All the Final Four berths may have been booked last week, but the top spot in Group B remains at stake. All Pro Recco need is a home win against Waspo 98 Hannover, which should be an achievable goal for the 11-time champions. There is also some jeopardy at the bottom of Group A, as VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija host AN Brescia, with the Serbians needing a regular time win to avoid finishing last.
2025/26 Champions League Men
Quarterfinals Stage, Day 6
Wednesday 20 May
(CET times shown)
Group A
20:30: Olympiacos SFP (GRE) v Zodiac CNAB (ESP)
20:30: VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija (SRB) v AN Brescia (ITA)
Standings: 1. CNAB, 15pts, 2. Olympiacos, 8pts, 3. Brescia, 4pts, 4. NBG, 3pts
Group B
20.30: Pro Recco (ITA) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)
20.30: FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN) v HAVK Mladost (CRO)
Standings: 1. Recco, 12pts, 1. FTC, 12pts, 3. Mladost, 3pts, 3. Waspo, 3pts
Group A
20:30: Olympiacos SFP (GRE) v Zodiac CNAB (ESP)
Head-to-head: 7-9 (3d)
Day 3: 13-20. 2023-24: 13-13, pen: 6-5, 10-7. 2022-23: 7-9, 5-10. 2021-22: 8-4, 5-9. 2020-21: 9-22 (quarter-final). 2019-20: 11-11, 9-15. 2017-18: 7-7, 14-10, 6-4 (semi-final). 2015-16: 7-7, 9-5. 2014-15: 7-9, 8-12. 2013-14: 9-8, 11-10.
Olympiacos have already secured their ticket for Malta and Barceloneta have also tied up first place in the group, so this game is more about prestige and pride.
And for the Greeks, a bit of revenge, as they suffered their worst beating of the season, across all competitions on Day 3 of the quarterfinals.
CNAB blew them away, hitting 20 goals, which would have caused some embarrassment for Piraeus coach Elvis Fatovic, who famously led the Spaniards in the previous seasons.
The Croatian maestro did not mention that result exactly in his pre-game statement, but insisted on going for a home win on Wednesday.
“We play against one of the teams who probably play the best polo in Europe at this stage,” Fatovic said. “We’re expecting a really tough game, but we’re planning to win.
“This game is also a very good preparation for the following finals of our national League and I hope everyone will enjoy it.”
Also, maintaining a high level at this stage of the season, when trophies are at stake, is something all serious teams want to achieve – this is what Alexandros Papanastasiou was also talking about.
“We all know that, from a standings point of view, Wednesday’s match is not particularly important, but that does not change anything.
“We want to be just as serious and ready as we were in the previous matches, and as we want to be going forward.
“Barceloneta are a very strong team and this is the best test we could have ahead of the league finals and the Final Four in Malta. These are the two final goals of the season.”
CNAB showed in Belgrade that they are taking each game seriously and they won’t change their attitude for Day 6, according to their coach Fran Fernandez.
“We reach the final matchday with both teams having already done their homework and the group standings decided.
“Therefore, the game is more about feeling and pride. Although it may seem like a low-stakes match, playing against Olympiacos in their own pool is already a great motivation in itself.
“We want to maintain our winning streak and, above all, continue playing and improving our water polo.”
The CNAB coach’s views were also echoed by his young player Biel Gomila: “It will be a tough game, as they are a great team, but here at San Sebastian we fought well and we won by a big difference.
“I think it’s the best game we could have to prepare for Malta and we will need to be ready physically and mentally.”
Group A
20:30: VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija (SRB) v AN Brescia (ITA)
Head-to-head: 5-2 (1d)
Day 3: 11-12. 2023-24: 13-8, 13-5. 2022-23: 11-9, 9-12. 2021-22: 11-11, 16-13, 14-13 (semi-final).
After four straight defeats, Novi Beograd are aiming for a better ending – though they may also have their domestic final series against Radnicki on their minds.
For sure, they lost a lot in Brescia when they were defeated in a hard-fought battle, so there is something to play for in this match.
Brescia also showed tremendous character when they forced their previous match to a shootout against Olympiacos and a win there would have reserved some chance to make the cut, but earning only one point dropped them out of the race.
Visiting Belgrade still offers a fine opportunity for the Italians to prepare themselves for the upcoming grand matches back home.
“We’re going to Serbia with the goal of putting in a good performance and giving 100%,” Brescia’s Nicolo Casanova said. “It could give us important insights for the next league match against Pro Recco and then for the playoffs.
“Regardless of the result against Novi Beograd, we’re happy with our run in the Champions League.
“We dreamed of reaching the Final Four, so there’s a bit of disappointment, but we know we’ve shown we can compete among the top teams in Europe.”
Group B
20.30: Pro Recco (ITA) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)
Head-to-head: 11-0
Day 3: 20-14. 2022-23: 11-8, 21-4. 2021-22: 20-7, 18-3. 2020-21: 19-6 (quarter-final). 2019-20: 21-13. 2018-19: 14-10 (quarter-final). 2016-17: 18-8, 10-7. 2014-15: 14-5 (qualifications).
Pro Recco face one final job – to land a home win against Waspo, which would see them top the group.
Barring a complete collapse, it’s hard to imagine any scenario where Recco won’t beat the Germans at home.
In the past 11 games the two teams have contested, none have gone the other way, so it looks almost certain to be Recco’s time once again.
“First place in the group is at stake, which has been our objective since the draw was made,” Recco’s Tommaso Negri said.
“Hannover have impressed me a lot. Without doubt, they have been one of the surprises of this season’s Champions League, especially in the first group stage, where they achieved important and highly competitive results against more established teams.
“Compared to the past, they may have fewer well-known names, but they have found a very effective playing system.
“Their coach has given the team a clear identity, capable of putting any opponent in difficulty. They will arrive in Genoa already out of the race for the Final Four, but playing against Pro Recco is always a huge motivation.
“They will certainly want to perform well, showcase themselves and give everything they have. If we manage to secure first place, we would face Olympiacos in the semifinals, who are another team built to win.”
Group B
20.30: FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN) v HAVK Mladost (CRO)
Head-to-head: 3-0
Day 3: 15-10. 2019-20: 14-5, 9-6
FTC-Telekom have two challenges ahead – the league finals against Conference Cup runners-up Honved and the Final Four in Malta.
To get ready for these, there are probably no better rivals than Mladost, who have the depth and quality to be competitive against top level sides.
The Croatians have just lacked something this season to stay in the hunt till the last day.
Of course, the title-holders are looking for another win before the ultimate battles, according to their star leftie Dusan Mandic: “In front of our home crowd and with the Final Four getting closer and closer, we want to use every match to prepare for what is most important, what is coming next for us.
“We are preparing for the championship title games in Hungary, so this match is going to be very useful for us to prepare for the first match against Honved on Saturday.
“We are at the very end of the season, and this is when the most important things happen – the titles, the trophies – and this is the most beautiful part of the year for every player.
“So, I hope everybody will be healthy and we will enjoy together the coming weeks and achieve all we want to achieve.”
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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics
