The 2024/25 Men’s Euro Cup reaches its climax this Saturday, with the second leg of the final set to be played in Sori, Italy. Reigning Italian champions Pro Recco will host Serbia’s KVK Radnički at 19:00 CET in the indoor pool of Sori, rather than their traditional open-air venue in Recco.
Pro Recco in Control, but Radnički Isn’t Done Yet
Pro Recco holds a commanding four-goal advantage after a 16–12 win in the first leg in Kragujevac. Despite trailing 3–6 in the second quarter, the 11-time Champions League winners mounted a powerful comeback, and many observers believe the title is already all but decided.
But Radnički isn’t arriving in Italy to surrender. The newly crowned Serbian champions are no strangers to adversity—and they’ve shocked Recco before. In fact, they are one of only five teams to beat Recco at home in European competition over the last two decades, doing so in 2013 during the Champions League qualifiers (12–10).
Fortress Recco: A Record That Speaks Volumes
Pro Recco’s dominance at home is unmatched. In the past 20 years, the Italian giants have suffered just five European defeats at home. The last came in 2023 against Barceloneta (9–8) during the Champions League group stage. Prior to that, their only other losses came at the hands of OSC Budapest, Primorje, Brescia—and Radnički.
With a 4-goal cushion, home advantage, and the return of star attacker Francesco Di Fulvio (suspended for the domestic final), Recco will be heavily favoured to lift the only major European trophy missing from their cabinet.
Team News and Form Guide
- Pro Recco enters the match fresh from winning the Serie A1 title on Tuesday with a 9–5 victory over Brescia—despite missing Di Fulvio.
- Radnički, meanwhile, wrapped up a dramatic Serbian League final series on Wednesday, beating Novi Beograd 14–13 in Game 3. Fatigue could be a major factor for the visitors, who had little time to recover before traveling to Liguria.
Star Power on Both Sides
The pool will be stacked with world-class talent. Pro Recco boasts the likes of Di Fulvio, Cannella, Echenique, Younger, Hallock, and Del Lungo—with the latter three playing their final game for the club. Radnički counters with veteran Duško Pijetlović, five Olympic champions, and rising stars like Valiko Dadvani, who can swing the momentum with moments of brilliance.
Final Thoughts
History, form, and logic point toward a historic first Euro Cup title for Pro Recco. But if Radnički can tap into their resilience and find early momentum, they may just make a game of it.
Second Leg – LEN Euro Cup Final
📍 Sori, Italy
🗓️ Saturday, May 25
🕖 19:00 CET
🏆 Aggregate: Pro Recco 16–12 Radnički
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