The 2025 Euro Cup final is set: Radnicki Kragujevac will meet Italian powerhouse Pro Recco in what promises to be an exciting two-legged finale.
All eyes were on Kragujevac as Radnicki welcomed Mladost Zagreb in the second leg of their semifinal clash. The Serbian side trailed by three goals after losing the first leg 13-10 in Croatia but produced a stunning turnaround at home, winning 15-8 to claim the aggregate victory.
Meanwhile, Pro Recco all but booked their spot in the final weeks ago with a dominant 16-6 win over Sabadell in the first leg. A 10-10 draw in the return leg in Spain sealed their passage with ease.
Radnicki Stuns Mladost with Second-Half Surge
Radnicki and Mladost traded early blows, with the visitors jumping out to a two-goal lead that extended their aggregate advantage to five. But Radnicki responded quickly, and the tide began to turn. The first period ended 5-4 in favor of the hosts, who began to chip away at the deficit.
A red card for Mladost’s Matias Biljaka in the 5th minute added further pressure to the visitors. By halftime, Radnicki had built a 7-5 lead, thanks in part to strong goalkeeping from Radoslav Filipovic and a crucial power-play goal from Boris Vapenski.
In the third period, Radnicki found their rhythm. With improved execution on extra-man opportunities, they tied the aggregate at 9-6 through Nikola Murisic’s goal. Mladost fought back but couldn’t stem the wave. Goals from Dadvani and Vapenski extended Radnicki’s lead to 11-7. In the dying moments of the quarter, Mladost squandered a clear chance to keep things close, with Basic missing a one-on-one against Filipovic.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the hosts. Jaksic and Vasic both converted man-up chances, and Drasovic’s long-range strike put Radnicki in control at 14-8. Mladost continued to falter with their power plays, while Radnicki piled on one final goal to close the contest at 15-8.
Final aggregate: Radnicki 25 – 21 Mladost
Radnicki’s efficiency in man-up situations proved decisive: they converted 10 of 18, while Mladost managed just 5 of 15.
Pro Recco Cruises Despite Draw in Spain
In the second semifinal, Sabadell hosted Pro Recco in a match with little pressure, the result having been effectively decided in Italy. Still, the Spanish side put up a fight and made the evening enjoyable for the fans.
After a 3-3 first quarter, Recco pulled ahead to 6-3 by halftime. But Sabadell rallied in the second half. Goals from Averka and Bowen saw them briefly take a 9-8 lead in the fourth quarter. Recco regained control through Hallock and Condemi, but Bowen equalized again with a man-up conversion. The last-minute drama saw Di Fulvio denied by Lorrio to preserve the draw.
Final aggregate: Pro Recco 26 – 16 Sabadell
Euro Cup Final Fixtures
First Leg: May 10 – Radnicki (home)
Second Leg: May 24 – Pro Recco (home)
Radnicki, champions in 2013, are chasing a second title, while Pro Recco, despite their storied European pedigree, are seeking their first Euro Cup crown.
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