The stage is set for thrilling water polo action as LEN officials recently conducted the draws for the qualifying rounds of the Euro Cup Men and Challenger Cup Men and Women in Netanya. This event, held just before the highly anticipated 2024 European Water Polo Championships draw in the same location, has revealed a packed schedule with over 60 teams vying for a spot in the main competitions.
Water polo enthusiasts can look forward to a series of captivating matches in the Euro Cup Men qualifiers. Group D emerges as a particularly intense pool, featuring a trio of teams – Radnicki (SRB), Oradea (ROU), and Primorje (CRO) – all descending from the Champions League qualifications, alongside fellow Croatian team Solaris. Another highlight will be the Italian derby in Group F between Savona and Palermo, which also includes Serbia’s Partizan, promising high-stakes encounters. Furthermore, CN Barcelona (ESP) and Apollon (GRE), both Champions League qualification contenders, are set to clash with the esteemed Croatian team, Mladost, in another group brimming with talent. Defending Euro Cup titleholder Vasas (HUN) will face a domestic challenge from BVSC (HUN) and Spain’s Mataro (ESP) in their group. Adding to the intrigue, Group E sees two Hungarian powerhouses, OSC and Honved, both Champions League entrants who narrowly missed advancing, drawn into the same group, setting up unmissable clashes. Group H also promises excitement with Hannover (GER) and Primorac (MNE), who recently faced disappointment in Champions League qualifying, now tasked with navigating challenges from Spain’s Terrassa and two Greek rivals.
The Challenger Cup is also shaping up to be fiercely contested. This competition is designed as a crucial development platform for federations ranked 13th and below in Europe (and 7th and below for women). It offers invaluable international experience for teams from nations that are still developing their presence in European club water polo. These tournaments are poised to showcase emerging talent and provide a pathway for growth on the European stage.
Euro Cup Men, Qualification Round (September 22-24)
Group A (Sabac): CC Ortigia (ITA), VK Sabac Elixir (SRB), CN Noisy-Le-Sec (FRA), VK Valis Vega (SRB), Dinamo Bucharest (ROU)
Group B (Budapest): A-Hid VasasPlaket (HUN), BVSC-Zuglo (HUN, host), Ludwigsburg (GER), CN Mataro (ESP)
Group C (Tourcoing): Szolnoki Dozsa-Praktiker (HUN), EN Tourcoing (FRA), Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), Pays d’Aix Natation (FRA)
Group D (Rijeka): Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB), CSM Oradea (ROU), VK Solaris (CRO), Primorje Erste Bank Rijeka (CRO)
Group E (Athens): Genesys-OSC Budapest (HUN), Panionios GSS (GRE), EPS-Honved (HUN), CN Echeyde (ESP), White Sharks Hannover (GER)
Group F (Duisburg): RN Savona (ITA), Telimar Palermo (ITA), VK Partizan Beograd (SRB), ASD Duisburg (GER), Sete Natation (FRA)
Group G (Barcelona): CN Barcelona (ESP), HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO), Apollon Smyrnis (GRE), OSC Potsdam (GER)
Group H (Kotor): Waspo 98 Hannover (GER), VK Primorac Kotor (MNE), CN Terrassa (ESP), GS Peristeriou (GRE), Panathinaikos SC (GRE)
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Euro Cup Group Stage.
Challenger Cup Men (October 19-22)
Group A (Porto): Vitoria SC (POR), AVK Triglav Kranj (SLO), Clube Fluvial Portuense (POR), SC Kreuzlingen (SUI), APOEL Nicosia (CYP)
Group B (Mouscron): Carouge Natation (SU), VK Banja Luka (BIH), ODTÜ SC (TUR), RD Mouscronnois (BEL), City of Manchester WPC (GBR)
Group C (Istanbul): Galatasaray SK (TUR), KVP Novaky (SVK), Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR), Polytechnic WP Club (GBR)
Group D (Valletta): ENKA Istanbul (TUR), EVK Zaibas (LTU), Valletta (MLT), KV Komodor (BUL), Cetus Espoo (FIN)
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Challenger Cup quarter-finals.
Challenger Cup Women (October 19-22)
Group A (Novi Sad): ZAVK Mladost (CRO), VK Jadran Split (CRO), VK Vojvodina (SRB), ODTÜ SC (TUR), City of Manchester WPC (GBR)
Group B (Strakonice): Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR), Hapoel Emek HaYarden (ISR), Izmir Büyüksehir SK (TUR), AJF Strakonice (CZE), Jarfalla (SWE)
Group C (Blagoevgrad): Sirens ASC Malta (MLT), Clube Fluvial Portuense (POR), ZVK Crvena Zvezda (SRB), Otter Swimming Club (GBR), KVT Lokomotiv-N. Nanov (BUL)
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Challenger Cup Final 6.
