Local rivals EPlus CN Catalunya and Zodiac CNAB are busy fine-tuning their preparations for the first-ever all-Spanish Euro Cup final. Both teams are in uncharted waters, as neither has reached the gold medal game before, so a new name will be etched onto the famous trophy when it’s lifted after the second leg on Wednesday 3 June. This week, though, Catalunya play host to their neighbours, looking to change a trend of defeats against European newcomers CNAB after losing all three of their previous clashes.
2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Final, Leg 1
Wednesday 27 May
(Local time shown)
20:30: EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP) v Zodiac CNAB (ESP)
Leg 2: Wednesday 3 June
EPlus CN Catalunya may have lost their previous three clashes against Zodiac CNAB, but the last two were decided by penalty shootouts, so both teams appear to have an equal chance of getting their hands on the famous trophy.
“We have a lot of willingness to win this game against Barceloneta,” Catalunya’s Toula Falvey told European Aquatics ahead of the final. “We’re really excited to play against them, and they’re a team we know really well.
“They have a really strong squad, a lot of really good individual players, and they play well as a team.
“For our club, it’s a historic achievement to be competing for this trophy, and we think we can go on and win it.
“Our last few games – against Sabadell, BVSC, and Mediterrani – have also given us really good preparation for this match.”
CNAB’s journey to the showpiece final was slightly longer than Catalunya’s, as they had to navigate two qualification games before the initial Group Stage, which saw both teams top their pools.
The two sides’ performances in the group phase were almost identical, with Catalunya and CNAB losing their opening fixtures – against Trieste and Padova respectively – before going on to win their remaining three games.
In the quarters, each team emerged victorious after two fierce and close contests.
Catalunya edged past Glyfada at home, with late strikes from Emmerson Houghton and Falvey proving the difference, while CNAB were on the brink of elimination away to Polar Bears before four unanswered goals swung the tie in their favour.
Reaching the gold medal game in their first European campaign has been an incredible feat for CNAB, even more so as they beat Trieste in the semis to deny the Italians a place in a third consecutive final.
Catalunya, meanwhile, produced arguably the performance of the season away at BVSC in the second leg of their semifinal.
After the first leg ended all square, the Spaniards delivered a defensive masterclass in Budapest, restricting the Hungarians to just four goals while scoring 11 at the other end to book their shot at the gold.
It was an outstanding display, with Dutch European champion goalkeeper Laura Aarts orchestrating her defence expertly, and they will be looking for a repeat performance this week.
“We are a very young squad, but also very competitive, so we really want to win the final now after the season we’ve had,” said CNAB’s Alejandra Aznar.
“It’s a really, really important game for the team, but also for the club, because it’s the first time the women’s team has reached the final.
“It’s been a special journey, and we’ve really felt all the closeness from our families and also from our club and team-mates, so we really want to play well and take another step forward.”
Zodiac CNAB
Route to the final…
• Qualification round
CNAB 18-4 ZAVK Mladost
Panionios GSS 8-14 CNAB
• Group Stage
Padova 13-11 CNAB
Grand Nancy 4-27 CNAB
CNAB 13-11 Padova
CNAB 29-6 Grand Nancy
• Quarterfinals
CNAB 10-9 Polar Bears
Polar Bears 12-13 CNAB
(Agg: 23-21)
• Semifinals
CNAB 12-12 Trieste
Trieste 13-14 CNAB
(Agg: 26-25)
EPlus CN Catalunya
Route to the final…
• Group Stage
Catalunya 13-15 Trieste
Catalunya 21-12 III. Kerulet TVE
Trieste 10-13 Catalunya
III. Kerulet TVE 9-16 Catalunya
• Quarterfinals
Glyfada 8-8 Catalunya
Catalunya 12-11 Glyfada
(Agg: 20-19)
• Semifinals
Catalunya 13-13 BVSC
BVSC 4-11 Catalunya
(Agg: 24-17)
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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
