With just a few days remaining until the pinnacle of the club water polo season—the Champions League Final Four in Malta (May 29 – June 1)—Total Waterpolo will present each of the four participating teams.
We begin with Barceloneta, the Spanish powerhouse that secured 2nd place in Group B of the Quarter Final Stage behind title-holder Ferencvaros. After missing out on the Final Four last year, Barceloneta returns, encouraged by a great series of results this season.
Founded in 1913, Barceloneta first tasted domestic success in the 1970s. However, the following decades were relatively quiet in terms of major achievements. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the club began to rise to prominence, rivaling Spanish giants such as Barcelona and Catalunya—both former European champions. Since 2006, Barceloneta has dominated Spanish water polo, winning 20 consecutive national championships and 18 national cups—missing the domestic “double crown” only in 2011 and 2012. The club’s last loss in domestic competition dates back to 2023 (to Sabadell in the regular season).
Barceloneta’s breakthrough on the European stage came in 2000, when it reached the semifinals of the LEN Trophy (today’s Euro Cup).
Rise to European top after 100th birthday
A landmark achievement came in 2013, coinciding with the club’s centenary. That year, Barceloneta reached the Champions League Final Four for the first time, finishing third in Belgrade. The following season marked a historic moment: Barceloneta hosted the inaugural Final Six and shocked the favorites by claiming the Champions League title—defeating Brescia in the quarterfinals, Primorje in the semifinals, and Radnicki in the final. Two European champions from 2014 are in Barceloneta’s roster today: then 20-year-old Alberto Munarriz and water polo icon Felipe Perrone, who had already won his first Champions League with Pro Recco two years earlier. The upcoming tournament in Malta will be especially emotional, as it marks Perrone’s final Champions League appearance—a fitting farewell for a legend of the sport.
Unai Aguirre and Felipe Perrone Photo by CNA Barceloneta
Since winning the 2014 Champions League, Barceloneta has become almost a regular participant in the F6/F8 tournaments. From an underdog team that could surprise, Barceloneta has evolved into a team that all rivals should fear.
In the years following a historic 2014 season, the Spaniards haven’t played in the Champions League gold-medal match. Still, they were the semifinalists five times (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023). They did not reach the final tournament only twice (in 2017 and 2024).
Impressive season
The Spanish champion has had an impressive season. Barceloneta continued its dominance in the national competitions, winning all the trophies with 30 victories in as many matches. They suffered only one loss in 12 games in Europe. In early February, Ferencvaros defeated the Spaniards in the Champions League with a score of 18:10. However, Barceloneta quickly bounced back from that defeat and, two months later, became the first (and so far, the only) club to beat Ferencvaros this season, winning 13:12 in a penalty shootout.
Power engine of Spanish national team
The same players have been the backbone of the team for several seasons. Last summer, Alvaro Granados unexpectedly returned to Barcelona, further strengthening an already formidable team coached by Elvis Fatovic.
Alvaro Granados Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
In recent years, Spain has been the most successful national team, except for its Olympic Games results. The achievements of the Spanish national team are closely tied to Barceloneta’s success, as the club’s results have propelled Spain back to the top of the world stage.
Barceloneta primarily relies on Spanish players, and its stars form the core of the Spanish national team. Spain opened the 2025 season by winning the World Cup, with seven Barceloneta players.
Over the past ten years, Barceloneta has come very close to reaching the final match several times. The most recent instance was in 2023 in Belgrade, where the Spaniards lost to Novi Beograd in a penalty shootout. These two teams are set to meet in the semifinals in Malta, and Barceloneta is eager to seek revenge and achieve even bigger success.
Facts and stats
Barceloneta enters the Final 4 as one of the most balanced and cohesive teams in the Champions League — dangerous in attack, disciplined in defense, and packed with experienced leadership.
They’ve scored 181 goals (2nd overall) while conceding only 115 (3rd), and much of that success stems from their team-first approach. Offensively, they rank 2nd in both assists (128) and power play goals (67), showing elite ball movement and efficiency with the man-up.
At the heart of their offense is Alvaro Granados, currently 3rd on the top scorer list with 35 goals. Supporting him is Alberto Munarriz, the team’s playmaking engine, who ranks 2nd in total assists (27).
Defensively, Felipe Perrone continues to be the soul of this team. At 38, he’s still a master of the craft — leading the Champions League in both steals (21) and blocks (8), a rare and telling combination of anticipation, positioning, and leadership.
In goal, Unai Aguirre has been a rock. With 102 saves, he ranks 3rd overall and consistently delivers in high-pressure moments, giving Barceloneta a reliable last line of defense.
While they’ve had 114 turnovers (5th) and rank 4th in personal fouls drawn (142), their 19 fast-break goals (2nd) prove they can punish teams in transition when chances appear.
Barceloneta may not lead in every category — but they’re near the top in almost and they are the only team to beat Ferencvaros this season.
Roster – Goalkeepers: Unai Aguirre, Nicholas Porter (AUS); Field players: Martin Famera (CZE/ESP), Alvaro Granados, Alberto Munarriz, Bernat Sanahuja, Vince Vigvari (HUN), Marc Valls, Gergely Burian (HUN), Biel Gomila, Roger Tahull, Felipe Perrone, Unai Biel, Alejandro Bustos, Unai Lema, Tomas Perrone. Head coach: Elvis Fatovic
Key players: Felipe Perrone, Alvaro Granados, Unai Aguirre, Alberto Munarriz, Roger Tahull, Bernat Sanahuja, Vince Vigvari, Gergely Burian, Martin Famera…
Last five Champions League seasons – 2024: 5th/6th place (3rd place in the Quarter Final group); 2023: 3rd place; 2022: 5th place; 2021: 4th place; 2020 (after 10 rounds, before cancelling the season): 1st in Group A.
Best results: winner (2014), 3rd place (2013, 2015, 2018, 2023).
Other European trophies: LEN Super Cup (2014)
Road to Malta – Preliminary Stage: 1st place in Group C (18 pts, goal-difference 100:56); Quarter Final Stage: 2nd place in Group B (14 pts, goal-difference 81:59)
Results in other competitions in the season 2024/25– Spanish League: winner, Spanish Cup: winner, Spanish Super Cup: winner.
Follow the live scores and the statistics of the Champions League Final Four on Total Waterpolo Arena
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