Euro Cup Women: Trieste, BVSC, Catalunya and CNAB ready to battle for a place in the final

After 11 rounds of pulsating water polo action, 13 teams have been eliminated and four remain as the hunt for the women’s Euro Cup title reaches the semifinal stage. An all-Spanish final is a possibility as EPlus CN Catalunya and European newcomers Zodiac CNAB were kept apart in the draw, but standing in their way are two formidable opponents – BVSC Manna ABC and the runners-up from the past two seasons, Pallanuoto Trieste.

2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Semifinals, Leg 1
Saturday 11 April
(Local times shown)

16:00: EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
13:00: Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)

Second legs: Saturday 16 May

16:00: EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)

EPlus CN Catalunya have reached the semifinals of the Euro Cup for the first time in the club’s history and have their sights set on becoming the first Spanish team to contest the gold medal game since Mataro were beaten finalists in 2021.

Last season, Catalunya came unstuck in the quarterfinals against domestic rivals CN Tenerife Echeyde, but this year they progressed to the last four after edging past ANC Glyfada iRepair 20-19 on aggregate, following tight clashes in Spain and Greece.

Powerful British centre-forward Toula Falvey scored the crucial 12th goal for Catalunya in the second leg at home against Glyfada, which proved to be the decider.

“We have good feelings and a lot of enthusiasm about this weekend’s game,” said Catalunya coach Javier Belmonte.

“I think we are ready; we have had a very good week of training during the Easter holidays, and arrive in the best possible way.

“First, we play at home, at Sant Jordi, and that is an important factor. I think we become great there and, without changing our identity, that is going to help us a lot.”

Another tough challenge awaits the Spaniards this weekend in the shape of Hungary’s BVSC Manna ABC, who are the only remaining undefeated team in this season’s competition, having won all six of their games so far – including impressive home and away victories against 2024 champions Antenore Plebiscito Padova in the previous round.

After beating the Italians 24-17 on aggregate, BVSC recorded the biggest winning margin of all the quarterfinals and are now looking to reach their first-ever final, having narrowly missed out in the 2024 semifinals, where they lost to eventual winners Padova.

“In the top four, only strong teams remain, so we’re expecting a tough and closely contested game,” said BVSC coach Gergely Beres.

“We would like to return home with an advantage, just like we did against Padova. We’re hoping for a similarly strong start and are working hard towards that – the girls are already very excited about this match.”

13:00: Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)

Zodiac CNAB have enjoyed a fairy-tale-like debut European season so far. The Catalans sailed through qualifying with two comprehensive wins, recorded three victories from four games in the group stage, and then dismantled Polar Bears 23-21 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.

With the likes of Olympic champion Paula Leiton among their ranks, they have blended experience with emerging talent, while coach Chus Martin has expertly guided his side into the last four.

“For our club, reaching the Euro Cup semifinals in our first year competing in Europe is a huge achievement, but we don’t want to settle for that,” said Martin.

“We are just two matches away from playing in the final, and the team is very excited about this possibility.

“Trieste are a team that have reached the final of this competition for the past two years, which gives them more experience, but we are prepared.

“These will be two very tough matches, and in the first one at home we need to be strong and try to get the best possible result, as the return leg in Italy will be extremely difficult.

“We are ready to fight to get through this tie and reach the final.”

This weekend, they will face their biggest test yet as they line up against the silver medallists from 2024 and 2025, Pallanuoto Trieste.

After losing back-to-back finals, the Italians have plenty of unfinished business in this competition and will look to draw on their recent semifinal triumphs to reach a third successive gold medal game.

In the quarterfinals, Trieste were made to work hard to get past Ethnikos OFPF, especially after falling 0-3 behind in the second leg, but they bounced back to secure a 19-16 aggregate victory.

“We are facing high-level opponents this weekend, a team with several talented individual players,” said Trieste coach Paolo Zizza. “They have very specific tactical characteristics that enhance their quality, so we will try to neutralise them.

“We expect a semifinal that will be hard-fought, and the outcome will come down to the small details.”

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics

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