The away teams took center stage in the third round of the LEN Champions League, delivering a series of statement performances across Europe. Jadran Herceg Novi claimed a monumental win over Novi Beograd in Belgrade, Mladost outlasted Vasas in a tense battle in Budapest, while Brescia and Pro Recco both earned convincing victories on the road.

Group A

Vasas – Mladost 10:13 (2:3, 1:2, 3:3, 4:5)

Vasas: Foskolos 2, Gyarfas 2, Dala 2, Gabor 1, Selley-Rauscher 1, Djurdjic 1, Lakaros 1.
Mladost: Kharkov 3, Vrlić 2, Bašić 1, Toničić 1, Buljubašić 1, Bukić 1, Lazić 1, Nagaev 1, Vukićević 1, Lončar 1.

Mladost picked up three crucial points in Budapest after a fiercely contested 13:10 victory over Vasas. The Croatian side, whose defensive struggles were evident in recent weeks, finally found their composure at the back for most of the match—though a late Vasas rally nearly turned the tide.

After a low-scoring first quarter, Mladost led 3:2 and built a 7:3 advantage midway through the third period. But Vasas, determined to prove their worth at this level, struck back with a flurry of goals to make it 10:10 with just over three minutes left.

In the decisive moments, Mladost’s Franko Lazić converted a man-up to restore the lead before Bašić and Bukić secured the win. Goalkeeper Ivan Marcelić’s late saves were vital, ensuring Mladost’s second win of the campaign.

Standings (Group A):

1. Olympiacos – 6 pts (2 games)
2. Mladost – 6 pts (3)
3. Radnički – 3 pts (2)
4. Vasas – 0 pts (3)

Group B

Novi Beograd – Jadran Herceg Novi 11:12 (4:2, 0:3, 4:4, 3:3)

Novi Beograd: Ćuk 3, Martinović 3, Janković 1, Urošević 1, Lukić 1, Milojević 1, Glušac 1.
Jadran HN: V. Radović 3, Gojković 3, Lazić 2, Vujović 2, Kholod 1, Sladović 1.

Jadran Herceg Novi stunned Novi Beograd for the second time in under three weeks—this time in the Champions League, 12:11 in Belgrade. The Montenegrin champions showed remarkable tactical discipline, particularly in defense, keeping the hosts scoreless for over 11 minutes during a key second-quarter surge.

Despite missing their first-choice goalkeeper Lazar Andrić, Jadran held firm. Novi Beograd’s inefficiency on man-up situations (0/6 in the first half) proved costly. Jadran capitalized with a 4:0 run to lead 5:4 at halftime.

Vasilije Radović’s long-range strike made it 6:4, and though Novi Beograd clawed back to 9:9 through Miloš Ćuk, Jadran responded emphatically with three straight goals to pull ahead 12:9. The hosts’ late penalty conversion came too late to alter the result.

Standings (Group B):

1. Pro Recco – 9 pts
2. Jadran HN – 6 pts
3. Novi Beograd – 3 pts
4. Jadran Split – 0 pts

Pro Recco – Jadran Split 15:9 (6:2, 4:2, 3:1, 2:4)

Pro Recco: Cassia 4, Cannella 2, Iocchi Gratta 2, Di Fulvio 1, Granados 1, Fondelli 1, Presciutti 1, Pavillard 1, Burić 1, Irving 1.
Jadran Split: Butić 3, Matković 2, Berehulak 2, Nemet 1, Fatović 1.

Pro Recco continued their dominant run, overpowering Jadran Split 15:9 at home. The reigning champions controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, racing to a 6:2 lead after the first period and never allowing their Croatian visitors back into the game.

With nine different scorers, Recco’s depth and precision were on full display. Matteo Iocchi Gratta and Giacomo Cannella were particularly efficient, helping maintain a comfortable cushion throughout.

Group C

Oradea – Brescia 11:16 (3:6, 1:4, 2:4, 5:2)

Oradea: Gardašević 6, Oltean 2, Belenyesi 1, Ilsie 1, Gusarov 1.
Brescia: Ferrero 3, Popadić 2, Dolce 2, Gianazza 2, Alesiani 2, Balzarini 2, Višković 1, Del Basso 1, Guerrato 1.

Brescia’s strong team effort brought them a decisive 16:11 win over Oradea, putting the Italians on the verge of the quarter-finals. The visitors dominated from the outset, leading 10:4 at halftime and extending the gap to 15:6 before easing off late in the fourth quarter.

Filip Gardašević was a standout for Oradea with six goals, but Brescia’s balanced attack—with nine different scorers—and goalkeeper Tommaso Baggi Necchi’s 12 saves underlined their superiority.

Standings (Group C):

1. Ferencváros – 6 pts (2 games)
2. Brescia – 6 pts (3)
3. Oradea – 3 pts (3)
4. Primorac – 0 pts (3)

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