Conference Cup Men: Opening night delivers plenty of goals and action
The opening night of the men’s Conference Cup Qualification Round I was full of goals on Friday, especially in Split, where Sete Natation hit 43 past VK Banja Luka, while hosts VK Mornar Split hammered in 24 against Vitoria Sport Clube. Elsewhere, there was a dramatic shootout victory for CN Tenerife Echeyde, who were forced to dig deep to avoid defeat to PVK Budvanska Rivijera, and CN Posillipo held firm to take all the points from their clash with AC PAOK.
2025/26 Conference Cup Men
Qualification Round I, Day 1
Friday 7 November 2025
(Local times shown)
Group A
(Utrecht, NED)
UZSC Utrecht (NED) 10-24 Endo Plus Service Honved (HUN)
AC PAOK (GRE) 12-15 CN Posillipo (ITA)
Group B
(Nea Smyrni, GRE)
CN Tenerife Echeyde (ESP) 16-16 (3-2P) PVK Budva Budvanska Rivijera (MNE)
Panionios GSS (GRE) 19-10 White Sharks Hannover (GER)
Group C
(Split, CRO)
VK Banja Luka (BIH) 4-43 Sete Natation (FRA)
VK Mornar Split (CRO) 24-11 Vitoria Sport Clube (POR)
Group D
(Belgrade, SRB)
VK Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 21-8 SG Neukolln Berlin (GER)
De Akker Team (ITA) 21-13 EVK Zaibas (LTU)
Group E
(Rijeka, CRO)
Solartradex CN Mataro (ESP) 22-16 Galatasary SK (TUR)
Group A (Utrecht, NED)
UZSC Utrecht (NED) 10-24 Endo Plus Service Honved (HUN)
AC PAOK (GRE) 12-15 CN Posillipo (ITA)
Endo Plus Service Honved proved far too strong for hosts UZSC Utrecht in their opening clash of the weekend, leading from start to finish in a game they comfortably controlled.
The Dutch side just about kept pace until six minutes into the second period at 4-7, but after that the Hungarians showed their full power, hitting six without reply to open up an unassailable 4-13 lead early in the third.
From there, the gap just kept growing, as Utrecht were unable to halt the tide. In the end, Honved stopped at 24 and were worthy winners.
Group A’s second clash was an intense battle between AC PAOK and CN Posillipo, which saw the Italians ultimately emerge on top.
Posillipo got off to the brighter start, edging the opening exchanges to move 5-3 ahead at the first break.
Although the Greeks cut the gap to one twice (6-7 at the end of the second, and 7-8 at the start of the third), they were never able to level.
By the end of the third, Posillipo were starting to pull away at 9-13, and despite PAOK reducing the deficit to two late in the fourth (11-13), the former European champions held on for all three points.
Group B (Nea Smyrni, GRE)
CN Tenerife Echeyde (ESP) 16-16 (3-2P) PVK Budva Budvanska Rivijera (MNE)
Panionios GSS (GRE) 19-10 White Sharks Hannover (GER)
Penalties were needed to separate CN Tenerife Echeyde and PVK Budva Budvanska Rivijera after an end-to-end 16-16 draw. Tenerife’s Iker González forced the shootout with a late equaliser just 28 seconds from time.
The Spaniards flew out of the blocks, racing to a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter, but Budva kept battling, and a 0-4 surge that began late in the second turned the game on its head to put them 10-13 up early in the third.
Tenerife refused to fold, though, and fought back to level at 14-14 with just over two minutes left in the fourth, then edged ahead again at 15-14 with 1:25 remaining.
But the Montenegrins responded brilliantly with two quick strikes, the second from the outstanding Marko Milic – who finished the night with nine goals – before Gonzalez converted from a man-up to send the game to penalties.
In the shootout, Tenerife keeper Hector Martinez was the hero, saving Budva’s final two attempts to clinch a hard-fought two points – despite Luis Araya, who had scored seven during the match, seeing his penalty saved.
Group B’s second game didn’t match the excitement of the first, as hosts Panionios sank White Sharks Hannover, who were forced to chase the game from the opening minute.
The Greeks led 4-1 at the first break and 9-4 by half-time, with the young Germans struggling to trouble their opponents throughout. Still, Hannover will take some comfort from at least reaching double figures despite the defeat.
Spytholeon Karatzas, Andreas Bitsakos and Alexandros Gounas were the top scorers for Panionios, hitting four goals each.
Group C (Split, CRO)
VK Banja Luka (BIH) 4-43 Sete Natation (FRA)
VK Mornar Split (CRO) 24-11 Vitoria Sport Clube (POR)
VK Banja Luka’s meeting with Sete Natation was a total mismatch from the opening buzzer. The French side exploded into a 0-10 first-quarter lead before Banja Luka finally broke through early in the second – one of their few highlights on a night when they were completely outclassed.
Sete showed no mercy, piling on 33 more goals in a relentless display of dominance. Captain Tristan Lopinot and Tom Sauton led the charge with six apiece, while seven of their teammates scored at least three as they cruised to a comprehensive win.
The second game in Split ended in a commanding victory for the hosts, as VK Mornar Split dominated their clash with Vitoria Sport Clube, winning all four quarters.
Mornar blasted in nine goals in the opening quarter, including a 6-0 surge after a 2-2 start to take full control, and they never allowed their opponents within touching distance.
At half-time, the Croatians led 14-7 and extended their advantage to 19-8 by the penultimate break, as the Portuguese outfit were unable to find a way back.
In the end, Mornar won by a 13-goal margin, with Robert Stojanac causing most of the damage, as he ended the night with a magnificent seven-goal haul.
Group D (Belgrade, SRB)
VK Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 21-8 SG Neukolln Berlin (GER)
De Akker Team (ITA) 21-13 EVK Zaibas (LTU)
Group D’s opener went the way of the hosts as Partizan swept aside SG Neukolln Berlin with a dominant display.
The Germans were just a goal behind at 5-4 early in the second, but Partizan’s defence slammed the door shut, keeping them scoreless for the next 12 minutes, while firing in seven at the other end to take a commanding 12-4 lead midway through the third.
The Belgrade side never let up, maintaining their intensity to finish 13 goals clear after a masterful performance, but it’s clear bigger challenges lie ahead.
Later, De Akker Team overpowered last season’s Challenger Cup runners-up EVK Zaibas to open their campaign with a well-deserved victory.
Eduardo Campopiano was exceptional for the Italians, registering six goals and two assists, with his speed and skill causing the Lithuanians’ defence problems all night.
De Akker were in charge from the first break, leading 3-1, and never gave their opponents a second’s peace on the ball, ripping through them with some exceptional play.
At half-time they were 11-4 ahead, and the result was beyond doubt at 17-8 going into the final eight minutes.
Group E (Rijeka, CRO)
Solartradex CN Mataro (ESP) 22-16 Galatasary SK (TUR)
There were plenty of fireworks in the opening quarter of Group E’s entertaining encounter, as both sides hammered in seven goals apiece during a relentless first eight minutes.
It was a breathless start, and the action didn’t subside over the next two quarters. After Mataro edged 12-10 ahead at half-time, Galatasaray roared back to level three times in the third (at 12-12, 13-13 and 15-15).
The Spaniards managed to maintain their intensity levels to the end, while Galatasaray faded after their final equaliser. Mataro took full advantage, firing in seven without reply to open up a 22-15 lead late in the fourth and seal the points.
World U20 champion Oier Aguirre – younger brother of Spain’s star goalkeeper Unai – was the standout performer for Mataro, top scoring with seven goals, including one penalty.
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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics
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