Champions League Update: Mataró, Sabadell, and Sant Andreu Advance
The FERENCVÁROS Hungarian team didn’t disappoint, defeating the Polar Bears Dutch 19-11, while Mataró, despite winning against the Italian Padova 9-16, secured a spot in the Champions League Finals as the second-placed team in their group. This development came on a day that saw Astralpool Sabadell and Sant Andreu confirmed as group leaders after winning against Vauliagmeni Greek 12-11 and Orizzonte Italian Catania 8-12, respectively.
Mataró’s path to the leadership wasn’t in their hands, and after a forceful win against Padova 9-16, with Martina Claveria scoring five goals as the top scorer, they awaited a favor from the already eliminated Polar Bears that never materialized. FERENCVÁROS, having fallen to Mataró in a penalty shootout earlier, got back on the winning path by defeating Polar Bears 19-11, securing their victory with a strong second period where they outscored their opponents 6-3.
Astralpool Sabadell, the current Continental champion, closed the group stage with a perfect record after a tight 12-11 win over Vauliagmeni in Can Llong, a match filled with suspense until the very end that sealed their leadership of Group A. Similarly, Sant Andreu ensured their spot by defeating Orizzonte Catania 8-12 in a serious game, reaffirming their candidacy to repeat their presence in the final four for the second consecutive year.
Other Group Developments
Terrassa bid farewell to the competition with a defeat against the Hungarian Dunaujvaros 10-9, after a balanced game decided in the final moments. A late goal by Greek player Effrosyni Katsimpri condemned the Egarenses to close their European journey as the last-placed team in Group A with only two points from fifteen matches. Despite the outcomes, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of the Champions League, with Mataró, Sabadell, and Sant Andreu among those advancing, each with their eyes on the title.