After an action packed summer of international competition, the women’s domestic and continental club season returns shortly.
Most of Europe’s top women’s leagues have released provisional calendars for the forthcoming season; Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Greece have all published substantial but provisional fixture lists, while the Hungarian federation has published the order of the first fixtures without specific dates.
Very little is known about the reimagined Women’s Champions League at this time, aside from the fact that the tournament draw will take place next week at in Podgorica.
Additionally, there is a Women’s World League Super Final scheduled for November rumoured to be hosted by the Spanish Federation. However, we await further information from FINA.
Please note: Fixtures could be subject to amendment at the discretion of each respective national federation. Total Waterpolo is not responsible for any changes to the schedule of fixtures.
Hungary
There are no changes to the Women’s OB I in Hungary this season, with ten teams from last season all retaining their status in the country’s top flight.
UVSE is the reigning champions, having won seven consecutive national championships. However, after acquiring a number of quality players this summer, Ferencvaros will be a major competitor to UVSE’s dynasty of dominance. Eger, who won the Hungarian Cup last season, have also strengthened, and will likely challenge for a top-four finish.
The league will continue with the same structure as the previous year. Each team will play every other team twice (once at home and once on the road) before moving on to the championship playoffs for classification.
Photo: UVSE
Participating teams: UVSE, Dunaujvaros, FTC Telekom, BVSC-Zuglo, ZF Eger, Szentes, Szeged, III Keruleti, GYVSE Gyor, Tatabanya
Day 1 Fixtures (15 October):
GYVSE Gyor vs FTC
BVSC vs Szentes
Szeged vs ZF Eger
Dunaujvaros vs Tatabanya
III Keruleti vs UVSE
Calendar: Day 1: 15th October, TBC
Spain
Perhaps Europe’s best league has never been more exciting than it is right now. Sabadell, the current champions, are defending their title for the nineteenth time, but they have strong competition from big spenders CN Mataro and CE Mediterrani.
After a dismal campaign last season, AR Concepcion were relegated to the second division; Tenerife Echeyde have taken their place in the top flight to begin their inaugural season in the Division de Honor, for which they will have high expectations.
The league consists of twelve teams, playing each other in a traditional home and away format. The top four teams will advance to the championship semifinals and finals, both of which will be best-of-three series.
The first eleven rounds of fixtures have been confirmed.
Photo: RFEN
Participating teams: Astralpool Sabadell, CN Mataro, CE Mediterrani, CN Terrassa, CN Sant Andreu, CN Rubi, CN Catalunya, ESC Zaragoza, CD Boadilla, CN Sant Feliu, CN Atletic Barceloneta, Tenerife Santa Cruz Echeyde
Day 1 Fixtures (15 October):
Tenerife Santa Cruz Echeyde vs CN Catalunya
Astralpool Sabadell vs CD Boadilla
CN Mataro vs CN Atletic Barceloneta
CN Terrassa vs CN Sant Feliu
CN Sant Andreu vs ESC Zaragoza
CE Mediterrani vs CN Rubi
Calendar: Day 1: 15th October, Day 2: 22nd October, Day 3: 29th October, Day 4: 5th November, Day 5: 12th November, Day 6: 19th November, Day 7: 26th November, Day 8: 3rd December, Day 9: 10th December, Day 10: 17th December, Day 11: 14th January
Italy
The Italian league season does not get underway until the 22nd of October, but the Italian Cup begins before the domestic season, on October 8th.
There will be a notable absence in the Italian league this season though. Despite finishing in the top four of the Italian league last season and qualifying for the Euro League, CSS Vetrocar Verona will not be participating in the Italian A1 this year due to financial difficulties. The Sicilian based club, Brizz Nuoto will take their place. Brizz finished top of the A2 last season.
Ekipe Orizzonte Catania are the reigning champions from the last three seasons and will have to continue to fend off a fierce challenge from Plebiscito Padova.
Photo: FIN
Participating teams: Ekipe Orizzonte, Plebiscito Padova, SIS Roma, Pallanuoto Trieste, Bogliasco 1951, RN Florentia, Como Nuoto, RN Bologna, Rapallo Pallanuoto, Brizz Nuoto
Day 1 Fixtures (22 October):
Ekipe Orizzonte vs RN Florentia
RN Bologna vs Rapallo Pallanuoto
SIS Roma vs Pallanuoto Trieste
Plebiscito Padova vs Como Nuoto
Brizz Nuoto vs Bogliasco 1951
Calendar: Day 1: 22nd October, Day 2: 5th November, Day 3: 12th November, Day 4: 19th November, Day 5: 26th November, Day 6: 3rd December, Day 7: 10 December, Day 8: 7th January, Day 9: 14th January, Day 10: 21st January, Day 11: 28 January, Day 12: 4th February, Day 13: 11th February, Day 14: 18th February, Day 15: 25 February, Day 16: 11th March, Day 17: 18th March, Day 18: 8th April
Greece
The Greek league is one of the longest running in Europe, beginning earlier (8th October) and ending later (April 12th, 2023) than most others.
With Olympiacos and Ethnikos as the current champions of the Euro League and the LEN Trophy respectively, the league is going from strength to strength, with an influx of foreigners moving to play in the country’s league.
This season, the Greek A1 welcomes two new teams: Alimos NAC and Peristeri SC. Alimos NAC have made a number of key signings and look like an impressive force, while Peristeri SC are looking to consolidate their place in the Greece’s top fight in their debut season.
Olympiacos are the favourites to win the league, and should they do so, it would be their tenth consecutive title in a row.
Photo: Olympiacos SFP
Participating teams: Olympiacos Piraeus, ANO Glyfada, NC Vouliagmeni, Ethnikos Piraeus, AEK, Panionios, NC Patra, NC Larissa, NC Rethymnou, PAOK, Alimos NAC, Peristeri SC
Day 1 Fixtures (8 October):
ANO Glyfada vs NC Vouliagmeni
PAOK vs Alimos NAC
Ethnikos vs NC Rethymnou
Peristeri SC vs Olympiacos
NC Larissa vs Panionios
Calendar: Day 1: 8th October, Day 2: 15th October, Day 3: 22nd October, Day 4: 29th October, Day 5: 5th November, Day 6: 12th November, Day 7: 12th November, Day 8: 19th November, Day 9: 3rd December, Day 10: 10th December, Day 11: 17th December, Day 12: 7th January, Day 13: 14th January, Day 14: 21st January, Day 15: 21st January, Day 16: 28th January, Day 17: 11th February, Day 18: 18th February, Day 19: 25th February, Day 20: 3rd March, Day 21: 18th March, Day 22: 29th March, Day 23:1st April, Day 24: 12th April
Netherlands
The ever-competitive Dutch water polo league begins on the 8th October. While many of the Netherland’s top players are still spending time in other European leagues, others have decided to return to the Eredivisie which will certainly make for a higher standard of competition.
The Ede Polar Bears, who have won the last two titles, including the domestic treble last season, are still the team to beat. But ZV De Zaan and GZC Donk will feel they have a good chance of dethroning them this season.
Photo: Polar Bears Ede
Participating teams: Het Ravijn, Polar Bears, UZSC, De Ham, ZV De Zaan, ZVL-1886 Center, GZC Donk, PSV
Day 1 Fixtures (8 October):
De Ham vs Polar Bears
PSV vs ZV De Zaan
ZVL-1886 vs GZC Donk
Het Ravijn vs UZSC
Calendar: Day 1: 8th October, Day 2: 15th October, Day 3: 22nd October, Day 4: 29th October, Day 5: 5th November, Day 6: 12 November, Day 7: 19th November, Day 8: 26 November, Day 9: 3rd December, Day 10: 10th December, Day 11: 21 January, Day 12: 28th January, Day 13: 29th January, Day 14: 11 February, Day 15: 18th February, Day 16: 4th March, Day 17: 5th March, Day 18: 11th March
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