The inaugural season of the Men’s Conference Cup begins tomorrow, marking the launch of European Aquatics’ newest club competition.
From Friday to Sunday, 19 teams from 14 countries will battle across five host cities in Round 1, vying for spots in the next phase. The top two teams from each group will progress to Round 2, where they’ll be joined by the clubs eliminated from the Euro Cup Group Stage.
For several sides, this weekend also represents a route to continue their European journey — even if they fall short of the top two. Under the competition framework, clubs from countries ranked 13th and below in the Men’s Clubs Country ranking that do not qualify for Round 2 will still advance to the Challenger Cup.
That guarantees further continental action for Banja Luka (BIH), Vitoria (POR), EVK Zaibas (LTU), and Galatasaray (TUR).
The competition brings together an intriguing mix of established clubs with European silverware in their cabinets and emerging teams seeking to make their mark on the continental stage.
2025/26 Conference Cup — Round 1 Preview
Group A (Utrecht)
Teams: Honved (HUN), UZSC (NED), PAOK (GRE), Posillipo (ITA)
Two storied European champions — Honved and Posillipo — headline the group in Utrecht. Honved are unbeaten domestically (6–0) and fresh from a Hungarian Cup silver medal, while Posillipo sit 5th in Serie A1 and continue to rebuild with ambition.
PAOK could disrupt the favourites’ plans, and hosts UZSC will hope to make the most of home support despite being underdogs.
Day 1 (Nov 7):
UZSC – Honved (19:00)
PAOK – Posillipo (20:45)
Group B (Athens)
Teams: Panionios (GRE), Tenerife (ESP), Budva (MNE), White Sharks Hannover (GER)
Panionios and Tenerife start as front-runners in Athens, but Budva, current A1 VRL League leaders, arrive with confidence and a few key reinforcements. The Montenegrins could yet spring a surprise.
White Sharks Hannover, Waspo’s developmental squad, include several seasoned players and may prove more dangerous than expected.
Day 1 (Nov 7, CET):
Tenerife – Budva (17:30)
Panionios – White Sharks (19:30)
Group C (Split)
Teams: Vitoria Sport Clube (POR), Banja Luka (BIH), Sete Natation (FRA), Mornar Split (CRO)
Hosts Mornar and Sete are expected to lead the way at the Poljud pool, while Banja Luka and Vitoria — both bound for the Challenger Cup — will aim to gain valuable experience against higher-ranked opposition.
Day 1 (Nov 7):
Banja Luka – Sete (18:45)
Mornar – Vitoria (20:30)
Group D (Belgrade)
Teams: EVK Zaibas (LTU), Partizan (SRB), De Akker (ITA), Neukölln Berlin (GER)
De Akker, led by Hungarian international Balázs Erdélyi, are the group favourites.
Hosts Partizan, seven-time European champions, continue their youth-focused rebuild — their oldest player born in 2004 — and will hope to capitalise on home support at the “11. April” pool.
EVK Zaibas, silver medallists in last year’s Challenger Cup, have strengthened with experienced players from the Balkans, including former Croatia captain Ivan Krapić. Their clash with Partizan could be decisive for second place.
Day 1 (Nov 7):
Partizan – Neukölln (19:00)
De Akker – EVK Zaibas (20:45)
Group E (Rijeka)
Teams: Primorje EB (CRO), Galatasaray (TUR), Mataro (ESP)
Primorje, runners-up in the 2012 Champions League, are determined to impress in front of their home fans and reclaim continental recognition.
Mataro, representing Spain’s ever-strong water polo tradition, enter as favourites on paper, while Galatasaray, winners of the 2024 Challenger Cup, will rely on experience and cohesion to stay competitive.
Day 1 (Nov 7):
Mataro – Galatasaray (19:00)
(Primorje – bye)
Teams Joining in Round 2 (Eliminated from Euro Cup):
Apollon (GRE), Sport Management (GEO), ZV De Zaan (NED), Crvena Zvezda (SRB), Montpellier (FRA), Rapid (ROU), Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO), OSC Potsdam (GER)
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