Zodiac CNAB Barceloneta ended FTC-Telekom’s hopes of winning a third consecutive Champions League title after prevailing 13-11 on penalties following an enthralling 9-9 draw. The Spaniards will now meet Pro Recco in the final after the Italian giants produced a record-breaking 19-13 victory over Olympiacos in the second semifinal.

Barceloneta 13-11 (9-9, penalties) FTC-Telekom

Barceloneta overcame years of semifinal disappointment by defeating defending champions FTC-Telekom in a dramatic penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Unai Aguirre emerging as the hero after producing a series of outstanding saves throughout the contest.

The Spanish side entered the match carrying a 32-game unbeaten run but also the burden of six previous semifinal eliminations since 2014, while missing injured winger Vince Vigvari. FTC, meanwhile, welcomed back Edoardo Di Somma after his recovery from appendicitis.

Barceloneta made the brighter start, taking advantage of their early man-up opportunities. Alessandro Velotto opened the scoring before Gergo Fekete equalised for the Hungarian champions. Gonzalo Echenique restored the Spanish lead, only for Di Somma to level once again.

Velotto struck his second goal in the closing seconds of the first quarter to give Barceloneta a 3-2 advantage before Unai Biel extended the lead early in the second period. Although Szilard Jansik responded for FTC, Velotto completed his hat-trick and Biel added another to hand the Spaniards a commanding 6-3 halftime lead.

FTC gradually fought their way back into the match after the interval. Dusan Mandic and Vince Vigvari helped reduce the deficit before Krisztian Manhercz converted a man-up opportunity to make it 6-6. Biel restored Barceloneta’s lead before the final quarter, but Manhercz quickly equalised again.

The Hungarians eventually took the lead for the first time through Stylianos Argyropoulos, yet Barceloneta replied immediately as Roger Tahull converted a superb assist from Biel to make it 8-8.

Fekete then put FTC 9-8 ahead with just over two minutes remaining, seemingly placing the defending champions within touching distance of another final. However, Velotto struck once more from a man-up situation with only 34 seconds left, sending the contest to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Barceloneta were flawless from the spot, converting all four of their attempts. Mandic hit the crossbar before Aguirre saved Fekete’s penalty, sealing a famous victory and ending the club’s long wait for another Champions League final appearance.

Barceloneta’s defensive discipline proved decisive, limiting FTC to just four goals from 13 man-up situations, while Aguirre’s remarkable performance between the posts laid the foundation for victory.

Pro Recco 19-13 Olympiacos

Pro Recco booked their place in the final with a devastating attacking display, defeating Olympiacos 19-13 and setting a new record for the highest number of goals scored in a Champions League semifinal.

The Italians effectively decided the contest within the opening quarter, racing into an 8-4 lead through a relentless offensive performance that left the Greek defence with no answers.

Luke Pavillard and Francesco Condemi helped establish the early advantage, while Giacomo Canella, Francesco Di Fulvio, Alvaro Granados and Max Irving all found the scoresheet as Recco converted almost every attacking opportunity.

Although Gergo Zalanki scored three times to keep Olympiacos within reach, the Italians continued their scoring spree in the second quarter. Irving added two more goals, Matteo Iocchi Gratta and Nicholas Presciutti also got on the scoresheet, and Recco entered halftime with a commanding 13-7 advantage.

Any hopes of a Greek comeback disappeared after the break. Granados converted a penalty before adding another powerful strike, while Irving completed a four-goal performance to extend the lead to 16-9 heading into the final period.

With the result already beyond doubt, the final quarter was played at a more relaxed pace, although both sides continued to find the net. Olympiacos scored four times, but Recco added three more goals to finish with 19, establishing a new Champions League semifinal scoring record.

The Italian side will now face Barceloneta in the final, while Olympiacos and FTC-Telekom will contest the third-place playoff.