Radnicki claimed a crucial 14:11 victory over Mladost in the standout fixture of the fifth round of the 2026 Champions League Group A, keeping the race for the quarterfinals wide open.
Mladost controlled the opening stages, storming to a 4:0 lead after eight minutes and holding a 7:3 advantage at halftime. But Radnicki mounted a remarkable comeback, closing the final ten minutes with a dominant 6:0 run to turn the match on its head and revive their Top 8 ambitions.
In the group’s other game, Olympiacos swept aside Vasas with a convincing 20:8 win, retaining first place on 12 points. Radnicki and Mladost now sit level on nine points, while none of the three contenders has yet secured qualification. A decisive clash awaits in February, when Olympiacos host Radnicki in Piraeus — the Greeks needing only to avoid a heavy defeat to reach the quarterfinals.
The drama was no less intense in Group D, where Waspo Hannover earned another major result away from home. The Germans defeated Sabadell 11:9, rising to second place and taking a three-point lead over Marseille in the battle for the final quarterfinal berth. Barceloneta have already qualified, while Sabadell’s hopes officially ended with this loss.
In Group B, Pro Recco maintained their perfect record, overcoming Jadran Herceg Novi 19:13 in Trebinje. The Italian champions continue to dominate the group and have secured top position with one round remaining. Jadran, however, remain in contention for a Top 8 spot.
2026 Champions League – Group Stage, Round 5
GROUP A
Radnicki – Mladost 14:11 (0:4, 3:3, 6:4, 4:0)
Radnicki: Prlainović 5, Vlachopoulos 4, S. Rašović 2, Vapenski 2, Pijetlović 1
Mladost: Kharkov 2, Lazić 2, Bašić 1, Tonicic 1, Buljubašić 1, Biljaka 1, Bukić 1, Nagaev 1, Lončar 1
The derby in Kragujevac began disastrously for Radnicki, who once again struggled on power plays — a recurring issue this season. The hosts missed all four of their 6-on-5 opportunities in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Mladost were sharp at both ends, scoring three action goals and one man-up to surge to a 4:0 lead.
Strahinja Rašović finally broke Radnicki’s drought ten minutes into the match, but Mladost maintained control and entered halftime 7:4 in front.
Radnicki’s response arrived in the third period. Pijetlović converted a counterattack to narrow the gap to 6:8, and Prlainović buried a penalty for 8:9. Though Kharkov and Lazić restored Mladost’s buffer at 11:8, the momentum soon shifted. Radnicki tightened their defense, improved their conversion rate, and produced a game-changing 6:0 run.
The hosts closed the third quarter trailing 10:11 and missed a late man-up to equalize, but the breakthrough came early in the final period. Prlainović tied the match at 11:11 from the penalty line and then struck again with an extra-player goal to give Radnicki their first lead. Vlachopoulos added another to push the margin to 13:11.
Mladost, forced to chase the game, brought on a seventh outfield player in the final minute. But Radnicki goalkeeper Radoslav Filipović made a crucial save on Franko Lazić, and with only two seconds on the clock, Vlachopoulos sealed the victory — completing the 6:0 run.
Olympiacos – Vasas 20:8 (6:1, 4:2, 6:1, 4:4)
Olympiacos: Kakaris 4, Nikolaidis 3, Zalánki 3, Genidounias 2, Angyal 2, Papanastasiou 2, Gkillas 1, Pouros 1, Dimou 1, Fountoulis 1
Vasas: Gábor 2, Djurdjić 2, Szalai 1, Dala 1, Foskolos 1, Batori 1
Olympiacos opened with a blistering 6/9 shooting performance, racing to a 6:0 lead before Vasas scored their lone first-quarter goal. The Greeks controlled the tempo throughout, stretching the lead to double digits midway through the third period and reaching their maximum margin of 13 goals early in the fourth.
Standings: 1. Olympiacos 12, 2. Radnicki 9, 3. Mladost 9, 4. Vasas 0
Head-to-head: Radnicki – Mladost 15:17, 14:11
GROUP B
Jadran HN – Pro Recco 13:19 (3:3, 2:6, 2:6, 6:4)
Jadran: Lazić 3, Vujović 2, Valera 2, Kholod 1, Stupar 1, Merkulov 1, Gojković 1, Janović 1
Pro Recco: Irving 5, Cannella 4, Iocchi Gratta 3, Patchaliev 2, Durik 2, Di Fulvio 1, Granados 1, Burić 1
Recco broke clear in the second period, scoring three consecutive goals to move from 3:3 to 6:3 before Irving stretched the advantage further with a quick double. By late in the third quarter, the margin reached 15:6, ending the contest.
Jadran goalkeeper Lazar Andrić scored into an empty net in the final seconds, but Recco’s dominance had long been established.
Standings: 1. Pro Recco 15, 2. Jadran HN 6, 3. Novi Beograd 6, 4. Jadran Split 3
Head-to-head: Jadran HN – Novi Beograd 12:11
GROUP D
Sabadell – Waspo Hannover 9:11 (5:3, 1:2, 1:3, 2:3)
Sabadell: Famera 2, Cabanas 2, Averka 2, Asensio 1, Varroso 1, Saboya 1
Waspo: Vukicevic 3, Bozic 2, Schipper 1, Langiewicz 1, Kueppers 1, Strelezkij 1, Milradovic 1, Gansen 1
Waspo Hannover continued their impressive European run, climbing to second place with a disciplined and well-earned win in Sabadell. The hosts held a 5:3 lead after a late first-quarter surge, but Hannover stayed in touch and trailed only 6:5 at halftime.
The turning point arrived early in the third period, when Sabadell failed to convert a 6-on-3 advantage. Spittnak saved Cabanas’ shot, and Hannover immediately punished the miss, scoring twice to take an 8:6 lead. Sabadell never recovered, despite reducing the gap to one goal on two occasions.
Gansen’s strike for 11:8 with just over five minutes remaining effectively sealed the victory. Hannover defended with composure in the closing stages, conceding only once more.
Both final-round matches in this group will be played in Spain. Barceloneta welcome Waspo Hannover, while Sabadell host Marseille. Barceloneta are already secure in first place unless they lose by 17 goals, and Sabadell are out of contention. Hannover hold a three-point lead over Marseille and will advance with any point gained in Barcelona — or if Marseille fail to win in Sabadell.
Standings: 1. Barceloneta 12, 2. Hannover 9, 3. Marseille 6, 4. Sabadell 3
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