Barcelona's Club Natació Catalunya (CN Catalunya) and Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta (CNAB) have made history by reaching the Euro Cup women's water polo final for the 2025-2026 season. This marks the first time either club has advanced to the final of Europe's second most important water polo competition.

The final will take place over two legs, offering fans two opportunities to witness the historic clash. The first leg is scheduled for 27 May at the Sant Sebastià pool, located in the coastal Barceloneta district. The return match will follow on 3 June at the iconic Sant Jordi pool, a major sports facility in the Eixample district.

Both teams, coached by Javi Belmonte for CN Catalunya and Chus Martín for CN Atlètic-Barceloneta, secured their places after navigating group stages and knockout rounds. They performed strongly throughout the competition. Their journey to the final represents a significant milestone for women's water polo in the city.

CN Catalunya's Road to the Final

CN Catalunya, often playing their home matches at the Sant Jordi pool, demonstrated resilience throughout the competition. In the quarter-finals, the Gràcia-based team faced Greece's Glyfada. This club reached the competition's semi-finals last season. Despite the strong opposition, CN Catalunya secured their passage to the next round. They then met Hungary's BVSC Manna in the semi-finals. The first leg was played at the Sant Jordi pool.

During the group stage, CN Catalunya was part of Group D. This group included Italy's Pallanuoto Trieste and Hungary's III Keruleti TVE. They initially lost their first group match to Trieste. However, they managed to reverse the goal difference in the return fixture in Italy. The team also secured victories in both matches against Keruleti. Last season, CN Catalunya finished sixth in the league. They narrowly lost their Euro Cup quarter-final by one goal to Tenerife Echeyde.

CN Atlètic-Barceloneta's Journey

Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta also showed impressive form on their path to the final. The team, based in the Barceloneta neighbourhood, overcame the Netherlands' Polar Bears in the quarter-finals. This opponent had high aspirations for the competition. Their semi-final opponent was Italy's Pallanuoto Trieste. The first leg was held at the Sant Sebastià pool.

CN Atlètic-Barceloneta entered the Euro Cup after finishing seventh in the women's División de Honor. They benefited from the withdrawal of Club Esportiu Mediterrani. The team topped their preliminary phase group. This qualified them for the main group stage. In this second round, the team faced an early setback. They lost their opening match to Padua in Italy. However, CNAB then achieved three consecutive victories. These wins propelled them to the top of their group standings.

Impact on Barcelona Water Polo

This historic achievement highlights the growing strength of women's water polo in Barcelona. Both clubs have consistently performed well. Their presence in a major European final will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes. The matches at Sant Sebastià and Sant Jordi pools will draw significant local attention. These venues are central to Barcelona's sporting infrastructure.

The final offers a unique opportunity for Barcelona residents and visitors to support local talent on a European stage. It also brings prestige to the city's sports clubs. The outcome of the two-leg final will determine which Barcelona team lifts the Euro Cup trophy.

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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.