Euro Cup Women: Race for Quarter Finals resumes ahead of festive break
As the women’s Euro Cup group stage reaches its halfway point, several teams are looking to get off the mark this weekend, while BVSC Manna ABC and ANC Glyfada iRepair face off to determine who takes control of Group B. Elsewhere, 2024 winners Antenore Plebiscito Padova could plant one foot firmly in the last eight with a home victory against Grand Nancy AC.
2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Group Stage, Day 3
Saturday 13 December
(Local times shown)
Group A
20:00: Lille UC (FRA) v Polar Bears (NED)
Group B
20:00: BVSC Manna ABC (HUN) v ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE)
Group C
17:00: Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA) v Grand Nancy AC (FRA)
Group D
16:00: EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP) v III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)
Group A
20:00: Lille UC (FRA) v Polar Bears (NED)
With Lille UC and Polar Bears both having lost to Ethnikos OFPF, the pressure is on each side to get off the mark on Saturday and edge closer to a place in the last eight.
“The game against Polar Bears is very important for us,” said Lille coach Anestis Pesmatzoglou. “We know it will be challenging because Dutch women’s water polo is at the top level of European and world competition.
“All of our girls are excited for these Euro Cup games, which give us extra experience and motivation to continue moving forward as a team. We will enjoy the game and fight for the victory.”
“Playing games like this is a real privilege and a huge boost for our team,” added Lille’s Cecilia Nardini. “We know it’s going to be a tough challenge.
“We’ve played them many times in recent years, but that just motivates us even more. For many of our players, it’s their first international experience, and every minute we play is a step forward.
“We’ll jump in with zero fear. We have nothing to lose, lots of fun to have, and a great chance to show how much we’re growing every day through hard work.”
Group B
20:00: BVSC Manna ABC (HUN) v ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE)
This game is the standout fixture of Day 3, as the winners will take control of Group B by moving six points clear of bottom side Hapoel Yoqneam with just two games remaining for each team.
“This will be our second home game in the group,” stated BVSC coach Gergely Beres. “In the first match we managed to win against the Israelis [15-12], and now we’ll be playing against a strong Greek team who also defeated the Israelis. I believe this match could decide the first place in the group. I’m very optimistic.”
“We are very excited about our game on Saturday against Glyfada and have been preparing for it a lot,” added BVSC’s Anna Mandula Mucsy. “They are a really strong team, so I expect a tough and good game.”
Glyfada’s Great Britain star Lily Turner, who scored twice in her team’s 12-7 win against Hapoel on Day 2, is fully aware of the difficult task that awaits them in Budapest.
“BVSC are a very strong opponent and will make it really tough for us in their home pool,” said Turner. “It’s important that we focus on ourselves and rise to the challenge.”
Group C
17:00: Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA) v Grand Nancy AC (FRA)
Italy’s Antenore Plebiscito Padova – the 2024 Euro Cup winners – will start as clear favourites in their second Group Stage game against Grand Nancy AC.
The French side are still looking to reverse their fortunes in this competition after losing their last 14 European games over the past three seasons, including a heavy 4-27 defeat to Zodiac CNAB on Day 2.
Padova, meanwhile, began their campaign with a hard-fought 13-11 home victory against the Spanish newcomers and will be aiming for a second successive triumph in front of their own fans.
With just two away games still to come, including against Grand Nancy, a comprehensive win this weekend would effectively guarantee the Italians a place in the last eight.
Group D
16:00: EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP) v III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)
After falling to Pallanuoto Trieste 18-12 in their opening game on Day 2 in Italy, III. Keruleti TVE coach Denes Lukacs is hoping for a positive response from his players this weekend when they take on EPlus CN Catalunya in Spain.
“I’m looking forward to another great away battle on Saturday and we will give everything,” Lukacs said. “Especially as it seems every goal could have a big impact on the outcome of this group, with our two home games still to come.”
“We’re well prepared and ready to take on this next challenge,” added Kerulet’s Lili Frater. “The only acceptable thing is to win and we’re going there for exactly that. It’s not going to be easy to beat Catalunya at their home, but also not impossible.”
Catalunya fell to Trieste as well, at home on Day 1 (13-15), so like the Hungarians, they’re also searching for their first points of this season’s Euro Cup campaign.
“We have been preparing our tactics for this game all week,” said Catalunya’s Dutch goalkeeper Laura Aarts. “We’re also very aware of the importance of this game because we’re at home.”
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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
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