The European Super Cup delivered on every promise. In a furious, high-quality spectacle at Komjádi, FTC-Telekom outlasted Pro Recco 15–14 to lift the trophy for the second year running and the sixth time in club history. The reigning Champions League holders led most of the night, absorbed Recco’s surges, and found just enough composure in the decisive moments to see it out.

European Super Cup (Men)
FTC-Telekom – Pro Recco 15–14 (6–4, 3–5, 4–3, 2–2)
Venue: Komjádi Swimming Pool, Budapest • Referees: Stavridis (GRE), Zwart (NED)

The game

FTC’s start was electric: crisp extra-man execution and fearless finishing put the hosts 6–4 up after eight minutes, with Dusan Mandic lighting the fuse and Gergő Fekete tearing through the middle for two first-quarter goals. Recco’s summer signing Álvaro Granados kept the Italians in touch, but the green-and-white intensity—blocks, steals, and celebrations—set the tone.

The second period swung violently. Recco adjusted defensively, Rino Buric became a constant menace at centre, and the visitors wiped out a two-goal deficit in the final 31 seconds of the half: Giacomo Cannella struck for 8–9, and Francesco Di Fulvio finished a counter to level at 9–9 by halftime.

FTC changed in goal for the third—Dániel Szakonyi replaced Soma Vogel—and immediately Mandic re-established the lead at 10–9. Recco replied through Cannella and Granados to move ahead for the first time at 10–11, then 11–12, before a poised FTC finish to the quarter flipped the script again: Márton Vámos converted 6-on-5, and Krisztián Manhercz buried a penalty for 13–12 with seven seconds on the clock.

The final act was nerve over noise. Recco twice equalised (13–13, 14–14), but with 3:17 left Vámos ripped home what proved the winner on the power play. Vogel returned for the fourth and delivered timely stops while a man down; Recco still had their look at the end—Di Fulvio’s effort with 24 seconds left drifted wide—and Komjádi erupted.

Standout performers

• FTC: Krisztián Manhercz 4, Gergő Fekete 4, Dusan Mandic 3, Márton Vámos 2, Edoardo Di Somma 1, Szilárd Jansik 1
• Pro Recco: Álvaro Granados 3, Rino Buric 3, Lukáš Ďurík 2, Giacomo Cannella 2, Francesco Di Fulvio 2, Francesco Condemi 1

Man-up: FTC 7/16; Recco 4/14
Penalties: FTC 1/1; Recco 0/0

Fekete’s four goals—including two from open play in the first half and a cool finish on extra man—were pivotal, while Manhercz matched him with a blend of power and precision, converting the game’s lone penalty. Mandic’s timing was immaculate, and Vámos’ late 6-on-5 winner summed up FTC’s conviction. For Recco, Granados’ shot-making and Buric’s battles at two metres kept the Euro Cup winners on the front foot throughout.

Why it matters

Ferencváros’ triumph (1978, 1980, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025) narrows the gap to the all-time leaders Pro Recco (9) and reinforces FTC’s current era of European authority. The Hungarians showed depth (both goalkeepers impactful at different stages), variety in attack, and resilience when Recco briefly seized momentum.

Match sheet

FTC: Vogel (GK), Vigvári, Manhercz 4, Jansik 1, De Toro, Mandic 3, Vámos 2; subs: Szakonyi (GK), Nagy Á., Fekete 4, Di Somma 1, Vismeg, Argyropoulos, Varga V. • Coach: Balázs Nyéki
Pro Recco: Nicosia (GK), Condemi 1, Granados 3, Pavillard, Cassia 1, Irving, Presciutti; subs: Negri (GK), Di Fulvio 2, Cannella 2, Buric 3, Ďurík 2, Iocchi Gratta, Fondelli • Coach: Sandro Sukno

Super Cup roll of honour (selected)

9 – Pro Recco (2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023)
6 – Ferencváros (1978, 1980, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025)
3 – Mladost (1976, 1990, 1996), CSK VMF Moscow (1977, 1981, 1983)
2 – Spandau 04 (1986, 1987), Pescara (1988, 1993), Partizan (1991, 2011), Catalunya (1992, 1995), Jug (2006, 2016)
1 – OSC (1979), Barcelona (1982), POŠK (1984), Dynamo Moscow (1985), Újpest (1994), Olympiacos (2002), Honvéd (2004), Posillipo (2005), Primorac (2009), Crvena zvezda (2013), Barceloneta (2014), Szolnok (2017)

Note: The Super Cup began in 1976; it was not held in 1989, 1997–2001, or 2020. Since 2003 the Euro Cup winner has faced the European champion (previously the Cup Winners’ Cup holder).