Before the semifinals of major sports events, it’s common to hear athletes, coaches, and others say, “There are no favorites; anyone can win.” In most cases, that’s true—reaching the semifinals is always a significant achievement, and the differences between teams’ qualities are often small.
This also applies to the upcoming Champions League Final Four in Malta. None of the four teams can be called an underdog.
Still, one team stands out as the clear favorite. Of course, it is Ferencvaros.
The reigning champion is widely regarded as the top contender to lift the trophy once again. Thanks to its outstanding roster, excellent form over recent months—and indeed years—and a string of impressive victories, Ferencvaros enters the tournament with high expectations. In addition, it’s sure that it will have strong support from its fans during the F4.
Now, the Hungarian powerhouse has taken on the role once held by Pro Recco for many years. For the first time, Ferencvaros comes into the final tournament not just as a strong team, but as the undisputed favorite.
Stunning return to European top after many years of drought
Ferencvaros was founded 121 years ago and has had several golden eras during its long history. Six years after its foundation, it won the Hungarian Championships for the first time. It is normal for every club to experience ups and downs. Ferencvaros had one of its longest trophy droughts from the beginning of the 21st century until 2017. In 2013, Ferencvaros finished in 12th place in the Hungarian League. However, the club won the LEN Euro Cup just four years later, marking the beginning of a new golden era. In 2018, Ferencvaros defended the Euro Cup trophy and won its first Hungarian Championships after 18 years. Next year, it triumphed in the Champions League for the first time.
Captain Soma Vogel has been part of all Ferencvaros’ successes since 2017 Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
Since 2017, the Budapest-based club has won two Euro Cups, two Champions League trophies, three European Super Cups, six Hungarian Championships, and seven Hungarian Cups.
Ferencvaros’ first Champions League title, won in 2019, may have come as a surprise. The team triumphed in the Final Eight despite qualifying for the tournament as the fourth-placed team in its group. But since then, none of Ferencvaros’ victories have been unexpected.
Impressive winning streaks
Let’s take a look at their remarkable winning streaks. Just ten days ago, Ferencvaros clinched its 27th Hungarian League title—and its fourth in a row—by sweeping Vasas 3-0 in the final series. That third win over Vasas marked a historic milestone: Ferencvaros’ 100th consecutive victory in domestic competitions. The reigning champions haven’t lost a single match at home since March 2022, when Szolnok handed them their last defeat.
At the 2023 Champions League Final Eight tournament, held in Belgrade, Ferencvaros lost to Olympiacos in the 5th-place match. Since then, Ferencvaros has suffered only two defeats on the European stage. Last season, Olympiacos defeated the Hungarians. This year, Barceloneta took two points in the home game against Ferencvaros after winning a penalty shootout. All in all: 26 European games in two years and 24 wins.
Twelve months ago, at the F4 in Malta, Ferencvaros won its second European title, beating Novi Beograd in the semifinals in a penalty shootout and Pro Recco in another thrilling final.
Now, the Hungarian champions come to take a new trophy.
After the 2025 season, Ferencvaros left without the player who had been instrumental in all its successes since 2017. Denes Varga retired, and some other players had to take on more responsibility.
But, head coach Balazs Nyeki didn’t have a demanding task in “distributing the responsibility,” as he can count on water polo stars who are leaders of the national teams of Hungary, Serbia, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Almost every national team that belongs to the circle of medal contenders at major competitions has its player in Ferencvaros.
Dusan Mandic Photo by Laszlo Balogh
During last summer’s transfer window, Marton Vamos returned to Ferencvaros, and Krisztian Manhercz arrived, too. They joined the “army of superstars”, which includes the double winner of the Total Player Award, Dusan Mandic, the leader on the scorers’ list of the 2025 Champions League, Stylianos Argyropoulos (40 goals), Szilard Jansik, Edoardo Di Somma, Soma Vogel, Vendel Vigvari, and many others.
This group of star players functions exceptionally well as a team. The playing style introduced by Zsolt Varga—head coach from 2013 to 2023—has been preserved and perhaps even elevated by his successor and long-time assistant, Balazs Nyeki.
Even if they don’t play at a high level, Ferencvaros players win the game. And when they show their best, they can demolish the best European teams. Barceloneta experienced that in a 10:18 defeat in Budapest in February. But, on the other hand, Barceloneta showed that even Ferencvaros is vulnerable with a penalty shootout win.
The two most important games of the season lie ahead for the Ferencvaros water polo players, who are known for delivering their best performances when it matters most. If they bring their top shape to Malta, they will be tough to beat.
Facts and stats
Stylianos Argyropoulos Photo by Laszlo Balogh
Ferencvaros enters the Final 4 with a statistical profile that screams dominance on both ends of the pool. They are the most productive offense and the stingiest defense in the competition — a rare and deadly combination that makes them one of the biggest threats to the title.
With 189 goals scored, FTC is the highest-scoring team in the Champions League so far. At the same time, they’ve conceded just 98 goals, also the fewest of any team, underscoring their tactical discipline and physical presence. This balance has been the cornerstone of their unbeaten campaign.
Their team play is equally impressive — 133 assists (1st overall) reflect sharp ball movement and unselfish offensive structure. And when it comes to taking control of possessions, they’ve logged 77 steals (2nd) and 57 blocks (1st), smothering opponents both in the field and around the goal.
Leading their scoring charge is Stylianos Argyropoulos, who tops the Champions League with 40 goals — a lethal combination of power and accuracy. Edoardo Di Somma adds creativity and rhythm, sitting 4th in total assists (20) and playing a key link role in their offensive system.
Defensively, Vendel Vigvári and Marton Vamos (tied as the top blockers) and Dusan Mandic (4th in steals with 11) are part of a unit that defends aggressively and intelligently, disrupting rhythm and denying clean shots.
Though goalkeeper Soma Vogel ranks 8th in total saves (77), that number can be deceiving — FTC’s dominant field defense often limits the number of high-quality chances opponents get. His role has been more about consistency and communication than sheer volume.
In transition, FTC leads the league with 24 fast break goals, showing how quickly they can turn defense into offense. Their power play conversion is also elite, with 65 goals (3rd), and they’ve drawn 143 personal fouls (3rd), consistently putting opponents under pressure.
Fradi is a powerhouse — fast, fluid, and ferocious. With the league’s top scorer, best defense, and most assists, they don’t just win games — they control them.
Roster – Goalkeepers: Soma Vogel, Daniel Szakonyi, Field players: Dusan Mandic (SRB), Krisztian Manhercz, Adam Nagy, Marton Vamos, Edoardo Di Somma (ITA), Akos Nagy, Gergo Fekete, Stylianos Argyropoulos (GRE), Erik Molnar, Toni Nemet, Vendel Vigvari, Szilard Jansik , Zoltan Pohl, Miguel De Toro (ESP), Zsombor Vismeg, Csongor Lugosi, Vince Varga. Head coach: Balazs Nyeki.
Key players: Dusan Mandic, Stylianos Argyropoulos, Marton Vamos, Edoardo Di Somma, Szilard Jansik, Krisztian Manhercz, Soma Vogel, etc…
The last five Champions League seasons: 2024: winner; 2023: 6th place; 2022: 3rd place; 2021: runner-up; 2020 (after 9 rounds): 3rd in Group B.
Best results: winner (2019, 2024)
Trophies in other European competitions: 4x winner of the Cup Winners’ Cup (1975, 1978, 1980, 1998), 2x Euro Cup winner (2017, 2018), 5 x Super Cup winner (1978, 1980, 2018, 2019, 2024).
Road to Malta – 1st place in Group B in the Preliminary Stage (18 pts, goal difference 92:49), 1st place in Quarter Final Group B (16 pts, goal difference 97:56).
Results in other competitions this season: the Hungarian champion, the Hungarian Cup winner.
Follow the live scores and the statistics of the Champions League Final Four on Total Waterpolo Arena
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