Champions League Women: Penultimate round promises several thrillers as action resumes after European break

Two weeks after the women’s European Championships concluded on Madeira, Champions League action resumes with the penultimate round. The first four rounds in the Group Stage barely produced unexpected results, though it’s hard to predict if the favourites have managed to reach, or at least get close to, their usual levels after the long break.

2025/26 Champions League Women
Group Stage, Day 5
Saturday 21 February

Group A
(Local times shown)

20:00: Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE) v DFVE Vizilabda (HUN)
15:30: UVSE-Helia D (HUN) v Olympiacos SFP (GRE)

Standings: 1. Olympiacos 12pts, 2. UVSE 6pts, 2. DFVE 6pts, 4. Alimos 0pts

Almost 20 days ago, Hungary and Greece staged a tremendous thriller in the semi-finals at the Europeans in Funchal (the Magyars prevailed in a shootout) – now most of the players will be back in the pool to continue this great rivalry again, now playing for their respective clubs.

Olympiacos face a great challenge in Budapest, though the game is more important for UVSE, who lost somewhat surprisingly to Dunaujvaros, heating up the race for the runners-up spot. The Greeks have practically reached the quarters, and they can still afford a two-goal loss to keep the top spot (as they beat UVSE 9-6 in Piraeus), still, they won’t offer any free gifts for the Magyars.

Kamilla Farago of UVSE is excited before the big game: “We are really looking forward to this match, especially because it will be our first with the club after a while. We are very motivated and excited to play against Olympiakos. Our previous game was a tough one and we gave our best effort, but we know that we need to improve both individually and as a team if we want to win this game.”

Coach Marton Benczur’s approach is slightly different: “It’s quite difficult to prepare properly in this situation, but we’re trying to do our best. We haven’t played a game since 13 December – there have been 70 days between the two matches. That’s a really long time, but we will never look for excuses; it’s just a fact. Since Monday, 16 February, we’ve been training together again and preparing to play a good game.”

The other Greek vs Hungarian affair can also become a tense battle as Alimos, despite already being eliminated, should go for their first points against DFVE. At the same time, the Hungarian side badly need the points as their last game against Olympiacos may not promise any better chance to gain anything in that match than this one on Saturday.

“I can’t wait to see all the physical work we did in January pay off,” DFVE leftie Brigitta Horvath said before the match. “The home game against Alimos was a great memory, and I’d love to recreate that same energy and result.”

Team-mate Ilona Borsi offered another angle for their visit to Greece: “I’m really happy to be able to get a bit of sunshine and be with the team for this match. Excited to start the international 2026 season together and hopefully put on a great performance.”

Note, that in case the two Hungarians finish on equal points, UVSE will advance based on the results obtained against each other (17-11, 10-11).

Group B
(Local times shown)

17:00: Ekipe Orizzonte (ESP) v Assolim CN Mataro (ESP)
18:00: CN Terrassa (ESP) v Astralpool Sabadell (ESP)

Standings: 1. Mataro 12pts, 2. Sabadell 8pts, 3. Orizzonte 4pts, 4. Terrassa 0pts

Mataro have already reached the quarters and Sabadell are on their way to join them, though both have some tasks to do. Mataro enjoy a comfortable five-point lead, but their visit to Catania promises anything but easy cruising.

Coach Dani Ballart reflected to that in his pre-game interview saying: “We’re fully aware of how important this match is, because a win would secure first place in the group mathematically, with one game still to play. We also know Orizzonte’s history and how strong they are at home. That said, both teams are coming into a different context after a two-month break due to the European Championships. We’ll see which team has adapted faster in the short time we’ve had to get back to training together.”

The former Spanish great also hinted what the team practiced before this game: “We’ve focused a lot on the tactical side, trying to quickly get back to the level and the automatisms we had before the international break. We’ve only played two league matches before this Champions League game, so we’ll need to manage both our energy and our mind-set well if we want to achieve the win.”

The Italians want to grab their last chance, however slim it is – also, a loss would jeopardise Mataro’s top spot as they are to meet Sabadell in the last round, while a regular-time victory would cement Assolim’s first place.

“We are ready for this next game of the Champions League this weekend,” Orizzonte’s Bronte Halligan said. “Excited to play at home against Mataró. The last game was a tough, high-paced game and we are hoping to take what we learnt from the last game into this one. These seasons are long and every game for us is an important opportunity to learn and get better as a team. Hopefully we can show up well and play for each other. We are excited to be playing at home in front of our great fans of Ekipe Orizzonte.”

Six-time winners Sabadell visit their neighbours, Terrassa, and they are set to secure their spot in the best eight with an away win. However, their rivals have different thoughts.

“It’s our second Champions League match at home, and we’re really excited to play in front of our fans – we were only able to do that in the first Champions League match, and that already feels like a long time ago,” Terrassa’s coach Xavi Perez said. “Even though we no longer have a chance to qualify, the team is fully focused on securing this first victory. We’re very motivated to play the Champions League at home and want to show the best version of ourselves.

“We’re ready to try to overcome Sabadell. We’re aware of how difficult the match will be, but we want to deliver a strong performance and play a great game in front of our supporters.”

Group C
(Local times shown)

18:00: Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
16:00: FTC-Telekom (HUN) v Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)

Standings: 1. FTC 10pts, 2. Vouliagmeni 8pts, 3. Rapallo 6pts, 4. Spandau 0pts

Having downed Vouliagmeni in Greece before the European Championships’ break, FTC manoeuvred themselves into pole position and they just need to beat Rapallo to secure their quarter-final berth and probably the top spot as their last game is a home tie with Spandau.

Their match in Italy was a 31-goal epic where Fradi came out on top at the end, 14-17, however, that also showed that the Hungarians cannot take anything for granted this Saturday. Still, many of their players are fresh from the national team’s great run in Madeira, so the home side are the big favourite in this match.

Vouliagmeni should grab all three points in Berlin against Spandau as the Germans are not on the same level with the other three teams in this group – their closest game was a nine-goal loss in Rapallo.

Vouliagmeni’s coach Kiki Liosi still approaches the upcoming match carefully: “Spandau may not have secured a win in Europe yet, however that means absolutely nothing to us. Every game requires total seriousness, concentration, and competitive discipline.”

Lola Moolhuijzen, fuelled by the golden memories with the Dutch team in Madeira, returned to her Greek club in great shape: “We are excited to start the Champions League again. After a hard but exciting winter break, we are happy to be back together again. We wanna start the second half of the season with a win. So that’s our goal for the game in Berlin!”

Group D
(Local times shown)

17:00: CN Sant Andreu (ESP) v ZV De Zaan (NED)
21:00: SIS Roma (ITA) v ONE Eger (HUN)

Standings: 1. St Andreu 12pts, 2. Roma 9pts, 3. De Zaan 3pts, 4. Eger 0pts

In this group, the quarter-final berths have already been sealed by St Andreu and Roma. Both are playing at home and they are set to add three more points to set up a final showdown for the top spot where the title-holder Spaniards hold a three-point advantage.

Their match against De Zaan is the rematch of the Super Cup final, also played in St Andreu’s pool last October and the Spanish team didn’t leave much chance for the Dutch in that game, crashing them 17-10 – nor in their away game on Day 2, ending in another seven-goal beating (14-7).

In the Dutch camp they are aware of realities: “This will be another tough match for us” coach Mick van den Bree said. “Once again this season, Sant Andreu have shown that they are one of the title favourites. Unfortunately, we have already been eliminated from the race for the quarterfinals. However, we want to show ourselves at our very best in the remaining two matches and make it as difficult as possible for Sant Andreu.”

De Zaan’s Christina Hicks is still in an upbeat mood: “I’m looking forward to this. Just back from the European Championships where we played against Spain – wow with ZV de Zaan against the strong Sant Andreu. These are fantastic matches. Tough for us, but a learning experience. We’re going to do our best.”

Roma clash with Eger and are the favourites to land a fine win. “We’re playing a Champions League match that always has a special appeal,” Capanna Marco said. “Finally at home after three consecutive away games and having already qualified for the quarterfinals. We want to do well, show our best face, and continue fighting for first place.”

The Hungarians caused some headaches to all their rivals in their home matches, but at the end they had to settle for defeats in all and it’s hard to see them causing a minor miracle in the Italian capital this Saturday.

Still, their legendary coach, Peter Biros, three-time Olympic champion as a player, is optimistic before the match: “We’re really looking forward to the match and to playing again. The home game was a battle between evenly matched sides, and I expect the same from the return leg. I’d be happy if we could come away with a point, or points, but the main thing is that we keep improving from match to match.”

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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

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