- Group C: Zodiac CNA Barceloneta, Marseille, Vasas and Jadran Herceg Novi.
- European Champions FTC to face Jadran Split and Radnicki
- Novi Beograd to face two Romanian sides in Group A
- Pro Recco play in the Euro Cup
Water polo never stops, and as the echoes of the Olympics still linger, the focus now shifts to the new season. Today marked the first significant milestone with the announcement of the group draws for both the Men’s and Women’s Champions League qualification rounds, as well as the Men’s Group Stage.
In what will come as sad news to water polo fans, the rumors have been confirmed: Pro Recco, the most successful club in the history of European water polo with 11 titles, will not compete in this year’s Champions League due to financial difficulties. The absence of such a storied club leaves a question mark over where its star players may land, and any transfers could significantly reshape the competitive landscape.
This season’s Men’s Group Stage promises plenty of intrigue. Defending champions FTC-Telekom Budapest will once again face Jadran Split, a rematch from last season, with the Hungarian side looking even stronger and poised as one of the favorites. Meanwhile, Novi Beograd, last year’s Final Four participant and two-time runner-up, appears to have a smoother path ahead. However, Barceloneta faces a stiffer challenge, having missed out last spring. They’ll need to navigate a tough group with Marseille, 2023 Euro Cup winners Vasas, and potentially Jug Dubrovnik, should they advance from the qualifiers.
Another Final Four team, Olympiacos, is set to meet Savona, who has taken Pro Recco’s place, along with Montenegrin champions Primorac Kotor. There’s also a strong possibility that Astralpool Sabadell, should they win their qualification group, will join this already competitive field.
As for the qualification rounds, they promise to deliver plenty of drama. Several teams with prior Group Stage experience, including Jug, Vouliagmeni, Brescia, and Sabadell, will be eager to return to the spotlight. But with only the top team from each group advancing, it’s a high-stakes battle where anything can happen.
On the women’s side, the draw has produced some formidable groups, especially in Athens, Eger, and Padova. While a few teams may have an easier path in Ede and Berlin, the top two teams from each group, along with the best third-ranked team, will advance to the Group Stage, ensuring intense competition throughout.
Men’s Champions League Draws
Group Stage
- Group A: VK Novi Beograd (SRB), Hannover 1898 (GER), CSA Steaua Bucuresti (ROU), CSM Oradea (ROU)
- Group B: FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN), VK Jadran Split (CRO), Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO), Radnicki (Serbia)
- Group C: Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP), CN Marseille (FRA), VasasPlaket Budapest (HUN), Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE)
- Group D: Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE), RN Savona (ITA), VPK Primorac Kotor (MNE), Sabadell (ESP)
Qualification Round
- Group A (Dubrovnik): Jug Adriatic Osiguranja Dubrovnik (CRO), CN Barcelona (ESP), Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE), Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU), VK Banja Luka (BIH)
- Group B (Kragujevac): Vouliagmeni NC (GRE), Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB), BVSC-Zuglo (HUN), HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO)
- Group C (Oradea): AN Brescia (ITA), Spandau 04 Berlin (GER), CSM Oradea (ROU), Enka Istanbul (TUR), PAOK Saloniki (GRE)
- Group D (Sabadell): Astralpool Sabadell (ESP), Ortigia 1928 (ITA), VK Sabac (SRB), Pays d’Aix Natation (FRA)
Women’s Champions League Draws (Qualification Round)
- Group A (Athens): FTC-Telekom (HUN), CN Sant Andreu (ESP), ZV De Zaan (NED), Panionios GSS (GRE), Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)
- Group B (Ede): Dunaujvaros (HUN), Lille UC (FRA), BVSC-Zuglo (HUN), Grand Nancy (FRA), Polar Bears (NED)
- Group C (Padova): Plebiscito Padova (ITA), Ethnikos Piraeus (GRE), Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE), Tenerife Echeyde (ESP), Hapoel Yoneam (ISR)
- Group D (Eger): SIS Roma (ITA), CN Terrassa (ESP), Digi-Eger (HUN), Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), III. Keruleti TVE (HUN)
- Group E (Berlin): Vouliagmeni NC (GRE), ANC Glyfada (GRE), Spandau 04 (GER), CN Catalunya (ESP), Widex GZC Donk (NED)
Teams already in the Group Stage: CN Mataro (ESP), Astralpool Sabadell (ESP), Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE), UVSE Budapest (HUN), Orizzonte Catania (ITA)