Euro Cup Women: Polar Bears aiming to secure last quarter-final ticket on final day of Group Stage
With seven of the eight Euro Cup Women quarter-final berths already secured, only one place remains up for grabs on the final day of the Group Stage – in Group A, where Polar Bears are overwhelming favourites to progress as they host Lille UC, having won 12-24 away on Day 3.
2025/26 Euro Cup Women
Group Stage, Day 6
Saturday 28 February
(Local times shown)
Group A
18:30: Polar Bears (NED) v Lille UC (FRA)
Group B
16:00: ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
Group C
13:00: Grand Nancy AC (FRA) v Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA)
Group D
14:00: III. Keruleti TVE (HUN) v EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP)
Group A
18:30: Polar Bears (NED) v Lille UC (FRA)
After losing a close battle with Ethnikos 13-12 at home in the previous round of games, Polar Bears have another chance to secure qualification on the final day against Lille UC.
The Dutch side will start as overwhelming favourites, as their opponents are yet to win a single point in the group stage and were well beaten in the reverse fixture, 24-12, on Day 3.
Lille would have to win by at least 12 goals to begin to trouble Polar Bears’ place in the next phase – a huge turnaround, especially given they have lost all three of their group matches so far by 11 goals or more.
The French side have also lost their last nine games in Europe, dating back to October 2024, so the odds are firmly stacked against them.
Group B
16:00: ANC Glyfada iRepair (GRE) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
First place in Group B is on the line in this fixture, with ANC Glyfada iRepair needing to better the 13-11 win BVSC Manna ABC recorded at home in the reverse fixture on Day 3.
The Greeks have won each of their last six home games in all competitions by four goals or more, so they will start this clash confident of securing the result required to overtake BVSC at the top of the table.
“So far, the games have gone well for us in the Euro Cup aside from that one loss against BVSC in Budapest,” said Glyfada’s Brooke Ochoa.
“As we had time off from games in January for the European Championships, we have really put in a lot of work. I feel we have started playing really well together and with another level of focus.”
Group C
13:00: Grand Nancy AC (FRA) v Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA)
Antenore Plebiscito Padova have the opportunity to draw level with Zodiac CNAB at the top of the group if they can beat Grand Nancy AC on Saturday.
The hosts face a huge uphill battle, as they haven’t won in Europe since 2012 and are currently on a 34-game losing streak in continental competition.
That long run of defeats also includes their Day 3 meeting with the Italians, who thrashed them 20-7.
“For a young group like ours, every extra game becomes important for the growth path we want to take,” said Padova coach Stefano Posterivo. “We have already qualified for the quarter-finals, but we still want to approach this game with determination and the right mentality.”
Group D
14:00: III. Keruleti TVE (HUN) v EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP)
“We are travelling to Budapest with the aim of securing three points and finishing top of the group,” said EPlus CN Catalunya coach Javi Belmonte. “However, we are going there with a lot of respect, as games in Hungary are always special and very difficult.”
“We are heading into this clash with great enthusiasm,” added Catalunya’s Belen Vosseberg. “We know we have to win to finish first in our group ahead of the quarter-finals.
“We played well at home against Kerulet [a 21-12 win on Day 3], but we know it will be very different when we play in Budapest. So we’re going all out. We want to play well defensively and we’re ready to show our best game.”
“Our goal is to avoid repeating the mistakes from our last game against Catalunya,” said Kerulet coach Denes Lukacs. “We have a young team, and the most important thing is that they play with confidence and freedom.”
“We are really looking forward to this weekend’s match,” added Kerulet’s Eniko Rajna, who scored five against the Spaniards on Day 3. “Our team has changed significantly, and with this young squad we want to make the most of every opportunity we have to play in Europe.
“We know Catalunya are a strong and fast team, and our goal is to limit them to as few goals as possible and impose our own style of play in attack.”
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