CN Sant Andreu is already here, in the club of Spanish women's water polo champions. The leadership in the Honor Division League and its presence in the final four of the Champions League (it was third) were an obvious clue of what has ended up coming: the first title in its history, the Copa de la Reina.
They achieved it this Sunday in their particular Maracanazo at the Can Llong pool by beating the local and current champions, Astralpool CN Sabadell, by 13-12, in a heart-stopping final.
CN Sant Andreu's first title came with an epic comeback, as the Barcelona team lost 6-10 in the third quarter and opened the final round three goals down (8-11). In the last eight minutes, the reaction of Javi Aznar's players was brutal: a 5-1 to achieve victory with a goal from Elena Ruiz with 58 seconds left.
The final was a give and take between two of the best teams in Europe, the current continental and Cup champion, Sabadell, and a cheeky and daring Sant Andreu, without complexes to play face to face with the Vallesan giant in its pool .
The first quarter (1-1) was a defensive recital and a goalkeeping duel between the two international goals, Laura Ester and Martina Terré. Almost 7 minutes without goals, which Judith Forca put an end to with her left foot (0-1) with 1m19s left in the quarter, Gisel·la Farré, former Sabadell player, tied the duel.
In the second quarter Sabadell took the initiative again with two goals, from Irene González and Maica García from the buoy (1-3), while Paula Crespí closed the gap for Sant Andreu (2-3). Sabadell once again distanced themselves with two consecutive goals from Forca (2-5), but Sant Andreu responded with two more goals, from Paula Crespí and Elena Ruiz (4-5). Before the half-time horn, Bea Ortiz with a Vaseline brought the score to 4-6 at intermission.
In the third quarter, CN Sabadell seemed to seal the duel by taking three goals (4-7) and up to four, 6-10, both from Irene González. There were 4m10s left until the end of the task and Sant Andreu was very affected... but it did not sink.
The Barcelona team clung to the left arm of Ari Ruiz, who with 2 consecutive goals got his team back into the game (8-10).
With three goals down (8-11), Sant Andreu burned its last ships in the final 8 minutes of the fourth set. His reaction was furious: Ari Ruiz made it 9-11, his sister Elena made it 10-11 and Marina Cordobés, after a great save by Martina Terré, brought the score to a tie (11-11).
The final was at its hottest moment. Judith Forca scored her fifth goal, 11-12, and her team missed a superiority that could have sealed the title. In the next play Sant Andreu scored and with 58 seconds left Elena Ruiz scored 13-12 which gave her her first title.
Astralpool CN Sabadell, absolute dominator of domestic competitions, has missed its third Cup in the last 17 editions. Since 2008 they had only failed twice, both against Mataró, in 2016 and in 2022. Now Sant Andreu joins the rivals that are eroding the Vallesan hegemony.
CN Sant Andreu: Martina Terré; Queralt Anton (-), Maria Schujit (-), Ariadna Ruiz (3), Gisella Farré (2), Nona Pérez (-), Marina Cordobés (2), Alba Muñoz (-), Paula Crespí (2), Elena Ruiz (4), Maria Palacio (-), Bogachenko (-).
Astralpool CN Sabadell: Laura Ester; Matilde Ortiz (-), Paula Leiton (-), Van der Sloot (-), Sofia Gustini (1), Judith Forca (5), Bea Ortiz (1), Keuning (1), Irene Casado (-), Maica Garcia (1), Ona Jurado (-) and Irene González (3).
Referees: Joan Carles Colominas and Josep Maria Castella. Eliminated: Marina Cordobés and Paula Crespí for CN Sant Andreu. Van Der Sloot for Astralpool CN Sabadell.
Partials: 1-1, 3-5, 4-5, 5-1.
Swimming pool: Can Llong de Sabadell.
