Euro Cup Women: Ethnikos surge into last eight, while Trieste and Padova suffer first defeats

Ethnikos OFPF were the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals of the women’s Euro Cup after a comprehensive 23-11 victory against Lille UC on Day 4 of the Group Stage. Elsewhere, Pallanuoto Trieste and Antenore Plebiscito Padova were beaten for the first time – by EPlus CN Catalunya and Zodiac CNAB respectively – ending their hopes of securing progression with a game to spare.

2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Group Stage, Day 4
Saturday 20 December

Group A

Ethnikos OFPF (GRE) 23-11 Lille UC (FRA)

Group B

*Hapoel Yoqneam (ISR) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
*Postponed until Saturday 21 February

Group C

Zodiac CNAB (ESP) 13-11 Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA)

Group D

Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA) 10-13 EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP)

Group A

Ethnikos OFPF (GRE) 23-11 Lille UC (FRA)

Ethnikos OFPF maintained their perfect start to the Group Stage with a 23-11 demolition of Lille UC on Saturday evening.

Four goals without reply after 1-1 set the tone, as the Greeks controlled the early exchanges and established an unassailable 11-4 lead by half-time.

The French offered some resistance in the third, losing that period by just one (4-3), but drifted further out of sight in the fourth, as Ethnikos finished strongly, winning the last quarter 8-4.

After beating Lille in France by 11 goals on Day 1 (6-17), Ethnikos went one better in front of their own fans by recording a 12-goal winning margin.

It was a fully deserved victory, and with nine points from three games, it guarantees their spot in the last eight with a game to spare.

Eleni Kanetidou led the scoring for Ethnikos with four goals, while Lille’s Lara Andres and captain Cecilia Nardini both hit consolation hat-tricks.

Despite the loss, Lille are still mathematically in the race, but they would need to miraculously win by 12 goals or more in their last game away to Polar Bears on Day 6 in order to progress.

Group C

Zodiac CNAB (ESP) 13-11 Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA)

European newcomers Zodiac CNAB got their revenge on Antenore Plebiscito Padova by edging a fierce battle 13-11, with Alejandra Aznar and Clara Diaz inflicting most of the damage by scoring four each.

The Spaniards were determined to make up for their 13-11 defeat in Italy on Day 1 and got off to a flying start by opening up a 5-1 lead, thanks mainly to a stunning Aznar hat-trick inside three minutes.

It was a terrible first quarter for the 2024 Euro Cup winners, but Stefano Posterivo’s team came roaring back in the second to level the scores at 6-6.

Nerea Martin edged the hosts back in front with 33 seconds remaining – firing in a six-on-five shot from distance that kissed the left-hand post, leaving Padova goalkeeper Laura Teani no chance.

The game was end-to-end and Padova equalised through Amelie Perkins for 7-7, only for Clara Diaz to nudge CNAB back ahead with a fine finish.

Malika Bovo replied for 8-8 with a rocket from outside 6m, but the Spaniards then hit four without reply to take control of the game early in the fourth.

Bovo and Perkins struck again to cut the gap to two (12-10) with 2:35 on the clock, but Diaz scored from CNAB’s next possession to wrap up the points and move them joint top of the group alongside Padova.

As the result matched the reverse fixture, goal difference is likely to come into play to decide who finishes first in the group on Day 6.

Group D

Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA) 10-13 EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP)

Pallanuoto Trieste coach Paolo Zizza warned his players about the need for a strong start in this clash, recalling how they left themselves with an uphill battle on Day 1 after falling 3-0 behind against the Spaniards.

History repeated itself, though, as EPlus CN Catalunya again started brightly, opening up a 1-4 lead inside the first seven minutes, but this time Trieste weren’t able to recover and go on to claim the three points.

Captain Lucrezia Cergol hammered in a penalty for 2-4 late in the first, and had another opportunity from 5m to reduce the deficit even further, but this time her shot was brilliantly saved by Laura Aarts’ outstretched left hand.

Morgan McDowall did make it 3-4 early in the second quarter, but the Spaniards never surrendered their lead.

Trieste trailed by one on two more occasions (5-6 and 6-7 at half-time), but that was as close as they could get.

Catalunya opened the third with a powerful 0-3 surge that put them back in charge, and their advantage was two (9-11) ahead of the final quarter.

When Emmerson Houghton and Ruth Arino struck first for the visitors in the fourth, that put the hosts in real trouble, and the Spanish defence – expertly marshalled by Aarts – held firm to secure the vital three points.

The 10-13 winning scoreline may also prove crucial in the race for the top spot in this group, as it bettered the Italians’ two-goal (13-15) victory on Day 1.

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics

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