The 2025/26 Euro Cup qualifications got underway with 16 matches across four host cities, and the opening day delivered no shortage of drama. While some favourites cruised, two derby encounters proved decisive as Spandau and Trieste secured vital early victories.
Group A (Athens): Spandau strike first against Apollon
In what could prove the defining clash for top spot in Group A, Spandau 04 outplayed hosts Apollon Smyrnis 14–10. Both clubs entered as frontrunners, but the Berliners took control from the late stages of the first quarter. Nikola Kojic’s buzzer-beater for 4–3 set the tone, and two quick strikes at the start of the second gave Spandau breathing space.
Although Apollon fought back to within two on several occasions, they never truly recovered. Krisztian Nagy led Spandau with four goals, while Ivan Tkac added three. For Apollon, Solanakis, Alamanos and Bogdanovic all netted braces.
Elsewhere in Athens, ZV De Zaan and Sport Management Tbilisi produced a thriller that went the distance. The Dutch side fought back late to force penalties, but the Georgians held their nerve to edge a 19–18 victory after a shootout.
Next up (Oct 4):
- Spandau vs ZV De Zaan (18:00 CET)
- Apollon Smyrnis vs Sport Management (20:00 CET)
Group B (Montpellier): Trieste edge Red Star, Vouliagmeni ruthless
Trieste got off to a perfect start, narrowly defeating Crvena Zvezda 12–11 in a back-and-forth battle. The Italians raced to a 3–0 lead, only for the Belgrade club to claw back to level terms on several occasions. With the score tied at 9–9, Trieste struck twice in succession to build a decisive cushion and held on for the win. Veteran centre-forward Vlado Draskovic led the way with four goals.
Vouliagmeni, meanwhile, left no doubts about their ambitions. After briefly being pegged back to 5–5 by hosts Montpellier, the Greeks blew the game wide open with five unanswered goals before halftime. From there it was a rout, as Vouliagmeni ran out 23–9 winners, Spachits scoring seven times.
Next up (Oct 4):
- Vouliagmeni vs Crvena Zvezda (18:30)
- Montpellier vs Trieste (20:30)
Group C (Šibenik): Solaris hold on, Steaua power through
Hosts Solaris earned a hard-fought 17–14 win against Dinamo Tbilisi. A strong third quarter (4–1) looked to have put the Croats in control at 11–6, but Dinamo mounted a late surge to cut the gap to just one. Solaris responded with timely strikes to steady the ship, with Cubranic and Pelicaric both scoring four goals.
The all-Romanian clash between Rapid and Steaua started evenly, but Steaua took command in the second half. Inspired by Djordje Vucinic’s five goals, Steaua pulled away to win 19–10, confirming their credentials as group favourites.
Next up (Oct 4):
- Dinamo Tbilisi vs Steaua (18:00)
- Solaris vs Rapid (20:00)
Group D (Terrassa): Hosts and Szolnok in cruise control
There were no surprises in Catalonia. Hosts Terrassa demolished OSC Potsdam 24–9 after storming to an 8–0 lead. Dani Ten Broek and Bernat Sanahuja Bargalló combined for nine goals as the Spaniards delighted the home crowd.
Szolnok were equally dominant, easing past Pays d’Aix 23–10. A blistering 7–1 opening quarter left the French side stunned, and while they briefly rallied in the second, the Hungarians showed too much firepower. Zérinváry and Krasznai top-scored with three each.
Next up (Oct 4):
- Szolnok vs OSC Potsdam (16:00)
- Terrassa vs Pays d’Aix (18:00)
What it means
Day 1 saw several clear favourites stamp their authority, with Vouliagmeni, Szolnok, Terrassa, and Steaua recording emphatic wins. But the real talking points came from the tighter contests: Spandau’s triumph over Apollon could shape Group A, while Trieste’s hard-fought win keeps Group B wide open. With goal difference likely to matter for the best runners-up, every goal scored this week could prove decisive
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