Round 4 of the 2026 Champions League delivered one of the most dramatic nights of the season so far. Mladost stunned Olympiacos in Zagreb, Ferencváros secured mathematical qualification, Brescia moved within touching distance of the Top 8, and Hannover produced another shock in the increasingly chaotic Group D.
Mladost – Olympiacos 14:13
(3:4, 3:3, 2:3, 6:3)
Mladost ended Olympiacos’ unbeaten run with a dramatic 14:13 victory in Zagreb, decided by Ivan Nagaev’s penalty goal in the very last second of the match.
It was a wild, emotional derby filled with momentum swings and a remarkable 38 exclusions (19 for each side). Olympiacos looked on course to protect their perfect record when they built a 10:7 lead late in the third period, but Mladost powered back with a huge final-quarter surge.
Key Moments
- Olympiacos edged the early exchanges, leading 1:0 and 2:1.
- Mladost briefly turned the score around before Olympiacos struck twice late in the first quarter.
- In the second quarter, Mladost moved ahead again (6:5), only for Olympiacos to respond immediately and take a 7:6 halftime lead.
- Olympiacos capitalised on exclusions in the third period, scoring twice on 6-on-5 and once from the penalty spot to pull away at 10:7.
- Nagaev converted late in the quarter to keep Mladost within reach.
The fourth quarter changed everything. Kharkov levelled at 10:10, and goalkeeper Mauro Ivan Čubranić — trusted to start the entire match — produced a crucial penalty save against Gergo Zalanki, holding the Champions League’s top scorer to a single goal.
Final-Minute Chaos
- 00:15 – Danial Angyal equalises at 13:13.
- 00:01 – Angyal commits a penalty foul.
- 00:00 – Nagaev buries the penalty for his third goal, sealing a dramatic win for the hosts.
A phenomenal comeback and a statement victory from Mladost in Zagreb.
Scorers
Mladost: Lazic 3, Nagaev 3, Vrlić 2, Kharkov 2, Vukičević 1, Bašić 1, Buljubašić 1, Biljaka 1
Olympiacos: Genidounias 3, Fountoulis 2, Angyal 2, Zalanki 1, Dimou 1, Alafragkis 1, Kakaris 1, Pouros 1
Standings (Group A):
- Olympiacos – 9
- Mladost – 9
- Radnički (3) – 3
- Vasas (3) – 0
GROUP C
Oradea – Ferencváros 5:17
(1:1, 3:3, 0:6, 1:7)
Ferencváros became the first team to mathematically qualify for the Quarter-Final Stage after a dominant second-half display in Romania. The champions led Oradea only 4:4 at halftime, struggling to convert extra-player opportunities early on, but completely dismantled the hosts after the break.
FTC scored 13 second-half goals, while conceding only once in that period, showcasing the defensive and attacking balance expected from a title contender.
Scorers
Oradea: Belenyesi 1, Insinna 1, Ilsie 1, Gardasevic 1, Velkic 1
Ferencváros: Vigvári 4, Nagy 3, Vámos 3, Argyropoulos 3, Manhercz 2, Fekete 1, Jansik 1
Brescia – Primorac 19:16
(4:2, 7:7, 4:4, 4:3)
Brescia kept firm control of second place in Group C after an offensively charged 19:16 win over Primorac. The Italians built an early 5:2 lead and maintained a steady advantage through most of the match, despite Primorac repeatedly closing the gap.
At 14:15 early in the fourth quarter, Primorac threatened a comeback, but Brescia responded with a decisive 3:0 run to move 18:14 ahead and seal the match.
Primorac’s last mathematical chance to reach the Top 8 is now gone — they will transition to the Euro Cup for the second half of the season.
Scorers
Brescia: Ferrero 3, Popadic 3, Gianazza 3, Giri 3, Balzarini 2, Guerrato 2, Dolce 2, Alesiani 1
Primorac: Mrsic 4, Inaba 3, Vuckovic 3, S. Cetkovic 1, Murisic 1, Vidovic 1, Brkic 1, P. Cetkovic 1, Stanojevic 1
Standings (Group C):
- Ferencváros – 12
- Brescia – 9
- Oradea – 3
- Primorac – 0
GROUP D
Waspo Hannover – Marseille 14:13
(2:3, 3:2, 6:4, 3:4)
Group D delivered another upset as Waspo Hannover stunned Marseille 14:13 — a remarkable result considering Marseille defeated the Germans by 11 goals in the reverse fixture.
Hannover led 2:1 in the first quarter before Marseille found its rhythm and moved 5:3 ahead. But the Germans hit back with a 3:0 surge early in the third quarter and later jumped to an 11:9 lead.
In the fourth period, Hannover extended the gap to three (12:9) and maintained control despite Marseille’s late push. The visitors cut the deficit to 14:13 with 19 seconds left, but it was too late.
A crucial win for Hannover, who stay firmly in the race for a Quarter-Final place, while Marseille face mounting pressure.
Scorers
Hannover: Schipper 3, Macan 2, Strelezkij 2, Buha 2, Gansen 2, Leangiewicz 1, Jaeschke 1, Vukicevic 1
Marseille: Nagy 5, Drasovic 2, Spaic 2, Vernoux 1, Crousillat 1, Kalogeropoulos 1, Marion-Vernoux 1
Standings (Group D):
- Barceloneta (2) – 6
- Marseille – 6
- Waspo Hannover – 6
- Sabadell (2) – 3
Read more about the water polo Champions League
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X