Barcelona club CN Atlètic-Barceloneta beat CN Sabadell 17-13 in the opening match of the water polo league final at the Sant Sebastià pool in Barcelona on 24 May 2026. The result gives the home side a lead in the tie as they chase a 26th league title, which would also be their 20th in a row.
Sabadell, from the Vallès region, are aiming for their first league title in their third straight final appearance. Gergely Burian was the top scorer for Atlètic-Barceloneta, with five goals.
Atlètic-Barceloneta set the pace early. They led 7-3 after the first quarter, with Burian playing a key role, and were 9-6 ahead at half-time despite Sabadell drawing four exclusions in the first 16 minutes.
Quim Colet's Sabadell side cut the gap to one goal after the restart, making it 9-8, but Atlètic-Barceloneta responded to stop an equaliser. They moved into the final quarter with a 13-9 lead and then held on to close out the 17-13 win.
The second match of the final is set for 30 May at 12pm at the Can Llong pool in Sabadell. Atlètic-Barceloneta can secure the domestic title there if they finish the job.
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