Depending on results, all eight of the qualification spots could be sealed on Day 5 of the men’s Euro Cup Group Stage. Thursday’s highlights include CN Terrassa’s visit to VK Solaris Sibenik, where an away win could be enough for the Spaniards to join VK Jug AO in the next round from Group A. Elsewhere, Panathinaikos have a must-win clash at home against BVSC Manna ABC to stay in contention in Group C, while Pallanuoto Trieste face a similar task in Group B when they host Szolnoki Dozsa Praktiker.
2025/26 Euro Cup Men
Group Stage, Day 5
Thursday 4 December
(Local times shown)
Group A
19:00: VK Jug AO (CRO) v ASC Duisburg (GER)
20:30: VK Solaris Sibenik (CRO) v CN Terrassa (ESP)
Standings: 1. Jug 12pts, 2. Terrassa 6pts, 3. Solaris 3pts, 3. Duisburg 3pts
Group B
20:00: Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA) v Szolnoki Dozsa Praktiker (HUN)
20:30: CS Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) v CN Barcelona (ESP)
Standings: 1. Barcelona 9pts, 1. Szolnok 9pts, 3. Trieste 6pts, 4. Dinamo 0pts
Group C
13:30: Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) v PVK Buducnost Podgorica (MNE)
21:30: Panathinaikos AC (GRE) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
Standings: 1. BVSC 9pts, 2. Vouliagmeni 8pts, 3. Panathinaikos 7pts, 4. Buducnost 0pts
Group D
19:00: Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v CSA Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
20:00: VK Sabac Elixir (SRB) v RN Savona (ITA)
Standings: 1. Savona 12pts, 2. Sabac 9pts, 3. Spandau 3pts, 4. Steaua 0pts
Group A
(Local times shown)
Standings: 1. Jug 12pts, 2. Terrassa 6pts, 3. Solaris 3pts, 3. Duisburg 3pts
19:00: VK Jug AO (CRO) v ASC Duisburg (GER)
VK Jug AO – the 2024 Euro Cup winners – are flying high right now and were one of the two teams to book their ticket to the Eight Finals with two games to spare on Day 4 (along with Savona).
After their impressive 12-15 away win against Terrassa two weeks ago – their fourth successive Euro Cup win this season – it took them to 12 points and guaranteed them a place in the next phase.
ASC Duisburg, meanwhile, desperately need a win to keep their slim hopes of qualification alive, and they will need a much better performance than they produced in the reverse fixture in Germany on Day 2 (9-18) if they are to cause Jug problems.
“We need to achieve the best possible result against the group favourites,” said Duisburg’ captain’s Robert Gergelyfi. “As at the end, every goal may count for the qualification to the next round.“
“Jug have shown they are a class above all the other teams in the group,” said Duisburg coach Vuk Vuksanovic. “Dubrovnik is a difficult place to play, but we will do our best.”
20:30: VK Solaris Sibenik (CRO) v CN Terrassa (ESP)
Like Duisburg, VK Solaris Sibenik will have to go all-out for a victory on Thursday. A win would move them level in the group with CN Terrassa and keep them in contention for the second qualifying spot.
A win for the Spaniards, meanwhile, coupled with a VK Jug win in Dubrovnik, would see the Spaniards secure their place in the next phase.
The Croatians will have their work cut out, as they struggled during their visit to Terrassa on Day 2, where they found themselves 12-3 down early in the third, before a late rally saw them make the scoreline more respectable (16-12).
“In our first encounter with Terrassa we lost by four goals, which means we must go for the win now, and if the opportunity arises, try to overturn that deficit as well,” said Solaris coach Bruno Sabioni. “If we lose to Terrassa, we fall behind and drop out of the race.
“That’s why we’re hoping for a strong performance. We believe in our team, and our goal is clear: to win the match and, if possible, recover the goal difference.
“As long as we are mathematically in the fight, we will give everything we have to reach the knockout stage.”
“We’re expecting a very tough match,” added Solaris’ Domagoj Bulat. “Terrassa are a team known for their fast and aggressive style of play, with lots of shooting and constant pressure.
“We are aware of their quality. Our situation in the group isn’t ideal, but still, as long as there is a chance, we will keep fighting.”
If Terrassa do sink Solaris, and Duisburg pull off a huge surprise in Dubrovnik, that would set up a do-or-die clash on the final day between the Spaniards and Germans.
Group B
(Local times shown)
Standings: 1. Barcelona 9pts, 1. Szolnok 9pts, 3. Trieste 6pts, 4. Dinamo 0pts
20:00: Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA) v Szolnoki Dozsa Praktiker (HUN)
With three points separating Pallanuoto Trieste – who sit third in the table – and Szolnoki Praktiker, the Italians are one defeat away from probable elimination.
Away wins for the Hungarians and CN Barcelona this week would sew up the two qualification places with a game to spare.
“To take all three points from the Italians, we’ll need our best performance of the year, which is what we have prepared for,” said Szolnok coach Zoltan Hangay.
The reverse fixture on Day 2 was a close and entertaining affair, which Szolnok edged 16-14 at home, so this week’s clash promises to be a real thriller.
“It’s always tough to go on the road against a team like Trieste,” added Szolnok’s Marton Zeman. “There’s a lot on the line for both teams.
“I expect a fast and physical match just like the first one, and rock solid defence will be the key to close out the year with three points.”
“For us, it’s also obviously a very decisive match,” stated Trieste coach Maurizio Mirarchi. “We absolutely want to win because our goal is to advance to the next round.”
20:30: CS Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) v CN Barcelona (ESP)
CN Barcelona are on a roll right now, having won three straight Euro Cup games since their opening-day loss away to Pallanuoto Trieste.
The Spaniards made up for that defeat two weeks ago by beating the Italians 19-12 at home, which left Trieste – instead of them – teetering on the edge of elimination.
History suggests CS Dinamo București are in for another tough night on Thursday, as Barcelona bossed the game between them on Day 2 (22-11) and the Romanians are yet to win a single point in Europe so far this season.
Group C
(Local times shown)
Standings: 1. BVSC 9pts, 2. Vouliagmeni 8pts, 3. Panathinaikos 7pts, 4. Buducnost 0pts
13:30: Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) v PVK Buducnost Podgorica (MNE)
After cruising to a comfortable 7-17 win in Podgorica on Day 2, Vouliagmeni NC will start as the overwhelming favourites on Thursday and aren’t likely to need a shootout at home to secure a victory against bottom-placed Buducnost, who are yet to earn a single point in Group C.
The Greeks have set a trend of taking their games to penalties – five of their seven Euro Cup games this season have ended in a shootout: two in the qualifiers (Crvena Zvezda 5-6L, Trieste 6-5W) and three in the Group Stage (BVSC 9-8W, Panathinaikos 6-7W, BVSC 10-9L).
“This week’s game is expected to be a particularly strong and demanding game, with its own special significance, as is the case with all European matches,” said Vouliagmeni’s Ioannis Tottis. “We have worked hard, we have prepared properly, and we are determined to give our very best. We are aware of the challenges, but we trust our abilities, and we will fight for a positive result.”
With eight points at present, the Greeks could secure their progression with another win against the Hungarians, provided BVSC Manna also beat their cross-town rivals Panathinaikos in the later match.
21:30: Panathinaikos AC (GRE) v BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
Panathinaikos are fully aware of the challenge they face this week to remain in the hunt for a ticket to the next round – they need to down BVSC at home, unless Buducnost perform a miracle in the earlier fixture.
“This is a hugely important game,” said Panathinaikos’ Nikolas Papasifakis. “We need to win to keep our chances of qualifying to the next round alive. We have been preparing hard for a long time and, with the fans on our side, I believe we will manage to get the positive result.”
In Budapest, on Day 3, the clash between Panathinaikos and BVSC was a huge battle, with the Hungarians sensationally fighting back from 4-8 behind at half-time to win 13-10.
It was a remarkable turnaround, but one that would have left the Greeks hurting and fired up for some revenge this week.
“We know one of the three strong teams will leave the group disappointed,” said BVSC coach Dániel Varga. “We are working not only to advance, but to finish first in the group if possible, and for that we need to achieve a very good result in Athens.
“We have everything we need to succeed, even though we will be playing against a strong team in what will likely be a special atmosphere. We are ready; all my players are highly motivated, and I hope this will show in the water and lead to a successful performance.”
If Panathinaikos triumph on Thursday, BVSC will get another chance to secure their passage to the Eight Finals when they take on Buducnost in Budapest on the final day – in February, after the break for the European Championships – while the two Greek sides would face off in a winner-takes-all clash in Vouliagmeni.
Group D
(Local times shown)
Standings: 1. Savona 12pts, 2. Sabac 9pts, 3. Spandau 3pts, 4. Steaua 0pts
19:00: Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v CSA Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
Spandau 04 Berlin are also in must-win territory, as they need all three points from their clash with already-eliminated Steaua Bucharest to keep the pressure on VK Sabac Elixir in second place.
The Germans edged the reverse fixture on Day 2 (9-11) in Romania thanks to a strong 2-5 opening quarter, which proved decisive, as the match turned into a fierce battle after that, with Steaua winning the remaining three periods 7-6.
A victory for Spandau would bring them to within three points of the Serbians ahead of the final fixtures – provided Sabac lose to runaway leaders Savona in the later game.
If that scenario unfolds, Spandau would face Sabac in Berlin on the final day needing to win by more than three to progress, after Sabac won the Day 3 meeting between them 11-8.
20:00: VK Sabac Elixir (SRB) v RN Savona (ITA)
Regardless of the earlier result in this group, a single point against RN Savona would be enough for VK Sabac Elixir to guarantee a place in the top two.
“We’ve been working hard and preparing thoroughly for the match,” said Sabac’s Tanamura Katsuyuki. “Together with my teammates, we’ll stay united, give everything we have, and fight until the final whistle. We’re ready to go for the win!”
The Serbians will fancy their chances of securing at least a point in their home fortress, where they have yet to lose in this season’s Euro Cup.
Something has to give this week, though – either the Serbians’ perfect home record, or Savona’s 100% away record – so an epic battle awaits.
Day 2’s reverse fixture was won by Savona 17-12, meaning Sabac will need to better that result if they are to overtake the Italians at the top of the table.
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