As the Euro Cup Men’s Quarter Finals kick off this week, eight teams are gearing up for intense battles in their quest for European glory. The first-leg clashes, scheduled for Thursday, promise high stakes and thrilling action, setting the stage for decisive second legs on March 20.
Quarter Finals First-Leg Fixtures
Thursday, 27th February 2025 (Local times shown)
- 19:00 AN Brescia (ITA) vs SPD Radnicki (SRB)
- 19:30 HAVK Mladost (CRO) vs PVK Jadran M:Tel Herceg Novi (MNE)
- 19:30 KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP) vs VPK Primorac Kotor (MNE)
- 20:00 Vasas Plaket (HUN) vs Pro Recco (ITA)
AN Brescia (ITA) vs SPD Radnicki (SRB)
AN Brescia’s last meeting with SPD Radnicki in the Champions League Preliminary Stage ended in a dominant 15-8 win for the Italians. However, with both squads having undergone changes, a new dynamic is expected.
Brescia, boasting a young and ambitious squad, has battled hard through the Euro Cup stages, often securing narrow victories. Coach Alessandro Bovo is pushing his team to its limits. “I’ve felt the tension building since Monday, and that’s a good sign,” he said. “We have to give everything over these next eight periods.”
Filippo Ferrero emphasized the importance of a strong home performance: “A quarter-final in front of our fans is the kind of game every player dreams of. We need to make a statement.”
Radnicki, currently third in the Regional League, recently edged Novi Beograd 16-14 and remains a formidable opponent. Coach Uros Stevanovic acknowledges Brescia’s strength but believes in his team’s ability to match their intensity. Strahinja Rašović added, “Brescia’s pressing and swimming are their biggest threats. We have to be at our best to overcome them.”
HAVK Mladost (CRO) vs PVK Jadran M:Tel Herceg Novi (MNE)
These two sides have already clashed twice this season in the Regional League, with Jadran emerging victorious on both occasions—11-9 at home in September and 13-9 in Zagreb in January.
Despite Jadran’s strong form, Mladost’s Ante Vukicevic remains optimistic. “Jadran are a great team, but we’re determined to show our best self. Playing at home, we need to focus on solid defense, aggression, and countering their strong transition game.”
Jadran arrives in Zagreb in excellent shape, having won 14 consecutive matches across all competitions. Captain Aleksandar Ivovic acknowledges his team’s edge but remains cautious: “We’ve beaten them twice, but Mladost has great national team players and an elite coach. We must be at our best to progress.”
KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP) vs VPK Primorac Kotor (MNE)
These teams faced off twice in the Champions League Group Stage, each winning a dramatic match—Primorac secured a 16-15 win in Spain, while Sabadell edged a penalty shootout victory in Kotor (16-14). Given their history, another close contest is expected.
Sabadell’s Eduardo Lorrio believes recent strong performances in the Euro Cup against Ortigia provide confidence. “Primorac is a tough opponent, but we must play as a unit, stay solid in defense, and showcase our offensive talent.”
Primorac captain Drasko Brguljan has urged his squad to maintain high intensity across both legs. “The Euro Cup is a key competition for us, and Sabadell is a strong team. The margin for error will be slim.”
Teammate Dusan Matkovic echoed his sentiments: “We’ve trained hard for this. The team that makes fewer mistakes will advance.”
Vasas Plaket (HUN) vs Pro Recco (ITA)
Pro Recco’s pursuit of its first Euro Cup title takes them to Budapest for a high-stakes first-leg encounter with defending champions Vasas Plaket. The Italian powerhouse stumbled in Hungary earlier this season (losing to BVSC in the Qualification Round) but has since been in imperious form.
Captain Francesco Di Fulvio anticipates a fierce contest: “Playing in Budapest will be tough. The crowd will be loud, but we need to stay calm and show our quality.”
For Vasas, this match presents a major test. Having lifted the Euro Cup trophy in 2023, they fell to Recco in the subsequent Super Cup Final (18-10). Coach Slobodan Nikic is under no illusions: “Recco will apply relentless pressure. A disciplined defense and clinical execution in extra-man situations will be key.”
Captain Bence Batori added, “With our fans behind us, we aim to achieve a strong result at home. We will fight until the final whistle.”
All Euro Cup Men’s Quarter Final matches will be available for live streaming at www.euroaquaticstv.com.