The Men’s Euro Cup group stage began with an entertaining opening round on Thursday, featuring two penalty shootouts, dramatic late winners and several closely contested encounters across Europe.
Savona and Apollon Smyrnis both secured shootout victories, while Barcelona, Budva, Spandau and Strasbourg claimed narrow wins. BVSC and Jug Dubrovnik also made impressive starts to their European campaigns.
Savona and Apollon survive dramatic finishes
Savona recovered from a three-goal fourth-quarter deficit against Primorac Kotor, eventually winning 18-16 on penalties.
The Montenegrin visitors led 14-11 before Savona mounted a late comeback, with Andrea Condemi equalising at 14-14 just 41 seconds before full-time.
Davide Occhione scored seven goals as the Italian hosts claimed two valuable points.
There was even greater drama in Athens, where Apollon Smyrnis defeated Terrassa 17-15 following another shootout.
Terrassa appeared set for victory when Albert Sabadell restored their lead late in the contest, but Hannes Daube scored in the final second to force penalties.
Barcelona secure last-second victory
Barcelona also left it until the final moments, defeating Georgian side A-Polo Sport Management 18-17.
The visitors equalised with five seconds remaining, but Goma scored at the buzzer to secure all three points for the Spanish club.
Elsewhere in Group C, Budva recorded an important 13-12 away victory over Posillipo in Naples, surviving a late comeback after establishing a four-goal lead.
BVSC win Budapest derby
BVSC opened their campaign with a 15-11 victory against city rivals Honved.
The teams were level at 8-8 late in the second quarter before BVSC scored three unanswered goals to establish the decisive advantage.
Erik Csacsovszky led the scoring with four goals.
Jug make emphatic start
Jug Dubrovnik produced the biggest victory of the evening, defeating Partizan 20-8 after establishing a remarkable 6-0 first-quarter lead.
Marko Zuvela scored five goals for the Croatian side.
In France, Strasbourg edged Pays d’Aix 13-12, with Matteo Crippa scoring five goals.
Spandau completed the opening round with a narrow 13-12 victory over Sabac, recovering after the Serbian visitors briefly took the lead in the final quarter.
Men’s Euro Cup – Round 1 Results
Group A
- BVSC 15-11 Honved
- Posillipo 12-13 Budva
Group B
- Savona 18-16 Primorac (penalties; 14-14 after regulation)
- Spandau 13-12 Sabac
Group C
- Barcelona 18-17 A-Polo Sport Management
- Apollon Smyrnis 17-15 Terrassa (penalties; 12-12 after regulation)
Group D
- Jug Dubrovnik 20-8 Partizan
- Pays d’Aix 12-13 Strasbourg
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