Novi Beograd recorded the most convincing win on the opening day of the Champions League Qualifications, while the most exciting game took place in Sabadell, where Vasas narrowly beat Spandau 04.
In Group A (Belgrade), Novi Beograd trashed Pays dβAix 23:10, and Primorac earned a solid 15:12 victory over Steaua.
The first match of the tournament in Sabadell (Group B) produced a lot of thrills and a few twists and turns. Vasas defeated Spandau 04 17:16.
Brescia beat Vouliagmeni 15:13 in the first match in Group C in Zagreb.
2025/26 Champions League Qualifications, Day 1
GROUP A (BELGRADE)
Novi Beograd β Pays dβAix 23:10 (6:3, 5:0, 6:4, 6:3)
Novi Beograd: Martinovic 7, Jankovic 3, Trtovic 3, Vujosevic 3, Dj.Radovic 2, Dimitrijevic 2, Gladovic 1, Cuk 1, Perkovic 1.
Pays d’Aix: Betielle 3, Bachelier 2, Yutmaz 2, Scorletti 1, Lena 1, Ogihara 1.
Novi Beograd was a favorite against Pays dβAix. However, the runner-up in the French League has a solid team. Therefore, nobody could expect that the duel would turn into a one-sided contest already in the first half.
Radnicki’s former captain Filip Jankovic made his debut for Novi Beograd scoring two goals Photo by VK Novi Beograd
Novi Beograd led throughout the match, but Pays dβAix kept up with the hosts for a while. Less than two minutes before the first break, Lena made it 3:4. In the following minutes, the Serbs dominated. They played excellently both in the attack and in the defense. Novi Beograd held Pays dβAix scoreless for almost 12 minutes, while producing a 10:0 rush. Early in the third period, the best player of the match, Vasilije Martinovic, made it 14:3. Ogihara ended the visitorsβ goalless phase shortly after. In the rest of the game, Novi Beograd maintained a big advantage.
Primorac – Steaua 15:12 (3:2, 7:4,2:2, 3:4)
Primorac: Inaba 3, Mrsic 3, Cetkovic 2, Murisic 2, Vidovic 2, Vuckovic 2, Brkic 1.
Steaua: Vucinic 4, Colodrovschi 3, Georgescu 2, Fenech 2, Neamtu 1.
Stefan Vidovic (Primorac) Photo by VK Novi Beograd
Steaua put up a strong resistance against Primorac but couldn’t manage to surprise the Kotor-based team. The Romanians took the lead only once, as Georgescu made it 2:1 deep into the third quarter. Following that goal, Primorac found its rhythm and produced a 4:0 run to take a 5:2 lead. Steaua was able to narrow the gap to two goals on two occasions, bringing the score to 3:5 and then 4:6. However, Primorac controlled the pace during a high-scoring second period. In the 15th minute, Vuckovic scored on a counter-attack, making it 9:4. From that point on, the difference never shrank to less than four goals until the final minute, when Neamtu set the final score.
September 20: Primorac – Pays d’Aix (17.30), Novi Beograd – Steaua (19.30)
GROUP B (SABADELL)
Spandau 04 β Vasas 16:17 (3:6, 4:3, 5:2, 4:6)
Spandau 04: M.Nagy 5, Mar. Tkac 4, Caraj 4, Andruszkiewicz 1, Hofmann 1, Chiru 1.
Vasas: Gyarfas 5, Lakatos 4, Batori 3, Foskolos 2, Selley-Rauscher 1, Dala 1, Djurdjic 1.
Vasas quickly established a 4:1 lead, making it seem like the Hungarians would secure an easy three points. However, the Berlin-based team demonstrated their ability to compete against top opponents by leveling the score at 6:6. Benjamin Lakatos responded with two quick goals, putting Vasas back in front at 8:6. The Hungarians maintained a two-goal advantage as both teams exchanged goals until the score reached 11:9. Then, Spandau showcased their best performance, scoring three unanswered goals in the final three and a half minutes of the third period to take a 12:11 lead into the final quarter.
Bence Batori Photo by VΓctor Castillo
Vasas ended its 6-minute scoring silence with two goals at the beginning of the fourth period to turn around a 11:12 deficit to a 13:12 advantage. In the rest of the match, there were a lot of exclusions and a lot of goals. Spandau persistently chased Vasas, leveling at 13:13, 14:14, 15:15, and 16:16. With 01:19 minutes remaining, Tamas Gyarfas finished a quick 6 on 5 attack to give Vasas a 17:16 advantage from a close-range shot. Spandau had two possesionss to equalize, but Vasas saved all three points. In the dying seconds, the Berliners forced another man-up, but Vasasβ goalkeeper Mizei blocked a shot from Matej Caraj.
September 20: Sabadell – Spandau 04 (13.00)
GROUP C (ZAGREB)
Vouliagmeni β Brescia 13:15 (4:6, 0:4, 4:1, 5:4)
Vouliagmeni: Troulos 4, Chatzis 3, Te Riele 2, Angelopoulos 2, Ubovic 1, Spachits 1.
Brescia: Gianazza 4, Dolce 3, Balzarini 2, Del Basso 2, Guerrato 1, Popadic 1, Alesiani 1, Viskovic 1.
Both Vouliagmeni and Brescia are young teams, but the Italians possess a bit more experience, which made a significant difference in the match. Brescia built a substantial lead in the first half. While Vouliagmeni managed to find its rhythm after the halftime break, Brescia did not allow the Greeks to make a comeback.
Photo by Toni Franic/HAVK Mladost
Brescia controlled the pace from the beginning. Vouliagmeni equalized twice during the first period, at 2:2 and 3:3. After the second equalizer, a crucial phase of the game began. Between the 7th and 17th minutes, Brescia went on a 7:1 run, jumping to an 11:4 lead. Vouliagmeni refused to give up and started to rally. Although Brescia did not dominate the game in the second half, the Italians maintained control of the score. Vouliagmeni continued to close the gap, but it was never enough to threaten Bresciaβs victory. Chatzis scored from a penalty with 67 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 13:15, but it was too late for a complete comeback.
With this win, Brescia may have secured a crucial step towards reaching the Champions League. Vouliagmeni will aim to surprise Mladost tomorrow to keep its hopes alive.
September 20: Mladost β Vouliagmeni (19.00)
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