Stage is set in Piraeus for women’s Champions League Final Four

The pinnacle of the women’s European water polo club competition season, the Champions League Final Four, is ready to kick-off on Friday in Piraeus. Hosts Olympiacos SFP of Greece and holders Astralpool CN Sabadell of Spain – two teams that have shared nine title successes combined in the last 11 editions – will face off in the first semi-final, which is also going to be a rematch of last year’s gold-medal game. The other semi features last season’s bronze medallists CN Sant Andreu of Spain and newcomers FTC Telekom Waterpolo from Hungary.

2024/25 Champions League Women
Final Four, Semi-Finals
Friday, 2 May 2025
(Local times shown)

18:30: Olympiacos SFP (GRE) v Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP)
20:15: CN Sant Andreu (ESP) v FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN)

Since 2013, Sabadell and Olympiacos have been the teams to beat in the women’s Champions League. In all of the past 11 (completed) seasons, the last four has featured either the Spanish or Greek giants, but mainly both sides have appeared.

Across these 11 seasons, Sabadell had nine appearances in the gold medal game, while Olympiacos made the final six times – and four times they crossed each others’ paths.

With the exception of Kirishi’s back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018 (the Russians beat Olympiacos, then Sabadell for the title), only Sabadell or Olympiacos have lifted the trophy since 2013.

The Spanish claimed it six times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024), while the Greeks emerged as victors in 2015, 2021 and 2022.

In 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2024 the two teams also clashed in the final – that duel stands at 2-2. In Spain (2019 and 2024), Sabadell came out on top, while in Greece, Olympiacos’ triumphed.

Since the Final Four is returning to Athens for the first time since 2022, it’s possible it could be the hosts’ turn to triumph once more. Indeed, the host sides have done exceptionally well in recent editions – in the last seven events, the team playing on home soil have won six times.

Olympiacos have an added incentive to do well this year, as the Final Four comes to town during a very special time, as 2025 marks the centennial of Greece’s top club, so everybody in Piraeus would like to celebrate the 100th anniversary in style.

However, their task cannot be more demanding, as the draw paired the two arch-rivals together on the opening day.

The only time they had a showdown in the semis was in 2017 when the game was tied and the Greeks won the shootout (but Kirishi beat them in the final).

While Olympiacos are hoping to contribute to the club’s history with another trophy, Sabadell are targeting a historical milestone – an eighth triumph, which would put them level with Orizzonte Catania’s record in the all-time ranks.

While almost all eyes are on the two greats in the opening clash, the other semi-final features two up-and-coming sides who have arrived planning to cause an upset.

St Andreu already have some fine memories from last year as they managed to clinch the bronze medal on their first try in the F4.

For Ferencvaros, this is their first-ever ride – and the Hungarians are keen to recall their men’s team’s big splash from 2019 when the green boys landed the title during their first F8 appearance.

Unlike Olympiacos and Sabadell, St Andreu and FTC had to play the qualifications – and indeed their quest started here in Athens as they were drawn in the same group.

Back in September, Fradi won a tight match 9-8, but both sides are aware that this Friday’s contest is going to be a very different story.

Whatever the outcome will be, the final will feature one of the superpowers and a team which will play their first-ever Champions League title-match.

Highlights from the opening press conference

Kyriakos Giannopoulos, European Aquatics Vice-President, President of the Greek Aquatic Federation

“It was an easy decision at European Aquatics to award this event to Athens. When the Final Fours were hosted in Piraeus, everything was excellent on each occasion, and I know that it’s going to be the same memorable tournament this time as well.

“As for water polo, I’m sure that these four teams have been the best in the competition, and they are worthy of competing in the Final Four.

“On this occasion, I want to thank the Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, for his support in organising this event, and also thanks to Olympiacos, a great club, whose staff are doing everything to make this Final Four a memorable one.”

Maria Palacio, captain, St Andreu

“It is the second time we are here. It was very difficult to make it again, but it is a reward for all the efforts we made during our trainings and matches. We are very proud to be part of this, we had this goal for this season. Ferencvaros are a strong team, a great rival for the semi-final, so it will be a hard game, and we hope to do a good job.”

Javier Aznar, coach, St Andreu

“We are very proud to qualify to the Final Four for the second time. We know we are playing with the top teams in Europe. The challenge is really hard, but we are here to do everything we can.”

Mark Matajsz, coach, FTC

“We are very proud about what we have achieved with Ferencvaros this season. We came here to claim this trophy – we’ll do our best to reach our goals.”

Greta Gurisatti, captain, FTC

“We are really happy to be here and motivated too. Our story in the Champions League started here in Athens in September, when we kicked off our campaign with new players and a new coach – we didn’t know how far we could get.

“At the beginning, it was just a dream to make the Final Four – but how we trained and played ever since, we felt it should be a realistic goal for us. This is a huge thing for Ferencvaros – it’s the first time we are here – but making the final is not enough for us.”

Margarita Plevritou, captain, Olympiacos

“We are happy and proud that once again we will play in the Final Four. It is special that we are playing at home when Olympiacos celebrate their 100th anniversary. We’ll be very strong, I can’t wait to get to the pool and start the games.”

Dimitris Kravaritis, coach, Olympiacos

“This is the second time in three years that we play for this important trophy in our home. And this Final Four will be a completely different story than last year in Spain.

“We are celebrating 100 years of the club, and we are proud to play this event here in our home. These are the best four teams in Europe, we knew at the beginning that these were going to be the best teams.”

(Note: Sabadell arrive only in the evening, and were unable to attend the press conference)

Champions League Women,
Final Four – Results/Head-to-head

Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v Astralpool Sabadell (ESP)

CL performance (win-loss)

OLY: 8-0
SAB: 7-1

Head-to-head (last 10 years): 4-5

2023-24: 10-16 (final). 2021-22: 11-7 (final). 2020-21: 10-5, 12-14 (quarter-final). 2018-19: 9-11 (final). 2016-17: 7-7, pen: 4-2 (semi-final). 2014-15: 10-9 (final). 2013-14: 6-8, 9-10 (quarter-finals)

2014 Super Cup Final: 8-9

St Andreu (ESP) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)

CL performance (win-loss)

STA: 11-1
FTC: 11-1

Head-to-head: 0-1

2024-25 (qualification): 8-9

The Champions League Women Final Four can be viewed live on www.euroaquaticstv.com and stay up-to-date with live results/tables and real-time updates through the European Aquatics App. Download it here: Google Play.

Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

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