European Aquatics has completed the draws for the first-ever Men’s Conference Cup and confirmed the groups for the opening round of the Men’s Challenger Cup. The ceremonies took place in Zagreb, with both competitions set to bring fresh opportunities to clubs across the continent.
Men’s Conference Cup – Qualification Round 1
Dates: 7–9 November
Nineteen teams will contest the opening stage of the new Conference Cup, split into five groups. Among them are three former European champions.
Group A in Utrecht promises fireworks as hosts UZSC welcome two giants of the past — Honvéd Budapest (Champions League winners in 2004) and CN Posillipo (three-time champions from Naples).
Seven-time European champions Partizan Belgrade headline Group D, hosting Lithuania’s EVK Zaibas, Italian side De Akker Bologna, and Germany’s Neukölln Berlin.
Two Croatian clubs — Mornar Split and Primorje Rijeka — will host Groups C and E, while Athens’ Panionios organizes Group B.
The top two teams from each group progress to Qualification Round 2, where they will be joined by teams eliminated from the Euro Cup qualifiers (excluding those who entered Champions League qualifications).
Groups:
- Group A: Honvéd (HUN), UZSC (NED)*, PAOK (GRE), Posillipo (ITA)
- Group B: Panionios (GRE)*, Tenerife (ESP), Budva (MNE), White Sharks Hannover (GER)
- Group C: Vitória Sport Clube (POR), Banja Luka (BIH), Sète Natation (FRA), Mornar Split (CRO)*
- Group D: EVK Zaibas (LTU), Partizan (SRB)*, De Akker (ITA), Neukölln Berlin (GER)
- Group E: Primorje EB (CRO)*, Galatasaray (TUR), Mataró (ESP)
Men’s Challenger Cup – Qualification Round 1
Dates: 28–30 November
The Challenger Cup groups have been determined based on geography and European Aquatics rankings rather than a draw. Four clubs will act as hosts — Sliema ASC (Malta), AVK Branik Maribor (Slovenia), Enka Sport (Türkiye), and Royal Dauphins Mouscronnois (Belgium).
Once again, the top two teams from each group will move into Round 2.
Groups:
- Group A: Sliema ASC (MLT)*, APOEL Nicosia (CYP), Hapoel Palram Zvulun (ISR), San Giljan (MLT)
- Group B: AVK Branik Maribor (SVN)*, Carouge Natation (BEL), Ljubljana Slovan (SVN), Clube Naval Povoense (POR)
- Group C: Enka Sport (TUR)*, Welsh Wanderers (GBR), Heybeliada (TUR)
- Group D: Royal Dauphins Mouscronnois (BEL)*, Cetus Espoo (FIN), West London Penguin (GBR)
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