Race for Euro Cup main stage intensifies after dramatic second day of women’s qualifiers

The penultimate day of the women’s Euro Cup Qualification Round set up a real Super Sunday, as there’s still plenty to play for across all three pools. None of the group winners have been decided, and the battle for the best runners-up spot only intensified as every team kept driving forward to boost their all-important goal difference. Zodiac CNAB and Polar Bears were relentless, powering to comprehensive wins against Mladost and Galatasaray respectively, while Kerulet reignited their campaign with a crucial 10-13 victory against Vojvodina.

2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Qualification Round, Day 2
Saturday 18 October

Group A
(Zagreb, Croatia)

Zodiac CNAB (ESP) 18-4 ZAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO)

Group B
(Ede, Netherlands)

Polar Bears (NED) 22-6 Galatasaray Zena (TUR)

Group C
(Novi Sad, Serbia)

VK Vojvodina (SRB) 10-13 III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)

Group A
(Zagreb, Croatia)

Zodiac CNAB (ESP) 18-4 ZAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO)

Zodiac CNAB looked anything but European debutants as they demolished ZAVK Mladost Zagreb, winning by 14 goals and effectively out of sight by half-time at 8-2.

CNAB’s Alejandra Aznar was electric in the opening two minutes – sprinting to win the ball before firing in a stunning hat-trick to put her team 3-0 up almost before Mladost had drawn breath.

With only group winners and the best runners-up progressing to the main stage, every side has shown little mercy so far, continuing to attack regardless of the scoreline, as goal difference is likely to prove decisive in the race for the final Euro Cup ticket.

Defensively, CNAB suffocated their opponents, barely giving them an inch. They did an especially good job nullifying Ria Glas – who had scored six against Panionios on Friday – as she left the pool empty-handed.

Aznar finished the night with a game-high six goals, while Nada Mandic also impressed for the Spaniards, netting four, and veteran Olympic gold medallist Paula Leiton hit two in a dominant display.

The result ends Mladost’s Euro Cup campaign, sending them to the Conference Cup, while CNAB and Panionios will face off on Sunday morning to see who tops Group A.

Group B
(Ede, Netherlands)

Polar Bears (NED) 22-6 Galatasaray Zena (TUR)

Galatasaray Zena endured another tough night in the Netherlands. After losing 27-5 to Bogliasco on Friday, they were comfortably beaten 22-6 by Polar Bears on Saturday.

The result ends their qualification hopes and sets up a winner-takes-all clash for the final day between Bogliasco and Polar Bears.

Defensively, Galatasaray were powerless to stop Polar Bears’ lethal attacks and were out of contention well before half-time, trailing 12-2.

Amy Kleinlugtebeld – part of the Netherlands U19 squad that finished sixth at last year’s European Championships in Zagreb – led the charge for the Dutch side with an impressive six-goal haul.

Aniek Roekevisch also caught the eye, firing in four goals to help steer her team to an emphatic victory.

Galatasaray will now hope to fare better in the Conference Cup, while Polar Bears play their decisive game against a rested Bogliasco on Sunday lunchtime.

Group C
(Novi Sad, Serbia)

VK Vojvodina (SRB) 10-13 III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)

Kerulet coach Denes Lukacs cut a forlorn figure on the poolside during his side’s shock shootout defeat to Hapoel Yoqeam on Friday, but 24 hours later, his team reignited their Euro Cup hopes with a 10-13 victory over VK Vojvodina.

It was a must-win clash for the Hungarians, and the result might just be enough to keep their Euro Cup adventure alive. Now they can only watch and hope results elsewhere go their way on the final day.

Against the hosts, Kerulet went ahead in the fourth minute (1-2) and it was a lead they never surrendered.

Vojvodina trailed by three (3-6) at half-time, but fought their way back in the third, cutting the deficit to one (7-8) heading into the final quarter.

The home side squandered a six-on-five chance early in the fourth after a time-out, much to the frustration of the home fans, and were punished almost immediately as Kerulet’s Eniko Rajna finished smartly to make it 7-9.

Vojvodina missed two more power plays, which appeared to rock their confidence, and the Hungarians seized control – hitting the next three goals without reply to all but seal the points at 7-12.

Milica Mocan (twice) and Iuliia Savchenko netted late consolations for the Serbians, but with Kerulet’s Roza Hajdu also completing her hat-trick from a six-on-five, the result was never in danger.

Vojvodina now face Hapoel on Sunday to decide the group’s fate – and will likely need a huge win against the Israelis if they are to snatch the best runners-up spot across all three pools.

Who will make the final cut for the main Group Stage on Sunday and join the eight teams that have already qualified?

Euro Cup Women
2025/26 Group Stage
November 8th-December 13th

Group A
Lille UC (FRA), Winner EC Qualification Group B, Ethnikos (GRE)

Group B
BVSC Manna ABC (HUN), Winner EC Qualification Group C, ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE)

Group C
Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA), Grand Nancy AC (FRA), Winner EC Qualification Group A

Group D
EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP), Best 2nd place team in EC Qualification, Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics

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