Champions League Men: CNAB’s clash with NBG headlines round two of quarterfinal stage

Both groups feature the same fixtures – the first-round winners face off in one game and the two losers in the other. The highlight is definitely the rematch of last season’s semifinal between Barceloneta and Novi Beograd on Tuesday.

2025/26 Champions League Men
Quarterfinals Stage, Day 2
(Local times shown)

Group A
(Tuesday 24 March)

19.30: Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v AN Brescia (ITA)
20:30: Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija (SRB)

Group B
(Wednesday 25 March)

20.30: Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)
20.30: Pro Recco (ITA) v Mladost Zagreb (CRO)

Group A
(Tuesday 24 March)

19.30: Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v AN Brescia (ITA)

Head-to-head: 7-4 (1d)

2023-24: 17-12, 13-12. 2021-22: 5-8, 7-8. 2018-19: 8-7 (quarterfinal). 2017-18: 13-6, 7-6. 2016-17: 8-4, 10-13, 5-8 ( 5-6th places). 2014-15: 9-9, 8-6.

The two losing sides of the first round face off in Day 2’s opener in Piraeus. A second defeat would seriously weaken the chances of advancing for either team, so this is going to be a really tense battle with high stakes.

Olympiacos are the favourites at home, and their star-studded line-up should deliver a home win against Brescia.

However, the Italians, who are composed, hard-fighting and disciplined, may play with a nothing-to-lose mentality which already made a big impact last December when they managed to upset title-holders FTC.

Group A
(Tuesday 24 March)

20.30: Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija (SRB)

Head-to-head: 0-3 (1d)

2024-25: 10-10, pen: 4-5 (semi-final). 2022-23: 8-8, pen: 2-4 (semi-final). 2021-22: 12-12, 9-11

Pulling off fine wins in the opening round gave some breathing space in the cruel world of the Quarterfinal Stage, which barely leaves any margin of error for those whose target is to qualify to the Final Four.

Barceloneta have been playing quite convincingly ever since they fell to Marseille at home in the Group Stage – they usually overcome any ‘in-game’ hardships and come out on top at the end.

But not when they have clashed with Novi Beograd, as the Serbs are probably the only team among their recent rivals whom they could never beat. Their common history includes two painful semi-final defeats, both in shootouts.

At the same time, it is also true that apart from their first encounter, Novi Beograd could not beat them in regular time – so this duel promises plenty of excitement for sure.

The goalies may have an impact on the outcome as both Unai Aguirre and Milan Glusac came up with recent outstanding performances both in club matches and in their respective national teams – and here just a couple of key saves may prove to be decisive.

Group B
(Wednesday 25 March)

20.30: Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)

Head-to-head: 0-3

2020-21: 6-19, 9-13. 2019-2020: 12-15

Title-holders Ferencvaros are in a new situation – after losing badly to Recco at home, they are already under pressure, which has barely happened to them in the last two years.

Their Champions League defeats, indeed, the only one inside a season, usually came on Day 4, when they already bagged three victories. Now they are approaching a tricky away game in Hannover where they are still the overwhelming favourites, but Marseille and Sabadell also travelled to Hannover to collect three points in must-win matches, only to leave Waspo’s pool empty-handed.

Still, Fradi have some good memories of this venue, as they lifted their first Champions League trophy there in 2019, and since Recco sank them, Fradi showed some signs of life in the domestic league, had a joint training camp with CNAB and are ready to further heal the wounds – though they are facing a real challenge, back-to-back away matches in a week. Still, this should be easier than their next game – a visit to Zagreb.

Group B
(Wednesday 25 March)

20.30: Pro Recco (ITA) v Mladost Zagreb (CRO)

Head-to-head: 5-0 (1d)

2019-20: 11-11. 2014-15: 13-9, 9-5. 2013-2014: 16-2 (qualifications). 2010-11: 11-8, 9-5.

Euro Cup, 2024-25: 16-13, 7-4

Recco are already very much reminiscent of their heyday, with one big difference – this time their line-up doesn’t feature all the greatest stars, rather a carefully selected mix of fine warriors and a couple of big boys like Alvaro Granados and Francesco di Fulvio.

And ever since they lost the Super Cup final to FTC in October, they are on a winning streak, sweeping all opposition away with powerful performances, rock-solid defending and clinical finishing in attack.

After trouncing Fradi in Budapest, it’s hard to see Mladost halting their great run, especially in Italy – though the Croats are also getting stronger and stronger and have the quality to cause some headaches even for Recco.

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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

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