🛒 Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! →
🤑 10% off on selected briefs & merch 🤑
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • DSV 98 Cup 2025
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • Summer Cup 2025
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpolo™ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
CHL 24/25
Support Us

Can Ferencvaros retain European crown?

December 14, 2020

The series of matches in the Champions League Group B starts on Tuesday. The first of three “bubble” tournaments will be held in Budapest, in the “Duna Arena”. This pool was a venue of this year’s European Championships and the Final Six in 2017.

Reigning European champion Ferencvaros is the home team and the favorite in this group. Besides the only Hungarian club in the 2020/21 Champions League, Brescia (Italy), Jadran Herceg Novi (Montenegro), Barceloneta (Spain), Waspo Hannover (Germany), and Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) are in this group.

There are only three available tickets for the Final Eight here because Hannover is already qualified for the F8 (June 3 – 5), as a technical host.

2020/21 Champions League, Group B

Two years ago, Ferencvaros returned to the Champions League after almost 20 years of absence. The Budapest-based side played in the 2000/01 Champions League and was eliminated in the 2004/2005 qualifications. Afterward, they couldn’t reach the CHL for years. And the return was great, it couldn’t be better.

Ferencvaros won the 2018/19 Champions League, although it arrived at the Final Eight in Hannover from 4th place in the group. Since then, there haven’t been a lot of changes on the roster. Only three of the players who won the European title in Hannover left the club in the past two years – Slobodan Nikic, Stefan Mitrovic (left in 2019), and Aaron Younger. Meanwhile, Ioannis Fountoulis, Gergo Zalanki, Nicolas Constantin Bicari, and two young players Vendel Vigvari and Gergo Fekete joined “Fradi.”

Ferencvaros, the 2019 European Champion Photo:LEN

Ferencvaros didn’t play in the CHL for years, but the club produced a magnificent series in the past few seasons. In the last three years, Ferencvaros has won ten consecutive trophies – two LEN Euro Cups (2017, 2018), two Hungarian championships (2018 and 2019), Champions League (2019), two LEN Super Cups (2018 and 2019), and three Hungarian Cups (2018, 2019, 2021). In this year’s Hungarian Cup they played without the 2019 Total Player Denes Varga and Gergo Zalanki. The injured players have recovered, and Ferencvaros is awaiting the Champions League with the best team. But, their last matches before the CHL doesn’t promise a lot. Ferencvaros suffered two consecutive losses in the Hungarian derbies(14:15 to Szolnok and 12:16 to OSC). Still, “Fradi “is the favorite for the first position in Group B and the new European crown. The Budapest-based club seeks its 11th and 12th trophy in a row (Hungarian League and Champions League), and won’t leave the throne easily.

The Hungarians’ strongest opponents will be Barceloneta and Brescia.

Barceloneta wasn’t very active in the 2020 transfer market. The Spanish champion kept most of its key players, and led by Felipe Perrone, starts the race for the European title. Barceloneta has missed just one Champions League final tournament since its debut in the semifinals in 2013 (they didn’t qualify in 2017).

Felipe Perrone Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

Unlike Ferencvaros and Barceloneta, Brescia did a great job regarding the transfers this summer. One of the most significant transfers in European water polo in 2020 was Maro Jokovic’s move from Olympiacos to Brescia. Besides Croatia’s left-handed goal-getter, several excellent players joined Brescia (Angelos Vlachopoulos, Vincenzo Renzuto, Djordje Lazic, etc). Last season, Brescia didn’t qualify for the Main Round. This season, the Italian club won 1st place in the qualification group in Budapest quite convincingly, playing without Jokovic. Honestly, they had only three matches in the qualifications. Still, Brescia is among the contenders for a high position in the 2021 Champions League.

Maro Jokovic (Brescia) Photo:anbrescia.it

Jadran‘s name often appeared in the articles about water polo transfers this summer. But, not because of the reinforcements. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic affected the Montenegrin champion and several excellent players left the club. Last week, Jadran suffered two defeats in the Montenegrin League. A new, young team of Jadran will have demanding tasks in CHL this season. It’s a great opportunity for young players to gain experience.

Jadran Herceg Novi

The German championship hasn’t started yet, and it won’t start before March, so the lack of official matches will be Waspo Hannover‘s handicap. But, the German champion is already qualified for the F8 as a host, and it will have enough time to get into shape. The experienced team, led by the Montenegrin and Croatian players, might surprise some of the favorites, as it did several times in the past seasons.

Dinamo Tbilisi debuted in the Champions League last season. Before the cancelation of the competition, the Georgian side was 8th in Group B, but Dinamo was able to make problems to the favorites; they even beat Marseille. Dinamo is far from the Final Eight, but it is eager for the challenges. Dinamo accepted the wild card last year, which means that it wants to grow as a team and a club.

Facts and statistics

Ferencvaros Telekom Budapest (Hungary)

Last five completed seasons: 2019: winner; 2015 – 2018 didn’t play in CHL.
2020 (after 9 rounds): 3rd in Group B – 20 pts (114:85)
Best results: Winner (2019), 4x winner of Cup winners’ Cup (1975, 1978, 1980, 1998), 2x Euro Cup winner (2017, 2018).

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Gergo Fekete (Debrecen), Vendel Vigvari (UVSE).
Departure: Aaron Younger.

Stars to watch: Denes Varga, Ioannis Fountoulis, Nikola Jaksic, Marton Vamos, Gergo Zalanki, Nicolas Constantin-Bicari, Soma Vogel (GK) Mark Kallay,etc.

Head coach: Zsolt Varga.

Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (Spain)

Last five completed seasons: 2019: 4th place; 2018: 3rd; 2017: group stage (4th in Gr. B); 2016: 5th place: 2015: 3rd place (host of F6, 4th place in the group)
2020 (after 10 rounds): 1st in Group A – 25pts (138:100)
Best results: Winner (2014), 3rd (2013, 2015, 2018)

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Joao Pedro Coimbra (Sant Andreu)
Departures: Miki Linares (retired), Roger Tahull, Pau Linares, Albert Ponferrada.

Stars to watch: Felipe Perrone, Milan Aleksic, Daniel Lopez (GK), Michael Bodegas, Alvaro Granados, Blai Mallarach, Aberto Munarriz, Miguel De Toro, etc.

Head coach: Jesus Martin.

Jadran Herceg Novi (Montenegro)

Last five completed seasons: 2019: eliminated in Qualification Round 3 (runner-up in the Euro Cup); 2018: group stage (5th in Gr. B); 2017: QR 3; 2016: group stage (6th in Gr.A); 2015: QR 2.
2020 (after 10 rounds): 4th in Group A – 13 pts (106:105)
Best results: runner-up (2004), Euro Cup runner‐up (2019).

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Jake Muscat (Valetta), Luka Murisic (Vojvodina).
Departures: Vladan Spaic , Vlado Popadic, Petar Mijuskovic, Marino Cagalj, FIlip Gardasevic.

Stars to watch: Marko Petkovic, Djuro Radovic, Konstantin Averka, Petar Tesanovic (GK), Dimitrije Obradovic, Jake Muscat, etc.

Head coach: Petar Radanovic.

Waspo 98 Hannover (Germany)

List five completed seasons – 2019: 8th place (host of F8, 6th in Group B), 2018: group stage (6th in Gr. A); 2017: group stage (6th in Gr. B); 2016: eliminated in Qualification Round 3; 2015: QR 2.
2020 (after 10 rounds): 7th in Group B – 6 pts (114:140)
Best results: 8th place (2019)

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Marko Macan (Jug AO), assistant coach Predrag Jokic.

Stars to watch: Aleksandar Radovic, Marko Macan, Petar Muslim, Julian Real, Ivan Nagaev, Moritz Schenkel (GK), Darko Brguljan, etc.
Head coach: Karsten Seehafer.

Marko Macan moved from Jug to Hannover

Dinamo Tblisi (Georgia)

Last five completed seasons: didn’t play
2020 (after 10 rounds): 8th in Group B – 3 pts (92:154)
Best result:-

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Dusan Vasic (Sabac), Jovan Saric (Telimar).
Departures: Damir Crepulja, Fabio Baraldi.

Stars to watch: Boris Vapenski, Marko Jelaca, Dusan Vasic, Jovan Saric, Andria Bitadze, Irakli Razmadze (GK), etc.

Head coach: Zurab Rurua.

AN Brescia (Italy)

Last five completed seasons – 2019: 6th place; 2018: 7th place; 2017: 5th place; 2016: eliminated in Qualification Round 3; 2015: group stage (6th place in Gr. A)
2020: eliminated in Qualification Round 3, semi-finalist in Euro Cup (won first leg 6:3 over Eger, before the season was canceled)
Best result: 5th place (2017), 4x Euro Cup/LEN Trophy winner (2002, 2003, 2006, 2016).

Transfers, summer 2020
Arrivals: Vincenzo Dolce (Sport Management), Angelos Vlachopoulos (Eger), Edoardo Di Somma (Pro Recco), Djordje Lazic (Szolnok), Maro Jokovic (Olympiacos),Niccolo Gitto (Metanopoli), Vincenczo Renzuto Iodice (Pro Recco).
Departures: Alessandro Nora, Nicolo Figari, Nicholas Presciutti, Antonio Buha, Zeno Bertoli.

Stars to watch: Maro Jokovic, Marco Del Luongo (GK), Angelos Vlachopoulos, Vincenzo Renzuto, Christian Presciutti, Edoardo Di Somma, Djordje Lazic, etc.

Head coach: Alessandro Bovo.

Schedule of „bubble“ tournament in Budapest

Day 1 (15 Dec)

14.00: Dinamo – Brescia (recent encounters: not met in CHL)
16.30: Jadran HN – Ferencvaros (Recent encounters: not met in CHL, 2017 Euro Cup semifinal: Jadran – FTC 12:11 and 4:6)
19.00: Hannover – Barceloneta (Recent encounters – 2017/18: Hannover – Barceloneta 7:13 and 12:13; 2017/17: 9:9 and 10:12)

Day 2 (Dec 16)

14.00 Barceloneta – Dinamo (Recent encounters: not met in CHL)
16.30 Ferencvaros – Brescia (Recent encounters – 2018/19: FTC – Brescia 8:8 and 5:10)
19.00: Jadran – Hannover (Recent encounters – 2016/17, Qualification Round 2: Jadran-Hannover 6:8)

Day 3 (Dec 17)
14.00: Dinamo – Jadran (Recent encounters: not met in CHL)
16.30: Hannover – FTC (Recent encounters – 2019/20: Hannover – FTC 12:15)
19.00: Brescia – Barceloneta (Recent encounters – 2018/19: Brescia-Barceloneta 8:8 and 14:8; 2017/18 – 7:5 and 6:5, 2014/15: 12:4 and 7:7)

Round 2, March 1 – 5, 2021 (host to be determined)

Day 4: Ferencvaros – Barceloneta, Jadran HN – Brescia, Hannover – Dinamo T.
Day 5: Dinamo T – Ferencvaros, Brescia – Hannover, Jadran HN – Barceloneta.
Day 6: Ferencvaros – Dinamo T, Hannover – Brescia, Barceloneta – Jadran HN
Day 7: Barceloneta – Ferencvaros, Brescia – Jadran HN, Dinamo T – Hannover

Round 3, April 20 – 23, 2021 (host TBD)

Day 8: Barceloneta – Brescia, Ferencvaros – Hannover, Jadran HN – Dinamo T.
Day 9: Brescia – Ferencvaros, Dinamo T – Barceloneta, Hannover – Jadran HN
Day 10: Ferencvaros – Jadran HN, Brescia – Dinamo T, Barceloneta – Hannover

More articles about the Champions League

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Rino Buric Photo: Orange Pictures

June 24, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Rino Buric to Pro Recco


Read more

Marco Del Lungo Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

June 22, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona


Read more

Gianmarco Nicosia Photo by Laszlo Balogh

June 20, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Gianmarco Nicosia to Pro Recco


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    [CONFIRMED] Rino Buric to Pro Recco
    June 24, 2025
  • Hungary wins tournament in Sicily ahead of Italy, Spain, and Greece
    June 23, 2025
  • [CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona
    June 22, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT