New Champions League Women season set to kick off with spectacular clashes

The opening day of the Champions League Women Group Stage promises pure entertainment this weekend. With a balanced playing field, the competition is set to produce fierce battles throughout the group phase. The top clubs from Europe’s ‘Big Five’ nations are ready to take centre stage once again, with the usual powerhouses all present. There are four clubs each from Hungary and Spain, and three each from Greece and Italy, with one each from the Netherlands and Germany completing the high-calibre field.

2025/26 Champions League Women
Group Stage, Day 1
Saturday 25 October
(Local times shown)

Group A

18:00 Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE) vs Olympiacos SFP (GRE)
18:00 UVSE Helia-D (HUN) vs DFZE Vizilabda (HUN)

Group B

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

Group C

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

Group D

17:00 CN Sant Andreu (ESP) vs ONE Eger (HUN)
18:00 SIS Roma (ITA) vs ZV De Zaan (NED)

Group A

Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE) vs Olympiacos SFP (GRE)
UVSE Helia-D (HUN) vs DFZE Vizilabda (HUN)

Group A looks set to be one of the most exciting, featuring two clubs each from Greece and Hungary – the same nations that contested the finals at last season’s World Cup and World Championships.

Olympiacos, bronze medallists at the previous Final Four, stand out as favourites, while the remaining three teams will likely battle for the second qualifying spot.

Alimos pushed Olympiacos to the limit in their Champions League opener last season at home, so this weekend’s clash promises to be a dramatic encounter.

In the all-Hungarian duel, UVSE are clear favourites at home against Dunaujvaros, though the two sides have some history of close and tense meetings in local competitions.

Group B

Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA) vs Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP)
CN Terrassa (ESP) vs Assolim CN Mataró (ESP)

Group B is highlighted by a historic showdown, as Orizzonte, the record eight-time champions, face Sabadell, who rank second on the all-time list with seven titles.

Sabadell have undergone some changes since their surprise loss in last season’s final to Sant Andreu, but they remain one of the main favourites to lift the 2025/26 title.

Despite starting the season without star players Maica Garcia and Judith Forca, who both recently gave birth, Sabadell remain strong contenders.

Mataro’s ambitious project to dethrone Sabadell seems to have been scaled back a little, as the club now relies more on a blend of Spanish veterans and young talents rather than foreign signings.

Still, they possess enough quality to challenge Orizzonte – though they must avoid dropping points against Terrassa, the underdogs of the group.

Group C

FTC-Telekom (HUN) vs Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) vs Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)

While Group A features strong Greek and Hungarian representation, Group C might deliver the fiercest competition, as the reigning champions from both nations face off right from the start.

FTC-Telekom, who ended UVSE’s domestic dominance last spring, and Vouliagmeni, who broke Olympiacos’ long-standing Greek supremacy, are both aiming for deep European runs.

FTC strengthened their line-up with major signings Rita Keszthelyi and Bea Ortiz, making them one of the tournament’s top favourites – their goal is clear: to follow in the footsteps of their men’s team, which has ruled Europe since 2024.

Vouliagmeni boast a powerful mix of Greek stars, led by Eleni Xenaki, along with Dutch European champions Kitty Joustra and Lola Moolhuijzen, and Canada’s Kyra Christmas.

Rapallo will need near-perfect performances in later rounds to challenge the group favourites, while the Italians’ opener against Spandau – the surprise qualifiers – offers a more attainable opportunity for an early win.

Group D

CN Sant Andreu (ESP) vs ONE Eger (HUN)
SIS Roma (ITA) vs ZV De Zaan (NED)

Reigning champions Sant Andreu, fresh from capturing their first-ever Super Cup, enter as overwhelming favourites and are eager to extend their remarkable European winning run.

Their home opener against Hungary’s bronze medallists Eger is a must-win encounter, though the Hungarians proved their strength by edging out Terrassa and Glyfada in qualification.

The fight for the second qualifying spot should be close among the remaining three teams, with the clash between SIS Roma and Euro Cup winners De Zaan especially crucial. But predicting a favourite in that match-up is no easy task.

Watch all the Champions League Women action on European Aquatics TV

For full Champions League Women fixtures, results, stats and tables, click here or download the European Aqautics app

Stay tuned to the European Aquatics Water Polo social media accounts for more news and live updates on Facebook and Instagram

Watch water polo highlights and previews on our YouTube channel

Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

The post New Champions League Women season set to kick off with spectacular clashes first appeared on European Aquatics®.