new additions this season.

“We’ve built a solid unit, full of enthusiasm to go as far as possible. I couldn’t ask for more – only to encourage them to continue along this excellent path they’ve been on since the start of the season.”

Ekipe captain Bronte Halligan, meanwhile, commented, “We are excited to continue our journey as a team in Champions League. The game against Mataro will be challenging and hard fought, but we feel ready as a team to take on the challenge.

“The season has been a difficult start for us, but we know we are stronger together. We will come out on Saturday ready to prove ourselves as a top contender in Europe.”

Sabadell, meanwhile, will look for a big home win against Terrassa – business as usual for a side that has won their last 16 matches in all competitions. Terrassa’s last victory over their Catalan rivals came five years ago, a rare upset at the time.

“Little by little, the team is coming together, as we shouldn’t forget that this season we have many new players,” said Sabadell’s Simone Van der Kraats. “It’s very important to win all the matches in the Champions League group stage so we can have a good draw in the quarterfinals, so we approach every game as if it were a final. We hope that, with the support of our fans, we can beat Terrassa.”

Group C
(Local times shown)

16.00 Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) v Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
18.30 Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)

The two top favourites in this group produced a thrilling opener in Budapest, where Vouliagmeni’s strong finish and superior composure in the shootout earned them two valuable points.

Now, they face their easiest task – a home game against Spandau. The Germans’ appearance in the group stage is already a pleasant surprise, given they weren’t seen as serious contenders in qualifying.

Here, their focus will be on gaining experience, as they are unlikely to take points off any of their three rivals.

“We are ready for Saturday’s game,” said Vouliagmeni coach Kiki Liosi. “We know our strengths, but we also understand that at the European level, no match is easy. We approach our opponents with respect, and we’ll need to stay focused throughout the entire game to achieve our goal.”

FTC, on the other hand, face a tough trip to Rapallo. Away games in Italy are never easy, even for the Hungarians, who strengthened over the summer after their first Final Four appearance.

The Magyars remain serious contenders, and after dropping points on Day 1, a win here is essential. It won’t be straightforward though – their last and only previous meeting came in last season’s qualifiers, when Fradi edged out the Italians 12-11.

Group D
(Local times shown)

19.30: ONE Eger (HUN) v SIS Roma (ITA)
20.30: ZV De Zaan (NED) v CN Sant Andreu (ESP)

The first rematch of the Super Cup final comes this Saturday, as St Andreu travel to De Zaan. The Spaniards left the Dutch with no chance in mid-October, though that victory came at home.

Now, in the Netherlands, the Euro Cup winners will seek revenge – or at least a closer contest – which they might achieve if they can slow down the title holders.

“Saturday’s game is really important for us,” said Sant Andreu coach Javier Aznar. “De Zaan are very tough opponents and we know they will be very difficult to score against at their pool.

“It would be a big mistake to think that, despite beating them in the Super Cup, we are going to face an inferior team.

“We have prepared very well for the game to try to get our second win. Our main objective in this competition is to qualify for the quarterfinals, and to do that we need to maintain a very high level both at home and away. This Saturday will be a great test to see how the team performs away from home.”

In the other fixture, SIS Roma can strengthen their bid for second place behind St Andreu (or perhaps more) with an away win over Eger, after beating De Zaan at home on Day 1.

The Italians will start as favourites, though the hosts could well spring a surprise if they find their rhythm.

“​​I know and respect the value of the Eger team and club,” said SIS Roma coach Marco Capanna. “We return a year later to play against them, having changed our line-up considerably.

“We are fully focused on what is a difficult and important match for our goal of advancing from this group stage.”

–

Watch all the Champions League Women action on European Aquatics TV

For full Champions League Women fixtures, results, stats and tables, click here or download the European Aqautics app

Stay tuned to the European Aquatics Water Polo social media accounts for more news and live updates on Facebook and Instagram

Watch water polo highlights and previews on our YouTube channel

Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics