Pro Recco recovered from three goals down to defeat Brescia 16-13 on Tuesday night, as the 2026/27 Champions League group stage got underway.
Olympiacos, Sabadell and Radnicki also opened their European campaigns with victories, with Sabadell surviving a 33-goal thriller against Jadran Herceg Novi.
Recco overturn three-goal deficit in Brescia
Pro Recco were made to work for their opening victory as Sandro Sukno’s side came from behind to claim three points in Brescia.
The first quarter ended level at 2-2 before Brescia took control in the second. Goals from Lars Rouwenhorst and a double from Yannek Leinweber helped the hosts move 5-2 ahead.
Recco responded through Alvaro Granados and Luca Iocchi Gratta, but Jake Tanti Cutajar restored Brescia’s two-goal advantage before half-time, sending the hosts into the break 6-4 ahead.
The match changed dramatically after the restart.
Recco needed just 45 seconds to turn the game around. Luka Buric converted from close range before Giacomo Cannella struck twice to transform a 6-4 deficit into a 7-6 lead.
Brescia remained within touching distance, but Francesco Condemi scored twice as Recco began to establish control. Iocchi Gratta then produced an excellent finish on the buzzer to make it 11-9 after three quarters.
Granados took over in the fourth, scoring three times in less than four minutes as Recco opened up a 14-11 advantage.
Max Irving and Gergo Zalanki added further goals as the Italian champions completed the comeback and secured a 16-13 victory.
Granados finished as Recco’s leading scorer with four goals, while Cannella added three. Leinweber and Vincenzo Ferrero both scored three for Brescia.
It was Recco’s eighth consecutive victory over Brescia across all competitions.
Sabadell survive thriller in Montenegro
Sabadell secured a dramatic 17-16 victory over Jadran Herceg Novi in one of the most entertaining games of the opening night.
The Spanish side made an excellent start and moved 6-3 ahead during the opening quarter, but Jadran responded strongly and eventually turned the game around to lead 8-6.
From there, neither side could establish control.
The teams were level at 13-13 heading into the final period before Jadran moved 15-14 ahead.
Sabadell responded with the decisive run of the night, scoring three consecutive goals to take a 17-15 lead.
Strahinja Gojkovic pulled one back for the hosts, who had opportunities to force an equaliser in the closing stages, but Sabadell survived to leave Montenegro with all three points.
Fran Valera scored four goals for Sabadell, while Gojkovic led Jadran with five.
Radnicki cruise past Oradea
Radnicki made an impressive start to their Champions League campaign with a convincing 14-9 victory away against Oradea.
The Serbian side immediately took control, scoring the opening four goals of the contest before ending the first quarter 5-1 ahead.
Oradea managed to slow Radnicki’s momentum during the second period, but Uros Stevanovic’s team remained firmly in control after half-time and extended their advantage to six goals during the fourth quarter.
Nikola Jaksic led Radnicki with four goals, Nikola Lukic scored three and Nikola Dedovic added two.
Tudor Fulea was Oradea’s leading scorer with three.
The victory gives Radnicki an ideal start in a highly competitive Group B alongside Pro Recco, Brescia and Oradea.
Olympiacos open with convincing win
Olympiacos also began their Champions League campaign with three points, defeating Hannover 17-10 in Germany.
The Greek champions entered the new season among the leading contenders for the title following another summer of significant changes to their squad.
Despite playing their opening match away from home, Olympiacos made an immediate statement with a seven-goal victory.
The result leaves Olympiacos and Sabadell with three points apiece at the top of Group A after the opening night.
Champions League – Tuesday results
Group A
Hannover 10-17 Olympiacos
Jadran Herceg Novi 16-17 Sabadell
Group B
Oradea 9-14 Radnicki
Brescia 13-16 Pro Recco
The opening round continues on Wednesday, with Ferencvaros facing Steaua Bucharest, defending champions Barceloneta hosting Novi Beograd, Mladost taking on Jadran Split and Marseille meeting Panathinaikos.
Read more about the water polo Champions League
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X