The road to Euro Cup glory reaches its decisive stage this weekend as the four remaining teams contest the first legs of the men’s semifinals.
Former champions SPD Radnicki and CN Marseille meet in a heavyweight showdown in Serbia, while Croatia’s VK Jadran Split host Hungary’s BVSC Manna ABC in a tie packed with significance for both clubs.
Radnicki won the competition in 2013, while Marseille lifted the trophy in 2019, guaranteeing one previous champion will fall short of this year’s final. In the other semifinal, Jadran Split are chasing a first final appearance since 1998, while BVSC are aiming to reach the title match for the first time in club history.
Radnicki against Marseille looks one of the standout clashes of the European weekend.
Both sides endured frustrating Champions League campaigns, but have rebuilt momentum in the Euro Cup knockout rounds. Radnicki, finalists last season, eliminated Barcelona and Primorac Kotor to return to the last four and will be determined to go one step further this time.
The Serbian side combine physicality, experience and structure, with home advantage in Kragujevac expected to play a major role.
Marseille, meanwhile, have had to battle through a difficult path. They edged Savona in a dramatic Eight Finals contest before producing a commanding first-leg display against Sabadell to secure their semifinal place.
With Thomas Vernoux offering attacking threat and Ugo Crousillat leading an experienced core, the French club have the quality to trouble anyone left in the competition.
The tie feels finely balanced, with Radnicki’s defensive discipline set against Marseille’s speed and creativity.
In Split, Jadran are preparing for what could be one of their biggest European nights in years.
The Croatians survived a thrilling quarterfinal against Panathinaikos, progressing 30-29 on aggregate after late drama across both matches. Captain Zvonimir Butic proved decisive in the closing moments of each leg, underlining Jadran’s growing belief under pressure.
Jadran now have the chance to reach their first Euro Cup final since losing the 1998 showpiece to Partizan. With Olympic gold medal-winning goalkeeper Marko Bijac anchoring the defence, they will believe home support can push them closer to that goal.
Standing in their way are a confident BVSC side enjoying one of the strongest European campaigns in the club’s history.
The Hungarian team are the only semifinalists who did not arrive via the Champions League route, instead earning their place directly through consistent Euro Cup performances. They knocked out Vasas in the Eight Finals before dominating Oradea in the quarterfinals.
BVSC also travel to Croatia in strong domestic form, carrying momentum and belief that they can upset the hosts.
Their squad features a traditional Hungarian blend of strong perimeter shooting, centre-forward presence and tactical patience, making them a dangerous opponent over two legs.
With both semifinals appearing evenly matched, small details may decide who advances to the final. Home atmosphere, defensive execution and composure in key moments could prove crucial.
By the end of the weekend, two teams will have one foot in the final, while the other two will face an uphill battle in the return legs on 9 May.
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