2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League

For the equivalent women's tournament, see 2024–25 European Aquatics Women's Champions League.
European Aquatics Champions League
2024–25
Tournament information
SportWater polo
DatesQualification round:
12–15 September 2024
Main Round:
8 October – 4 December 2024
Quarter-finals round:
4 February – 14 May 2025
Final Four:
30 May 2025–1 June 2025
TeamsCompetition proper: 16
Total: 30 (from 13 countries)
WebsiteOfficial website
Final positions
Champions FTC-Telekom (3rd title)
Runner-up Novi Beograd
Tournament statistics
Matches played108
Goals scored2,619 (24.25 per match)

The 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League is the 62nd edition of the newly renamed European Aquatics's premier competition for men's water polo clubs. FTC-Telekom are the defending champions.

FTC-Telekom won their third title with a win over Novi Beograd in the final.[1]

Format

After one qualification round, sixteen teams will qualify for the group stage. Four groups of four will be played., with the top two in each group will make the quarter-finals round (also a group stage). The team that finish third and fourth will compete in the 2024–25 European Aquatics Euro Cup knockout stage. The remaining eight teams in the quarter-finals round will play a further six matches, with the top two in each group making the Final Four.[2][3]

Rankings

The top 11 best ranked countries in the new rankings are allowed to have their national champion go directly into the main round, as long as they meet requirements.[4]

Teams

Alongside the 11 domestic champions, the defending champions also get a spot in the main round. In the event that the Champions League defending champions won their national league, the runners-up of the national league will take the vacant spot. In this season, as FTC-Telekom are the reigning champions, Hungary's spot was given to the Hungarian runners-up, A-Híd Vasas Plaket. After the abrupt withdrawal of the Italian champions, Pro Recco, due to financial reasons,[5][6] RN Savona, who placed second, takes their place in the Main round.[7] Also, despite finishing fourth, CC Ortigia took Italy's third spot in the tournament.[8] Croatia also saw a team withdrawing with Primorje EB Rijeka, who placed third, giving up their spot. The replacement was HAVK Mladost Zagreb, who finished fourth.[9]

Main round
Jadran Split (1st) CN Marseille (1st) Dinamo Tbilisi (1st) Waspo'98 Hannover (1st)
Olympiacos Piraeus (1st) FTC-Telekom CL (1st) A-Híd Vasas Plaket (2nd) RN Savona (2nd)
Primorac Kotor (1st) Steaua București (1st) Novi Beograd (1st) Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta (1st)
Qualification round
VK Banja Luka (1st) Jug AO Dubrovnik (2nd) HAVK Mladost Zagreb (4th) Pays d'Aix Natation (3rd)
Spandau 04 (2nd) NC Vouliagmeni (2nd) AC PAOK (3rd) BVSC-Zugló (3rd)
AN Brescia (3rd) CC Ortigia (4th) Jadran Herceg Novi (2nd) CSM Oradea (2nd)
Dinamo București (3rd) Radnički Kragujevac (2nd) VK Šabac (3rd) Astrapool Sabadell (2nd)
CN Barcelona (3rd) Enka Istanbul (1st)

Round and draw dates

Schedule

Phase Round Round date
Qualification round 12–15 September 2024
Main round Matchday 1 8–9 October 2024
Matchday 2 15–16 October 2024
Matchday 3 29–30 October 2024
Matchday 4 12–13 November 2024
Matchday 5 19–20 November 2024
Matchday 6 3–4 December 2024
Quarter-finals round Matchday 1 4–5 February 2025
Matchday 2 25–26 February 2025
Matchday 3 18–19 March 2025
Matchday 4 1–2 April 2025
Matchday 5 22–23 April 2025
Matchday 6 13–14 May 2025
Final Four Semifinals 30 May 2025
Final 1 June 2025

Qualification round

Main article: 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League qualification round

The group winners qualify for the main round, while everyone else drops down to the Euro Cup qualifiers.

Draw

The draw was on 13 August 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia.[10] H indicates which clubs is hosting a group. Teams in bold advanced to the main round.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4

AN Brescia
Jug AO Dubrovnik (H)
NC Vouliagmeni
Astrapool Sabadell (H)

Spandau 04
CC Ortigia
CN Barcelona
Radnički Kragujevac (H)

VK Šabac
Jadran Herceg Novi
CSM Oradea (H)
HAVK Mladost Zagreb
BVSC-Zugló

Enka Istanbul
Pays d'Aix Natation
VK Banja Luka
Dinamo București
AC PAOK

Group A

12–15 September 2024, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification JAD JUG BAR DIN BAN
1 Jadran Herceg Novi 4 4 0 0 0 78 33 +45 12 Main round — — 14–10 15–8 35–3
2 Jug AO Dubrovnik (H) 4 3 0 0 1 65 32 +33 9 12–14 — 14–9 15–8 24–1
3 CN Barcelona 4 2 0 0 2 70 44 +26 6 — — — 18–12 33–4
4 Dinamo București 4 1 0 0 3 58 55 +3 3 — — — — —
5 VK Banja Luka 4 0 0 0 4 15 122 −107 0 — — — 7–30 —
Source: European Aquatics
(H) Host

Group B

13–15 September 2024, Kragujevac, Serbia

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RAD ZUG MLA VOU
1 Radnički Kragujevac (H) 3 3 0 0 0 33 30 +3 9 Main round — 10–9 9–8 14–13
2 BVSC-Zugló 3 2 0 0 1 40 32 +8 6 — — — 17–9
3 HAVK Mladost Zagreb 3 1 0 0 2 32 29 +3 3 — 13–14 — —
4 NC Vouliagmeni 3 0 0 0 3 28 42 −14 0 — — 6–11 —
Source: European Aquatics
(H) Host

Group C

12–15 September 2024, Oradea, Romania

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ORA SPA BRE PAOK ENK
1 CSM Oradea (H) 4 3 1 0 0 53 36 +17 11 Main round — 8–7 14–13[a] — —
2 Spandau 04 4 3 0 0 1 43 36 +7 9 — — — 12–10 15–11
3 AN Brescia 4 2 0 1 1 51 36 +15 7 — 7–9 — 15–4 —
4 AC PAOK 4 1 0 0 3 33 48 −15 3 8–11 — — — 11–10
5 Enka Istanbul 4 0 0 0 4 38 62 −24 0 8–20 — 9–16 — —
Source: European Aquatics
(H) Host
  1. ^ Match ended 7–7, CSM Oradea won 7–6 on penalties.

Group D

13–15 September 2024, Sabadell, Spain

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AST SAB ORT PAY
1 Astrapool Sabadell (H) 3 3 0 0 0 48 25 +23 9 Main round — 14–9 17–11 17–5
2 VK Šabac 3 2 0 0 1 39 35 +4 6 — — 14–13 —
3 CC Ortigia 3 1 0 0 2 39 43 −4 3 — — — 15–12
4 Pays d'Aix Natation 3 0 0 0 3 25 48 −23 0 — 8–16 — —
Source: European Aquatics
(H) Host

Main round

Main article: 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League main round
Location of teams of the 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League group stage.
Red: Group A; Blue: Group B; Yellow: Group C; Green: Group D

The top two from each group make the quarter-finals round. The bottom two from each group drops down to the Euro Cup eighth-finals.

Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 2 points for a penalty shootout win, 1 point for a penalty shootout loss, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings:

  • Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goal difference in all group matches;
  • Goals scored in all group matches.

This season, 11 of the 16 clubs from last season are present. RN Savona return to the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. For the first time since 2010–11, Primorac Kotor will participate. After 13 years away, A-Híd Vasas Plaket qualified. Waspo'98 Hannover comes back after a one season absence. Of the teams who progressed from qualification, Radnički Kragujevac and CSM Oradea return after being absent for three and eleven years respectively.

For the first time ever, Romania will be represented by two clubs in the group stage, while Montenegro will boast two clubs in the group stage for the first time since 2011–12. Overall, a total of 11 countries are present in the group stage.

Group A

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NOV ORA STE HAN
1 Novi Beograd 6 6 0 0 0 75 51 +24 18 Advance to Quarter-finals — 12–10 11–7 10–8
2 CSM Oradea 6 2 2 0 2 79 83 −4 10 9–15 — 19–18[a] 10–9
3 Steaua București 6 1 1 2 2 77 86 −9 7 Transfer to Euro Cup 8–15 19–20[b] — 13–12[c]
4 Waspo'98 Hannover 6 0 0 1 5 57 68 −11 1 9–12 10–11 9–12 —
Source: European Aquatics
  1. ^ Match ended 11–11, CSM Oradea won 8–7 on penalties
  2. ^ Match ended 13–13, CSM Oradea won 7–6 on penalties
  3. ^ Match ended 8–8, Steaua București won 5–4 on penalties

Group B

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification FTC JAD RAD DIN
1 FTC-Telekom 6 6 0 0 0 92 42 +50 18 Advance to Quarter-finals — 18–9 16–4 16–7
2 Jadran Split 6 3 1 0 2 76 69 +7 11 10–12 — 15–13[a] 12–5
3 Radnički Kragujevac 6 2 0 1 3 51 72 −21 7 Transfer to Euro Cup 5–12 11–14 — 8–6
4 Dinamo Tbilisi 6 0 0 0 6 44 80 −36 0 7–18 10–16 9–10 —
Source: European Aquatics
  1. ^ Match ended 10–10, Jadran Split won 5–3 on penalties

Group C

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification BAR MAR JAD VAS
1 Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta 6 6 0 0 0 100 56 +44 18 Advance to Quarter-finals — 19–14 18–7 18–7
2 CN Marseille 6 3 0 0 3 69 67 +2 9 9–12 — 13–11 13–9
3 Jadran Herceg Novi 6 2 0 0 4 61 73 −12 6 Transfer to Euro Cup 8–16 3–9 — 17–9
4 A-Híd Vasas Plaket 6 1 0 0 5 54 88 −34 3 10–15 13–11 6–14 —
Source: European Aquatics

Group D

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification OLY SAV AST KOT
1 Olympiacos Piraeus 6 3 2 0 1 91 68 +23 13 Advance to Quarter-finals — 9–10 15–11 20–19[a]
2 RN Savona 6 3 1 1 1 74 69 +5 12 11–14[b] — 10–12 11–9
3 Astrapool Sabadell 6 1 1 1 3 75 84 −9 6 Transfer to Euro Cup 8–15 13–14[c] — 15–16
4 Primorac Kotor 6 1 0 2 3 79 98 −19 5 9–18 12–18 14–16[d] —
Source: European Aquatics
  1. ^ Match ended 12–12, Olympiacos Piraeus won 8–7 on penalties
  2. ^ Match ended 11–11, Olympiacos Piraeus won 3–0 on penalties
  3. ^ Match ended 11–11, RN Savona won 3–2 on penalties
  4. ^ Match ended 11–11, Astrapool Sabadell won 5–3 on penalties

Quarter-finals round

Main article: 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League Quarter-finals round

The four group winners and four group runners-up were drawn into two groups, with each one containing two group winners and two group runners-up. The top two teams in each group advanced to the Final Four.

Draw

The draw took place in Zagreb on 11 December. The seeded and unseeded clubs consist of the teams that finished first and second in the previous round respectively. The only restriction was that clubs from the same group in the Main round could not be drawn against each other.[11]

Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 2 points for a penalty shootout win, 1 point for a penalty shootout loss, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings:

  • Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  • Goal difference in all group matches;
  • Goals scored in all group matches.

Group A

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NOV MAR OLY JAD
1 Novi Beograd 6 5 0 0 1 80 63 +17 15 Final Four — 15–14 16–15 17–8
2 CN Marseille 6 4 0 0 2 77 58 +19 12 14–9 — 12–7 11–9
3 Olympiacos Piraeus 6 2 0 1 3 64 69 −5 7 5–8 12–8 — 13–14[a]
4 Jadran Split 6 0 1 0 5 55 86 −31 2 7–15 6–18 11–12 —
Source: European Aquatics
  1. ^ Match ended 9–9, Jadran Split won 7–6 on penalties.

Group B

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification FTC BAR SAV ORA
1 FTC-Telekom 6 5 0 1 0 100 60 +40 16 Final Four — 18–10 15–11 20–10
2 Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta 6 4 1 0 1 85 62 +23 14 13–12[a] — 17–10 17–4
3 RN Savona 6 2 0 0 4 71 83 −12 6 9–17 10–14 — 14–9
4 CSM Oradea 6 0 0 0 6 49 100 −51 0 7–18 8–14 11–17 —
Source: European Aquatics
  1. ^ Match ended 9–9, Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta won 4–3 on penalties.

Final Four

Main article: 2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League Final Four

The Final Four tournament will be held from 31 May to 1 June 2025 at the National Pool Complex in Valletta, Malta.[12][13]

Bracket

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
30 May
 
 
 Novi Beograd (PSO)15
 
1 June
 
 Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta14
 
 Novi Beograd11
 
30 May
 
 FTC-Telekom13
 
 FTC-Telekom14
 
 
 CN Marseille11
 
Third place
 
 
1 June
 
 
 Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta19
 
 
 CN Marseille9

Third place match

1 June 2025
19:30 		Report Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta 19–9 CN Marseille National Pool Complex, Valletta
Referees:
Michiel Zwart (NED), Frank Ohme (GER)
Score by quarters: 6–2, 4–1, 6–4, 3–2
Granados 6 Goals Vernoux 3

Final

1 June 2025
21:30 		Report Novi Beograd 11–13 FTC-Telekom National Pool Complex, Valletta
Referees:
Georgios Stavridis (GRE), Raffaele Colombo (ITA)
Score by quarters: 3–3, 2–2, 3–5, 3–3
Lukic 6 Goals Manhercz 6


2024–25 European Aquatics Champions League Champions

FTC-Telekom
3rd title

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ferencvaros retain Champions League title after downing NBG - European Aquatics®". June 1, 2025.
  2. ^ Spencer-Boyce, James (June 2, 2023). "Changes to European competitions reinforced in Belgrade".
  3. ^ "EUROPEAN AQUATICS WATER POLO CLUB COMPETITIONS" (PDF). 21 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Men Clubs Country Ranking - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. August 18, 2024.
  5. ^ "Pro Recco, giocatori liberi e addio Champions: l'obiettivo è la salvezza". July 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Il futuro incerto della squadra di pallanuoto più vincente d'Europa". Il Post. July 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Sicco, Laura (August 8, 2024). "Pallanuoto: La BPER Rari Nantes Savona ottiene la Wild Card e accederà direttamente ai Gironi di Champions League".
  8. ^ "L'Ortigia parteciperà alla Champions League 2024/25: sorteggio domani alle ore 14.00". Circolo Canottieri Ortigia 1928. August 12, 2024.
  9. ^ "Žapci u kvalifikacije za Ligu prvaka u Kragujevac". havk-mladost.hr.
  10. ^ "Champions League draw – excitements guaranteed - European Aquatics®". www.len.eu. August 13, 2024.
  11. ^ andyrolle@hotmail.com (2024-12-11). "Champions League and Euro Cup draws set up thrillers - European Aquatics®". Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  12. ^ "Malta will host European Aquatics Men's Champions League Final Four the next three years - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. January 18, 2024.
  13. ^ Spencer-Boyce, James (January 18, 2024). "Malta to host the next three Champions League finales".
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