The first major trophy of the new European club season will be decided on Wednesday evening as Champions League holders Barceloneta face Euro Cup winners Marseille in the European Aquatics Men’s Super Cup.
The two sides meet at 19:30 CET in Barcelona, renewing a rivalry that has become increasingly familiar over recent seasons.
Barceloneta and Marseille have met nine times in European competition, with the Spanish champions holding a 7-2 advantage in the head-to-head record.
Their two meetings last season were both decided by a single goal. Marseille produced one of their best performances of the campaign to win 12-11 in Barcelona during the Champions League group stage, before Barceloneta responded with a 12-11 victory in France.
That defeat in Barcelona would ultimately prove to be Barceloneta’s only loss of the entire season.
The paths of the two teams then went in very different directions. Barceloneta went on to complete a historic Champions League campaign, while Marseille were eliminated from the competition at the end of the first phase.
The French side responded by dropping into the Euro Cup and going all the way to the title, earning their place alongside Barceloneta in Wednesday’s Super Cup.
Familiar opponents, new additions
Neither squad has undergone major changes since the teams last met, although Barceloneta have added one of the biggest names in European water polo.
Italy international Francesco Di Fulvio arrived from Pro Recco during the summer, adding another elite attacking option to the European champions.
Gergo Burian, who scored the decisive goal in Barceloneta’s Champions League final victory over Recco, has meanwhile moved to Jug Dubrovnik.
Marseille have reshaped their centre-forward options following the retirement of Michael Bodegas and Vladan Spaic’s move to Vouliagmeni.
Montenegro talent Vasilje Radovic has joined the French champions, while former Barceloneta goalkeeper Nic Porter adds experience behind first-choice keeper Petar Tesanovic.
The build-up has not been completely straightforward for Marseille.
Their flight to Barcelona was cancelled on Tuesday following severe weather in Catalonia, forcing the team to make the journey by minibus and complete a six-hour drive to the Spanish city.
Super Cup history
Both clubs have previously appeared in one Super Cup final.
Barceloneta lifted the trophy in 2014 after winning the Champions League, with Gonzalo Echenique part of the squad that completed the European double.
Marseille are still looking for their first Super Cup title. They came close in 2019, but surrendered a four-goal advantage against FTC before losing the final.
Wednesday’s match therefore gives Barceloneta the opportunity to lift the trophy for a second time, while Marseille will be aiming to win it for the first time in club history.
Marseille confident after last year’s win
Marseille coach Milos Scepanovic believes his side can again cause problems for the European champions.
“It’s a trophy game, so we prepare accordingly,” Scepanovic said. “We don’t feel any pressure, we came to play a good game here.
“Of course, we remember our Champions League game last October when we could win here. It turned out later that was CNAB’s only defeat in the entire season.
“We have great respect towards Barceloneta, they have a great team, but if we play according to what we agreed, we can have another great and close match in the Super Cup final.”
Thomas Vernoux was also part of the Marseille side that stunned Barceloneta in their own pool last season.
“That game in October is still in our minds, as we came here and played one of the best games of last season,” Vernoux said.
“If we’re able to play with the same energy once more, it’ll be a really good game.”
Barceloneta are expecting another difficult contest.
Alberto Munarriz pointed to last season’s two one-goal meetings as evidence of how little separates the teams.
“It’s going to be a really tough game,” he said. “We know each other really well.
“It’s a difficult challenge, but we need to approach the game with good energy and if we can control the pace of the game, we’ll have a good chance to lift the trophy.”
Hungary international Vince Vigvari added that the Super Cup has been a major focus throughout Barceloneta’s preparations.
“We are extremely excited and we can’t wait for this match,” Vigvari said.
“Ever since we started our preparations, we have this game in our minds. Of course, we’re aware they beat us almost exactly a year ago here in our pool.
“We expect a similarly close match on Wednesday.”
European Aquatics Men’s Super Cup
Barceloneta vs Marseille
Barcelona, Spain
Wednesday, September 30
19:30 CET
Recent meetings
2025/26: Barceloneta 11-12 Marseille; Marseille 11-12 Barceloneta
2024/25: Marseille 14-19 Barceloneta; Barceloneta 12-9 Marseille; Barceloneta 19-9 Marseille
2023/24: Barceloneta 13-12 Marseille; Marseille 7-9 Barceloneta
2012/13: Barceloneta 15-4 Marseille; Marseille 11-10 Barceloneta
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