The Italian powerhouses made a perfect start to the 2026 Champions League, with both Pro Recco and AN Brescia recording away victories on the opening day of the group stage.
Pro Recco silence Belgrade
As expected, Pro Recco defeated Novi Beograd 12–8 in Group B, securing three points in Belgrade.
The 2025 Euro Cup winners stormed into a 4–0 lead inside the opening quarter, setting the tone for the match. Novi Beograd’s young side fought valiantly and managed to narrow the gap to 5–6 midway through the third period, but a three-goal burst from Fondelli (2) and Condemi (1) in just 75 seconds restored Recco’s control.
Milan Glusac stood out in goal for the hosts, while Marko Martinović netted three times. Recco’s attack was led by Condemi (3) and Álvaro Granados (2).
Result:
Group B – Novi Beograd 8–12 Pro Recco (0–4, 2–2, 3–2, 3–4)
Novi Beograd: Martinović 3, Ćuk 2, Gladović 1, Trtović 1, Urošević 1
Pro Recco: Condemi 3, Granados 2, Irving 2, Fondelli 2, Presciutti 1, Pavillard 1, Iocchi Gratta 1
Yesterday: Jadran HN 14–11 Jadran Split
Ferencváros open title defence in style
In Group C, defending champions Ferencváros cruised to a 19–11 victory over Oradea, despite missing several stars — including Dusan Mandic, Stylianos Argyropoulos, Kristztián Manhercz, and Soma Vogel.
After falling 1–3 behind early, Fradi exploded with a 10–1 run to lead 11–4 by halftime, a margin they maintained until the end. Gergő Vismeg (5), Ákos Nagy (3), and Vendel Vígvári (3) led the scoring, while Milos Gardašević netted four for the Romanians.
Result:
Ferencváros 19–11 Oradea (4–3, 7–1, 3–3, 5–4)
Brescia edge Primorac in Kotor thriller
The most dramatic encounter of the evening came in Kotor, where AN Brescia edged Primorac 14–13 in a nail-biting Group C duel.
Momentum swung throughout: Primorac led 7–5 midway through the second quarter, but Brescia rallied before halftime. Filippo Ferrero’s penalty and Vlado Popadić’s decisive goal from six metres in the final minute secured victory for the Italians.
Result:
Primorac 13–14 Brescia (3–3, 4–4, 3–5, 3–2)
Brescia scorers: Ferrero 3, Gianazza 3, Balzarini 3, Popadić 2, Dolce 1, Del Basso 1, Giri 1
Both Italian clubs — Recco and Brescia — returned to the Champions League this season after a one-year absence, and both have immediately reaffirmed their elite status.
Barceloneta win the Spanish derby
In Group D, Atlètic Barceloneta overcame Sabadell 16–12 in an entertaining all-Spanish clash.
Sabadell led several times in the first half and even went 9–7 ahead early in the third quarter. But Barceloneta’s response was emphatic: seven unanswered goals turned the game around, capped by a long-range strike from Alessandro Velotto at the third-quarter buzzer.
Sabadell: Averka 5, Cabañas 2, Saboya 2, Famera 1, Bonet 1, Panerai 1
Barceloneta: Sanahuja 3, Velotto 3, Burian 2, Tahull 2, Vígvári 2, Biel 2, Munárriz 1, Echenique 1
Yesterday: Marseille 20–9 Waspo Hannover
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