Big wins for two of last year’s Spanish Final Four participants, title-holders Sabadell and bronze medallists St Andreu, mean it’s likely they will both have another shot at the title in May. Elsewhere, Ferencvaros claimed a great away win in Catania, but there is still a lot to battle for in the second leg, just like in the all-Greek clash, where a dramatic last-gasp penalty save denied Vouliagmeni a draw in Piraeus against Olympiacos.
Champions League Women
Quarter Finals First-Leg Results
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP) 19-6 Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE)
Olympiacos SFP (GRE) 11-10 Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
Orizzonte Catania (ITA) 9-11 FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN)
CN Sant Andreu (ESP) 13-8 Assolim CN Mataro (ESP)
Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) 19-6 Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE)
Sabadell left no doubts about who were the better side, as the Spanish giants delivered a decisive win and might as well start preparing to defend their title in the Final Four.
The first period was pretty close, although the home side still edged 4-2 ahead. Then in the second period they staged a powerful 8-0 rout as they totally blew the visitors away.
It was all one-way traffic, as Alimos couldn’t find a way through the Spanish wall, while the hosts launched wave after wave of counter attacks towards the other goal.
And their deadly weapon – the fast breaks – proved decisive and killed the match. At 12-2, Alimos were done, yet it was only half-time…
The Greeks finally scored after a painfully long drought of 14:02 minutes, but during this period Sabadell had staged a tie-winning, let alone match-winning, 11-0 run.
Dutch superstar Simone Van de Kraats led the Spanish charge with seven goals, and they’ll head into the second-leg with mammoth 13-goal advantage.
Olympiacos SFP (GRE) 11-10 Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
It was Greek drama at its best – but not totally out of the blue. Last Saturday, Olympiacos thrashed Vouliagmeni 18-8 in the domestic league, which might have made the Greek champions’ think their next three encounters with their archrivals would be more walks in the park.
Then on Wednesday, Vouliagmeni stunned them with a 0-4 opening and Olympiacos never managed to recover. Their six-year unbeaten home run was sensationally ended and this had a serious impact on this Champions League duel, as Vouliagmeni, having smelt blood four days ago, returned to the pool with tremendous determination.
They kind of carried on their momentum from that big midweek win and despite Olympiacos’ strong 3-1 start, Vouliagmeni first equalised, then, after 4-3, they added two more goals before the first break to lead 4-5.
Eleni Xenaki’s counter even doubled the visitors’ advantage early in the second, then Olympiacos forced back-to-back penalties to come back to even. And they were back to life as well, as Foteini Tricha scored two great action goals to give the favourites an 8-6 lead.
The run was extended to 6-0 as Vasiliki Plevritou opened the third with another one from action, and after some battling, she struck again for 10-6.
Midway though the third, Olympiacos seemed to take full control – coach Kyriaki Liosi felt the same way and called a time-out immediately. It took three more minutes before Vouliagmeni could score again, after 13:16 minutes, but at least they managed to prevent Olympiacos from adding more goals.
Indeed, that was key, as it turned out the hosts could only add one more in the remaining time, with 4:20 to go in the fourth.
Vasiliki Plevritou hit her sixth of the afternoon for 11-8, but Vouliagmeni fought back, and this time they could earn two penalties and buried both for 11-10.
What’s more, a third was called in the very last second, but Eleftheria Fountotou’s shot was well saved by French star Mia Rycraw, so Olympiacos could keep at least a single goal advantage for the return leg, but that’s set to be one hell of a clash.
Orizzonte Catania (ITA) 9-11 FTC-Telekom (HUN)
FTC maintained their brilliant run in away matches, as after three fine victories in the Group Stage, they downed eight-times champions Orrizonte in Sicily – a great result, but there is still room for more drama next Saturday.
The Hungarians took the lead three times in the first period, but Orizzonte managed to level each time. Then the hosts went ahead with a fast six on five goal for 4-3, and their defence was working really well.
FTC were struggling in attack, as more than eight minutes passed before they could score again. Finally, Szonja Kuna broke the ice for 4-4. Gaia Gagliardi netted one from action, but their rivals geared up and hit two in 31 seconds to lead 5-6 at half-time.
Both sides missed a six on five early in the third, then Greta Gurisatti put one away after a time-out for 5-7. Again, the woman-down defence was working well at both ends, as Orizzonte denied Fradi’s next two, but their offence was also frozen out.
Chiara Tabani finally halted the Italians’ scoreless run after 8:12 minutes, but Vivien Bonca’s rocket from the perimeter reset the two-goal gap before the last break.
Gurisatti made the advantage three at the start of the fourth, and after missing a six on five, Orizzonte were in danger, as FTC then had a woman-up chance to go four in front. However, they missed it and after some heavy battling, Giulia Viacava scored from action for 7-9.
FTC’s Eleftheria Plevritou then kept her calm and buried a six on five with 3:32 to go, but Dafne Bettini stepped up for the home side and in a span of 41 seconds, she threw them a lifelime, bringing her team back to 9-10 with 2:12 on the clock.
Plevritou was clinical in a crucial moment, though, and Fradi denied the Italians’ last extra to keep the two-goal advantage – a brilliant effort, though it’s yet to be seen if they can book a ticket to their first-ever Final Four next Saturday.
CN Sant Andreu (ESP) 13-8 Assolim CN Mataro (ESP)
Lifting the Spanish Cup two weeks ago was a testimony to the tremendous form St Andreu have hit recently. After sailing through the Group Stage, they were considered the favourites for this all-Spanish affair – and they delivered a great win in the end.
For a while, it was a balanced battle, as Mataro went 1-2 up early in the opening quarter, before the Ruiz siblings’ double in 45 seconds gave the lead back to the hosts shortly before the first break.
Deep into the second, it was still 4-4, then a penalty and a nice action goal from Gisella Farre made it 6-4 by half-time.
Then, in the third, came a deadly 93 seconds by the home side, with three goals from as many possessions, which seemed to swing the match in St Andreu’s favour.
Mataro missed two extras in the aftermath, but the hosts couldn’t capitalise on that and Mataro regained some ground by scoring twice in 32 seconds. Still, a last-gasp penalty, buried by Elena Ruiz, gave St Andreu a 10-6 advantage.
The visitors pulled one back in the fourth, followed by some back-and-forth with missed chances. After a quick exchange of goals, at 11-8, it still looked like it could be a tight match, however, St Andreu had the better finish.
Elena Ruiz netted her fourth in a six on five for 12-8, then Mataro missed a crucial woman-up. And the hosts had the last laugh as Maria Palacio finished off a counter 13 seconds from time and the five-goal advantage is likely to be enough for St Andreu to reach the Final Four for a second successive season.
The Quarter Final second-legs are scheduled for Saturday, 29th March.
