The 2026/27 Men’s Euro Cup qualification round got underway this week, with 12 matches played across the opening two days. Apollon Smyrnis, Posillipo and Partizan were among the teams involved in dramatic encounters, while BVSC, Primorac Kotor and Jug Dubrovnik also made winning starts.
Five qualification tournaments are taking place across Europe, with 11 places available in the group stage. The top two teams from Groups A, C, D and E will progress, while three teams will qualify from the five-team Group B in Athens.
Apollon Fight Back to Secure Second Victory
Apollon Smyrnis have made the strongest start in Athens, collecting six points from their opening two matches.
The Greek side began their campaign on Thursday with a comfortable 16-9 victory over Germany’s ASC Duisburg. Nikola Bogdanovic scored six goals as the hosts established a commanding 9-3 half-time lead.
However, Friday’s encounter with Partizan proved considerably more challenging.
The Serbian side, who had beaten Sintez Kazan 14-13 in a thrilling opening match on Thursday, raced into a 5-1 lead against Apollon and maintained a four-goal advantage at 8-4.
Apollon responded with four unanswered goals to level the contest at 8-8, although Partizan subsequently regained control and moved 11-8 ahead.
Another four-goal run from the hosts turned the match around, with Apollon eventually securing a remarkable 15-13 victory.
Bogdanovic scored four goals, while Ioannis Laskaridis added three as the Greek club took a significant step towards qualification.
Elsewhere in Athens, Italian side Savona opened their campaign with an 11-5 victory over Duisburg, recovering from a 4-3 deficit after the opening quarter.
Thursday’s meeting between Partizan and Sintez Kazan also marked the return of a Russian club to European competition after more than four seasons away.
Posillipo Edge Dinamo in Naples Thriller
Former European champions Posillipo made a winning return to continental competition, defeating Dinamo Bucharest 13-12 in a closely contested Group D encounter.
The Italian side established a 7-4 advantage at half-time, but Dinamo gradually reduced the deficit and eventually equalised at 12-12 through experienced centre forward Cosmin Radu.
However, Posillipo responded immediately through Rocchino and held on for an important opening victory.
Balzarini led the Italian side with five goals.
In the other Group D encounter, Barcelona enjoyed a considerably more comfortable afternoon, defeating Greek side Vouliagmeni 17-12.
The Spanish club led 15-6 towards the end of the third quarter before Vouliagmeni reduced the margin in the closing stages.
Lars ten Broek van der Weijden, Goma and Daura each scored three goals for Barcelona.
BVSC and Terrassa Make Winning Starts
In Podgorica, Hungarian side BVSC opened their Euro Cup campaign with a 17-13 victory over hosts Buducnost.
A remarkable opening quarter produced 14 goals, with the teams level at 7-7 after eight minutes.
BVSC gradually took control of the encounter, moving ahead 11-9 at half-time before extending their advantage in the second half.
Balint Ekler, Erik Csacsovszky and Mor Benedek each scored four goals for the Hungarian club, while veteran Darko Brguljan contributed five for Buducnost.
Spanish side Terrassa also collected three points in Group E, defeating Croatian opponents Primorje 15-11.
Oscar Blasco scored five goals for Terrassa, who established a four-goal advantage during the third quarter and maintained control until the final whistle.
Primorac, Jug and Sabac Impress
Several clubs delivered commanding performances as the remaining qualification groups began on Friday.
Montenegrin side Primorac Kotor recorded one of the biggest victories of the day, defeating Galatasaray 18-5 in Group A.
Balsa Vuckovic, Nemanja Ubovic and Dusan Banicevic each scored four goals in an impressive attacking display.
Hosts Pays d’Aix also made a positive start, defeating Dinamo Tbilisi 14-9, with Daihi Ogihara contributing five goals.
In Serbia, Sabac produced an emphatic 20-4 victory over White Sharks Hannover. The hosts kept their German opponents scoreless for much of the opening half and were already 10-0 ahead before Hannover registered their first goal.
Filip Novakovic finished with five goals.
Croatian giants Jug Dubrovnik were equally impressive in attack, defeating Turkish side Enka 25-13.
David Tatrai scored five goals, while Marko Zuvela added four as Jug began their campaign with a convincing victory.
Qualification Places Still Up for Grabs
With the opening two days completed, Apollon are the only team to have recorded two victories, although most clubs have played just once.
Partizan and Savona are both on three points in Group B, with Sintez Kazan still to begin their second fixture.
The qualification tournaments continue over the weekend, with the successful 11 clubs advancing to join five teams already transferred from Champions League qualification: Spandau 04, Strasbourg, A-Polo Sport Management, Budva and Honved.
Men’s Euro Cup Qualification Results
Thursday, 8 October — Day 1
Group B — Athens, Greece
- Apollon Smyrnis 16-9 ASC Duisburg
- Partizan 14-13 Sintez Kazan
Friday, 9 October — Day 2
Group A — Aix-en-Provence, France
- Galatasaray 5-18 Primorac Kotor
- Pays d’Aix 14-9 Dinamo Tbilisi
Group B — Athens, Greece
- Savona 11-5 ASC Duisburg
- Apollon Smyrnis 15-13 Partizan
Group C — Sabac, Serbia
- Sabac 20-4 White Sharks Hannover
- Jug Dubrovnik 25-13 Enka
Group D — Naples, Italy
- Barcelona 17-12 Vouliagmeni
- Posillipo 13-12 Dinamo Bucharest
Group E — Podgorica, Montenegro
- Primorje 11-15 Terrassa
- BVSC 17-13 Buducnost
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