The final international club action of 2025 arrives this week with the fifth rounds of the Champions League and Euro Cup Group Stages. These are the last European fixtures before the continent shifts its attention to the 2026 European Championships in Belgrade. Both competitions will resume in February.
Two teams have already secured their place in the Champions League Quarter-Finals: Ferencváros and Pro Recco, who extended their winning streaks in Round 4. Vasas and Primorac have been mathematically eliminated. The remaining twelve clubs, however, are still chasing the final six spots, with many holding realistic chances. That sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the group stage.
Among the week’s standout fixtures are the Group A clash between Radnički and Mladost, and the Group D battle between Marseille and Barceloneta. Groups B and C also resume action, though major surprises would be needed to alter the main qualification picture.
2025/26 Champions League – Round 5 Preview
Group A
Wednesday, December 3: Radnički – Mladost at 20:30, Olympiacos – Vasas at 20:30
Radnički enter Round 5 under pressure after consecutive defeats to Mladost and Olympiacos. Their preparations were further complicated by a narrow loss to Novi Beograd in the Serbian Cup semifinals. They cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Mladost arrive in excellent form. The Zagreb side has lost only once this season, away to Olympiacos, and lifted the Croatian Cup on Saturday—its first trophy in more than four years. Confidence is high heading into Kragujevac.
Radnički will finally be at full strength, with Serbian captain Nikola Jakšić returning from injury. Their frustrating semifinal performance at the weekend showed vulnerabilities, but also areas they can correct quickly. With home support behind them, Radnički know a win is essential to stay alive in the Top 8 race.
Olympiacos missed their first chance to qualify by losing to Mladost, but now have a clear opportunity against Vasas, who remain bottom without a point. Olympiacos beat them by ten goals in Budapest and are strong favourites again, even if Vasas approach the match with pride and nothing to lose.
Standings: 1. Olympiacos 9, 2. Mladost 9, 3. Radnički 6, 4. Vasas 0.
Group B
Tuesday, December 2: Novi Beograd – Jadran Split at 20:30
Wednesday, December 3: Jadran Herceg Novi – Pro Recco at 20:30
The national cup finalists of Serbia and Croatia meet again, this time in Belgrade. Novi Beograd halted a poor run of form by beating Radnički and Šabac to lift the Serbian Cup, while Jadran Split were overpowered by Mladost in the Croatian Cup final.
Despite the derby feel, this match may not prove decisive. Assuming Pro Recco finish the group with a perfect record, the critical match for qualification will be in Round 6: Jadran Herceg Novi vs Novi Beograd. Even a win over Jadran Split will not help Novi Beograd unless they follow it up with three points in Trebinje next week.
Jadran Split, meanwhile, must overcome a three-goal deficit from the reverse fixture and then hope for several favourable results elsewhere.
Pro Recco remain in complete control of the group. They would lose top spot only if they were to drop all remaining points and lose to Jadran Herceg Novi by ten goals or more, which is highly improbable. Still, one unexpected result could reshape the group dynamics.
Standings: 1. Pro Recco 12, 2. Jadran Herceg Novi 6, 3. Novi Beograd 3, 4. Jadran Split 3.
Group C
Tuesday, December 2: Primorac – Oradea at 18:30, Ferencváros – Brescia at 20:30
Group C remains the most straightforward storyline of the competition. Ferencváros do not need to beat Brescia to secure first place. They simply must avoid a defeat of four goals or more. Given their steady improvement and strong home form, it is difficult to imagine them dropping points.
Brescia have been impressive but would need to produce something extraordinary in Budapest to keep the group open.
Primorac welcome Oradea hoping to erase the memory of their seven-goal loss in Romania. Oradea still hold a very slim chance of reaching the Top 8: they must beat Primorac, hope Ferencváros beat Brescia, and then defeat Brescia in Italy by at least six goals. It is unlikely, and the current standings may very well remain identical entering Round 6.
Standings: 1. Ferencváros 12, 2. Brescia 9, 3. Oradea 3, 4. Primorac 0.
Group D
Tuesday, December 2: Marseille – Barceloneta at 20:30
Wednesday, December 3: Sabadell – Waspo Hannover at 18:30
Group D has become the most unpredictable of the competition. Hannover’s back-to-back home wins over Marseille and Sabadell, and Sabadell’s surprise victory in Marseille, have reopened the race completely. All four teams can still reach the Top 8.
Barceloneta remain well positioned. Even if they lose to Marseille, they will host Hannover in Round 6—a team they beat 27:11 only three weeks ago.
Sabadell enter the week with renewed belief after defeating Barceloneta in the Spanish League at the weekend. They play both remaining matches at home, and if they take six points—including at least a three-goal win over Hannover—they will secure second place regardless of other results.
Marseille, excellent early in the season, now find themselves on the brink after damaging defeats. They face both Spanish sides in the final two rounds. A positive result against Barceloneta would revive their campaign and signal a turnaround after their recent slump.
Standings: 1. Barceloneta 9, 2. Marseille 6, 3. Waspo Hannover 6, 4. Sabadell 3.
2025/26 Euro Cup – Group Stage, Round 5
Group A
Jug – ASC Duisburg at 19:00
Solaris – Terrassa at 20:30
Standings: Jug 12, Terrassa 6, Solaris 3, ASC Duisburg 3.
Group B
Trieste – Szolnok at 20:00
Dinamo Bucharest – Barcelona at 19:30 CET
Standings: Barcelona 9, Szolnok 9, Trieste 6, Dinamo 0.
Group C
Vouliagmeni – Budućnost at 15:00 CET
Panathinaikos – BVSC at 20:30 CET
Standings: BVSC 9, Vouliagmeni 8, Panathinaikos 7, Budućnost 0.
Group D
Spandau – Steaua at 19:00
Šabac – Savona at 20:00
Standings: Savona 12, Šabac 9, Spandau 3, Steaua 0.
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