The anticipation is building for the Euro Cup 2023 as the qualification rounds draw has been completed, revealing a series of high-stakes matchups. Held in Netanya, Israel, alongside the draw for the 2024 European Water Polo Championships, the Euro Cup and Challenger Cup draws have set the stage for an exciting season of European club water polo. Over 60 teams are involved across both competitions, promising a dynamic and competitive landscape.
Euro Cup 2023: Qualification Round Highlights
Water polo enthusiasts can look forward to several standout clashes in the Euro Cup 2023 qualification stage. Group D is poised to be a battleground, featuring Radnicki (SRB), Oradea (ROU), and Primorje (CRO), all of whom have emerged from the Champions League qualifications, vying for two coveted qualifying spots, alongside fellow Croatian team Solaris.
Italian water polo will be represented strongly in Group F with a compelling duel between Savona and Palermo, joined by Serbia’s Partizan, promising intense and unmissable action. Group G will see CN Barcelona (ESP) and Apollon Smyrnis (GRE), both with Champions League qualification experience, facing off against the celebrated Croatian team, Mladost Zagreb.
Defending Euro Cup champions Vasas (HUN) are set to face a domestic challenge from BVSC (HUN) and Spain’s Mataro in Group B. Another Hungarian showdown is on the cards in Group E, as Champions League qualifying round participants OSC Budapest and Honved were drawn together, setting up a fierce contest. Group H also promises excitement with Hannover (GER) and Primorac Kotor (MNE), both narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, now facing Spanish team Terrassa and two Greek rivals in a tightly contested group.
Euro Cup Men Qualification Groups (September 22-24)
The Euro Cup Men qualification round will be played from September 22nd to 24th across various host cities. Here’s a detailed look at each group:
Group A (Sabac, Serbia):
- CC Ortigia (ITA)
- VK Sabac Elixir (SRB, host)
- CN Noisy-Le-Sec (FRA)
- VK Valis Vega (SRB)
- Dinamo Bucharest (ROU)
Group B (Budapest, Hungary):
- A-Hid VasasPlaket (HUN)
- BVSC-Zuglo (HUN, host)
- Ludwigsburg (GER)
- CN Mataro (ESP)
Group C (Tourcoing, France):
- Szolnoki Dozsa-Praktiker (HUN)
- EN Tourcoing (FRA, host)
- Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA)
- Pays d’Aix Natation (FRA)
Group D (Rijeka, Croatia):
- Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB)
- CSM Oradea (ROU)
- VK Solaris (CRO)
- Primorje Erste Bank Rijeka (CRO, host)
Group E (Athens, Greece):
- Genesys-OSC Budapest (HUN)
- Panionios GSS (GRE, host)
- EPS-Honved (HUN)
- CN Echeyde (ESP)
- White Sharks Hannover (GER)
Group F (Duisburg, Germany):
- RN Savona (ITA)
- Telimar Palermo (ITA)
- VK Partizan Beograd (SRB)
- ASD Duisburg (GER, host)
- Sete Natation (FRA)
Group G (Barcelona, Spain):
- CN Barcelona (ESP, host)
- HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO)
- Apollon Smyrnis (GRE)
- OSC Potsdam (GER)
Group H (Kotor, Montenegro):
- Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)
- VK Primorac Kotor (MNE, host)
- 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: Developing European Water Polo Talent
The Challenger Cup serves as a vital platform for the development of water polo within nations ranked 13th and below in the LEN rankings (and 7th and below for women’s teams). This competition offers invaluable experience for teams from countries that are still growing their presence in European club water polo.
Challenger Cup Men Qualification Groups (October 19-22)
The Challenger Cup Men’s qualification round is scheduled for October 19th to 22nd. The groups are as follows:
Group A (Porto, Portugal):
- Vitoria SC (POR, host)
- AVK Triglav Kranj (SLO)
- Clube Fluvial Portuense (POR)
- SC Kreuzlingen (SUI)
- APOEL Nicosia (CYP)
Group B (Mouscron, Belgium):
- Carouge Natation (SUI)
- VK Banja Luka (BIH)
- ODTÜ SC (TUR)
- RD Mouscronnois (BEL, host)
- City of Manchester WPC (GBR)
Group C (Istanbul, Turkey):
- Galatasaray SK (TUR, host)
- KVP Novaky (SVK)
- Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
- Polytechnic WP Club (GBR)
Group D (Valletta, Malta):
- ENKA Istanbul (TUR)
- EVK Zaibas (LTU)
- Valletta (MLT, host)
- KV Komodor (BUL)
- Cetus Espoo (FIN)
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Challenger Cup quarter-finals.
Challenger Cup Women Qualification Groups (October 19-22)
The Challenger Cup Women’s tournament will also take place from October 19th to 22nd. The groups are:
Group A (Novi Sad, Serbia):
- ZAVK Mladost (CRO)
- VK Jadran Split (CRO)
- VK Vojvodina (SRB, host)
- ODTÜ SC (TUR)
- City of Manchester WPC (GBR)
Group B (Strakonice, Czech Republic):
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR)
- Hapoel Emek HaYarden (ISR)
- Izmir Büyüksehir SK (TUR)
- AJF Strakonice (CZE, host)
- Jarfalla (SWE)
Group C (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria):
- Sirens ASC Malta (MLT)
- Clube Fluvial Portuense (POR)
- ZVK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
- Otter Swimming Club (GBR)
- KVT Lokomotiv-N. Nanov (BUL, host)
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Challenger Cup Final 6.
The Euro Cup 2023 and Challenger Cup qualification draws have laid the foundation for a thrilling season of European water polo. With a blend of established powerhouses and emerging teams, both competitions promise to deliver captivating matches and showcase the depth of talent across the continent. Water polo fans should mark their calendars for the qualification rounds and prepare for an action-packed journey through the Euro Cup 2023 season.
