Donk and Zaibas set for Challenger Cup final clash
GZC Donk’s seven-game unbeaten run in the men’s Challenger Cup came to an end in the first-leg of the final in Lithuania, as EVK Zaibas edged a close battle 13-11. Georgian international Marko Jelaca inflicted most of the damage, firing in seven goals for the hosts, but the Dutch side kept fighting until the last buzzer and never allowed Zaibas to get out of sight ahead of this weekend’s decisive second-leg in Gouda.
2024/25 Challenger Cup Men
Final Second-Leg
Saturday, 26th April 2025
(Local time shown)
14:00: GZC Donk (NED) v EVK Zaibas (LTU)
(First-leg: 11-13)
EVK Zaibas will arrive in the Netherlands with a two-goal advantage, but with four quarters remaining, the Lithuanians are fully aware it’s a slender lead and they still have plenty of work to do if they are to lift this season’s Challenger Cup trophy.
‘We know we face a tough visit to Gouda,’ Zaibas head coach Blagoje Ivovic told European Aquatics. ‘We’re not going there with the intention of defending a two-goal advantage, as we want to play like it’s the first game.
‘We know the Donk team will be aggressive at the beginning of the game. It’s up to us to stay strong physically and mentally, and play the game as if we don’t have a lead.’
With a massive nationwide Dutch party planned for Saturday to celebrate Koningsdag (King’s Day), the visitors are also aiming to dampen the celebrations in Gouda by finishing off the job they started in Vilnius two weeks’ ago.
The opening clash was an entertaining end-to-end encounter, with Zaibas ultimately taking the upper hand, thanks largely to Marko Jelaca’s magnificent seven-goal haul.
The Georgian international’s fireworks from the perimeter were a sight to behold, as he left Donk goalkeeper Bognar Bendeguz grasping at thin air time and time again.
‘We’ve taken the first step, but the final is never won in one game,’ stated Jelaca. ‘Now, we go into their swimming pool with respect, focus and the will to give everything we have – together as a team. With one goal – bring the trophy home.’
After Donk’s bright start to the first clash, which saw them edge 2-3 ahead, the hosts hit back early in the second quarter and were 4-3 up after just 86 seconds.
From there, Zaibas gradually took control and never surrendered their lead, but the Dutch side refused to lie down and dug deep to stay firmly in contention.
Donk were never more than three goals behind, and two late strikes from Jorn Winkelhorst even cut the gap to one (12-11) with 1:49 remaining, but it was the clinical Jelaca who – perhaps fittingly – had the final say of the night.
He capped a brilliant individual performance by rifling in his seventh of the game with 1:29 on the clock, to finish the scoring and ensure his team start the decisive second-leg with a narrow lead.
However, this week’s hosts – who will be backed by a large home crowd – are confident of overturning the deficit, and it’s clear their squad is more than equipped with the attacking talent to do so.
Winkelhorst and Guus van Ijperen both scored hat-tricks in Lithuania, while Jesse Nispeling and Jorrit van der Weijden each struck twice.
Both sets of players are also on the verge of a historic victory for their nation, as no men’s team from the Netherlands or Lithuania has ever lifted a major European water polo trophy.
‘Playing a European final with the club you grew up with, in your home pool in Gouda – it doesn’t get any better than this!’ said Donk’s Stan van den Heuvel, while his brother Quint added, ‘From childhood, you dream of being able to play a match like this with your own club.
‘To then be able to do this together with your brother and your friends, that makes it extra special.’
The men’s Challenger Cup water polo final second-leg will be played on Saturday 26th April – and you can watch all the action live on www.euroaquaticstv.com and stay up-to-date with the full fixtures, live results/tables and real-time updates through the European Aquatics App. Download it here: Google Play.
Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
The post Donk and Zaibas set for Challenger Cup final clash first appeared on European Aquatics®.