XXIX Copa de S.M. La Reina Iberdrola: The show starts at Son Hugo-Palma (live TDP/E3)!
Tic-tac, tic-tac. The wait is over. Excitement, tension, tears, joy—all of it will take over the Son Hugo Pools in Palma from Friday, March 7, to Sunday, March 9. The capital of Mallorca will host the 29th edition of the Copa de S.M. La Reina Iberdrola, one of the most eagerly awaited tournaments in the annual water polo calendar. The competition promises to be wide open, with several top-level teams ready to battle for the title.
Fans can follow the entire competition on Teledeporte/RTVE Play, with the final also airing on Esport 3.
The Reigning Queens of the Copa
Astralpool CN Sabadell dominates the tournament’s history with 18 titles in 28 editions and 24 finals appearances. Behind them are CE Mediterrani with five titles, Ondarreta Alcorcón and Assolim Mataró with two each, and CN Sant Andreu, last season’s champions, with one.
Eight Teams, One Goal
The eight clubs competing for glory are:
- Astralpool CN Sabadell
- CN Sant Andreu
- Assolim CN Mataró
- CE Mediterrani
- CN Terrassa
- EPlus CN Catalunya
- Zodiac CN At. Barceloneta
Adding to the excitement, Queen Letizia will personally present the trophy to the winners on Sunday at 13:00.
Match Schedule & TV Broadcasts
Friday, March 7 – Quarterfinals
- 14:30 – Teledeporte
- 16:00 – Teledeporte
- 17:30 – Teledeporte
- 19:00 – RTVE Play
Saturday, March 8 – Semifinals
- 13:30 – RTVE Play
- 15:00 – Teledeporte
Sunday, March 9 – Final
- 13:00 – RTVE Play / Esport 3
Quarterfinals Analysis
1) CN Sant Andreu vs. Assolim CN Mataró
A thrilling opening match will see the defending league champions, Assolim CN Mataró, take on the defending Copa de la Reina champions, CN Sant Andreu at 14:30 (live on Teledeporte).
This match brings added intrigue, as coaches Javi Aznar and Dani Ballart—formerly head coach and assistant coach of Sant Andreu—now lead two of Spain’s top teams.
The teams already met this season in the Iberdrola Supercup, where Sant Andreu triumphed 10-5. Last year, they didn’t face each other in the Copa, as Mataró fell in the semifinals to Astralpool Sabadell, while Sant Andreu staged an epic comeback in the final, defeating Sabadell 13-12 with a 5-1 final quarter run.
A Champions League Clash Awaits
Fate has also paired these teams in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals, with the first leg on March 22 in Sant Andreu and the second leg on March 29 in Mataró.
In the Iberdrola League, their only encounter this season ended in a narrow 10-9 victory for Sant Andreu.
2) CN Sant Feliu vs. Zodiac CN At. Barceloneta
At 16:00 (live on Teledeporte), two underdogs—CN Sant Feliu and Zodiac CN At. Barceloneta—will battle for a historic semifinal spot.
Barceloneta, coached by Chus Martín, is having a standout season in Liga Iberdrola, sitting sixth with 26 points (9 wins, 8 losses). Sant Feliu is eighth with 18 points (6 wins, 10 losses, with one game in hand).
Last year, Zodiac CNAB made its Copa debut, putting up a strong fight before falling 8-5 to eventual champions Sant Andreu. Sant Feliu last played in 2022, suffering a heavy 22-4 defeat to Astralpool Sabadell.
Their only league meeting this season saw Zodiac CNAB win 16-11 at home.
3) Astralpool CN Sabadell vs. CN Terrassa
At 17:30 (live on Teledeporte/RTVE Play), a major Catalan derby will see Astralpool CN Sabadell—the most decorated team in tournament history—take on CN Terrassa, a club still chasing its first title.
Sabadell, with 18 Copa titles and 24 final appearances, is eager to reclaim the trophy after losing last year’s final to Sant Andreu (9-8 after a late 5-1 comeback run).
The teams already clashed in the Champions League group stage, with Sabadell winning both games:
- 4-13 in Terrassa
- 10-7 at home
In their only Iberdrola League encounter this season, Sabadell won comfortably 14-7.
4) EPlus CN Catalunya vs. CE Mediterrani
The final quarterfinal, a Barcelona derby, kicks off at 19:30 (live on RTVE Play), with CE Mediterrani taking on EPlus CN Catalunya.
Mediterrani is a regular title contender, currently fifth in Liga Iberdrola with 33 points (11 wins, 6 losses). They’re just one point behind fourth-place Mataró, fighting for a playoff spot.
Catalunya, meanwhile, is seventh with 19 points (6 wins, 11 losses).
Last season, Catalunya fell in the quarterfinals to Assolim CN Mataró (6-18), while Mediterrani lost to Sabadell (15-12) in a hard-fought battle.
Their only league meeting this season was a tight 10-9 win for Mediterrani at home.
A Weekend of High-Stakes Water Polo
The 29th Copa de la Reina Iberdrola promises thrilling action, fierce rivalries, and a royal touch, with Queen Letizia set to crown the champions.
Stay tuned and don’t miss a moment of the action!
RFEN Communication
