Two Barcelona water polo clubs, Club Natació Catalunya and Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta, have made history by reaching the final of the 2025-2026 Women's Euro Cup. This is the first time either team has advanced to the final of Europe's second most important water polo competition, according to Betevé.
The final will be played over two legs. The first match is scheduled for 27 May at the Sant Sebastià pool, with the return leg on 3 June at the Sant Jordi pool. Both teams progressed through the group stage and knockout rounds with strong performances.
Catalunya's Path to the Final
CN Catalunya, coached by Javi Belmonte, faced BVSC Manna from Hungary in the semi-finals. The first leg of this tie was played at the Sant Jordi pool. Before that, in the quarter-finals, Catalunya was drawn against Greek side Glyfada.
Despite Glyfada having reached the competition's semi-finals the previous season, the Barcelona team secured their place in the semi-finals. In the group stage, CN Catalunya, which finished sixth in the league last season and lost in the Euro Cup quarter-finals by a single goal to Tenerife Echeyde, showed dominance.
Playing their home matches at the Sant Jordi pool, Catalunya was in Group D alongside Pallanuoto Trieste of Italy and III Keruleti TVE of Hungary. They lost their opening group match to Trieste but overturned the goal difference in Italy. They secured victories in both matches against Keruleti.
Atlètic-Barceloneta's Journey
Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta, under coach Chus Martín, met Pallanuoto Trieste in their Euro Cup semi-final. The first leg of this match took place at the Sant Sebastià pool. In the quarter-finals, Atlètic-Barceloneta faced the Polar Bears from the Netherlands.
Initially, this draw seemed challenging, as the Dutch team had aspirations in the competition. However, Atlètic-Barceloneta eliminated them. The team's journey in the Euro Cup started after they finished seventh in the Women's División de Honor and took advantage of CE Mediterrani's withdrawal to enter the competition.
Atlètic-Barceloneta started in a preliminary phase, where they topped their group to qualify for the main group stage. Their performance in this second round began with a loss to Padua in Italy. However, the team then secured three consecutive victories, which propelled them to the top of their group standings.
Both clubs will now prepare for the historic final, with the first leg set for 27 May and the decisive return match on 3 June, determining the champion of the 2025-2026 Women's Euro Cup.
