Challenger Cup Men: Four teams secure qualification after dramatic second day of action

Sliema ASC, Carouge Natation, AVK Branik Maribor and Enka Sport Club all booked their tickets to the next phase after securing their second straight wins in the men’s Challenger Cup Qualification Round I. Saturday’s results also set up some intriguing concluding clashes for Sunday.

2025/26 Challenger Cup Men
Qualification Round I, Day 1
Friday 28 November

Group A (Malta)

Hapoel Palram Zvulun (ISR) 17-12 Apoel Nicosia (CYP)
San Giljan ASC (MLT) 13-19 Sliema ASC (MLT)

Group B (Maribor)

Clube Naval Povoense (POR) 11-18 Carouge Natation (SUI)
AVK Branik Maribor (SLO) 17-12 VK Ljubljana Slovan (SLO)

Group C (Istanbul)

Enka Sport Club (TUR) 31-10 Welsh Wanderers (GBR)

Group D (Mouscron)

Cetus Espoo (FIN) 12-9 West London Penguin (GBR)

Group A (Malta)

Hapoel Palram Zvulun (ISR) 17-12 Apoel Nicosia (CYP)
San Giljan ASC (MLT) 13-19 Sliema ASC (MLT)

A dominant first half (12-3) set Hapoel Palram Zvulun on course for a comfortable victory against Apoel Nicosia.

The result earned the Israelis their first points of the weekend, but they still face an uphill task to break into the top two in this group.

Hungarian legend Denes Varga tried his best to keep Apoel in the contest, scoring seven, but he wasn’t able to halt Hapoel by himself.

After the first quarter ended 6-3, Hapoel’s defence shut the Cypriots out for the next 10 minutes, while their attack fired in seven to open up an unassailable 13-3 lead early in the third.

There was no way back for Apoel, despite Varga’s heroics, and although the deficit was reduced to five by the final buzzer, the outcome was never in doubt.

Israel international Ronen Gros was the standout performer for Hapoel, scoring five, but the spectators will remember Varga’s vintage display more, as the 2008 Olympic champion rolled back the years.

Later, in the Malta derby, Sliema picked up from where they left off on Friday night by establishing a substantial first-half lead against domestic rivals San Giljan ASC.

An explosive start saw Sliema surge 7–12 ahead, and from there they kept their rivals at arm’s length until the final buzzer.

Sam Engerer was the danger man for Sliema, top-scoring with six goals, and was ably supported by Jake Cachia, who scored three.

A second straight victory for Sliema ensured them a place in the top two in Group A and a spot in the next phase.

Group B (Maribor)

Clube Naval Povoense (POR) 11-18 Carouge Natation (SUI)
AVK Branik Maribor (SLO) 17-12 VK Ljubljana Slovan (SLO)

Carouge Natation’s Hugo Roscio continued his fine form, scoring six goals against Clube Naval Povoense to take his weekend tally to 10, following his four-goal haul on day one against VK Ljubljana Slovan.

There was no repeat of Friday’s slow start, as the Swiss side took control from the outset this time, opening up a 1-3 lead in the first quarter and stretching their advantage to 3-8 by half-time.

The gap remained at five at the end of the third (7-12), and they added further gloss to the scoreline in the final period.

At the time, the result wasn’t enough to guarantee them a place in the next round, but Maribor’s later victory over Ljubljana Slovan means they can now begin planning for Qualification Round II (13–15 February 2026).

After racing to an 8-3 lead early in the second quarter, Maribor almost let all their hard work slip, as Ljubljana Slovan mounted a determined fightback to level twice in the third period (at 9-9 and 10-10).

It was a heroic effort by Ljubljana Slovan, and at 12-11 down heading into the fourth, they still fancied their chances of completing a remarkable turnaround.

But Anez Hadzic and Aljaz Troppan struck first in the final quarter to stretch Maribor’s lead to 14-11, and Ljubljana Slovan weren’t able to claw their way back again – ending their hopes of qualification.

Group C (Istanbul)

Enka Sport Club (TUR) 31-10 Welsh Wanderers (GBR)

Türkiye international Ege Kahraman helped orchestrate an emphatic 31-10 victory for Enka Sport Club against Welsh Wanderers, who were left chasing shadows for most of this clash.

The hosts scored from virtually every possession as they cruised to a powerful win that also secured them a place in the next round.

It was a 41-goal feast for the spectators, and despite the heavy loss, Welsh Wanderers did leave the pool with some positives – scoring double digits in Istanbul will no doubt have pleased coach Nigel Davies, while captain Joe Jenkins-Delf and Daniel Laxton both hit hat-tricks.

There was no stopping Enka, though, with Kahraman leading the way with seven goals, and Arda Yener, Nesfet Ozbek, and Greek 2020 Olympic silver medallist Georgios Dervisis all hammering in four each.

Welsh Wanderers remain in the hunt for the second qualification spot and will face Heybeliada ASC on Sunday in a winner-takes-all contest.

Group D (Mouscron)

Cetus Espoo (FIN) 12-9 West London Penguin (GBR)

West London Penguin entered the action on Day 2 and immediately rattled Cetus Espoo – who were maybe still feeling the effects of their epic encounter with hosts RD Mouscronnois on Day 1.

The Brits did find themselves 2-0 down inside two minutes, but by the end of the first quarter they were ahead 3-4, and they extended their advantage to three (4-7) by half-time.

It was a sensational start by the Londoners, whose gameplan was working brilliantly, and they also kept Cetus danger man Uros Vasic – who scored seven on Friday night – quiet in the opening two quarters.

Vasic came to life in the third, though, hitting the first two goals of the quarter to make it 6-7, then Juho Ryhanen equalised with 1:21 on the clock.

Penguin’s attack had lost its earlier rhythm and they squandered two six-on-fives and remained scoreless heading into the fourth period, still level at 7-7.

James Salt converted a penalty to edge the Brits back ahead, but two goals inside 32 seconds – from Sandor Barany and David Lapins – put Cetus in front for the first time since the first quarter.

Penguin’s Nicholas Hughes levelled at 9-9 with 4:50 still left to play, yet that proved to be the Londoners’ last attack of note.

Cetus – who restricted their opponents to just two goals in the entire second half – appeared to have more left in the tank, and were able to produce a much stronger finish by scoring three without reply to take the valuable three points.

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics

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