Novi Beograd defeated Olympiacos 12:10 at home, while Barceloneta triumphed over Brescia in Italy, 13:11 in the first round of Group A in the Champions League Quarter-Final stage.
Although both matches ended with a two-goal margin, their storylines were quite different. Barceloneta established a four-goal lead in the first half and maintained control, preventing Brescia from making a comeback in the following 16 minutes.
In Belgrade, Novi Beograd led for most of the match, but Olympiacos, spearheaded by Gergo Zalanki, made a strong effort and took its first lead in the fourth period. However, Novi Beograd secured the victory in a thrilling finish. This was Novi Beograd’s third consecutive win over Olympiacos, following two earlier victories in the 2025 Champions League Quarter-Final stage.
2026 Champions League, Quarter Final Stage, Group A, Day 1
(quarters 4:2, 3:2, 1:4, 4:2)
Novi Beograd Tehnomanija: Lukic 4, Marinovic 3, Ukropina 2, Gladovic 1, Dimitrijevic 1, Perkovic 1.
Olympiacos: Zalanki 6, Genidounias 1, Alafragkis 1, Kakaris 1, Pouros 1.
In the first quarter, Novi Beograd took a one-goal lead twice, but Olympiacos equalized both times. In the 8th minute, Novi Beograd scored two goals and managed to defend one man down, ending the first period with a 4:2 lead. Midway through the second period, Olympiacos leveled the score at 4:4. However, Novi Beograd then tightened its defense. Milan Glusic made several nice saves, and while his teammates went on a 3:0 scoring run, Novi Beograd pulled ahead to a 7:4 lead by halftime.
Novi Beograd didn’t enjoy a 3-goal lead for long. Olympiacos scored twice in the first 94 seconds of the second half. Gendionis converted a man-up, and Kakaris from the 2m line for 6:7. At the finish of the quarter, Gladovic scored with an extra player for 8:6. Olympiacos then earned a penalty shot, but Glusac saved a shot from Genidonias. However, he couldn’t stop Gergo Zalanki. The Hungarian leftie cut the deficit to 7:8 with 41 seconds left, and than beat the buzzer. After Novi Beograd failed to convert a 6 on 5, he leveled from a counterattack.
Zalanki and Lukic Photo: VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija
The Hungarian continued his show in the fourth period. In the 27th minute, Zalanki scored from the penalty, and Olympiacos went ahead for the first time in the match, 9:8. Immediately after, Nikola Lukic replied with his 4th goal, and the rivals were tied again.
Zalanki scored his sixth goal, 10:9. However, Novi Beograd’s newest addition, Montenegrin leftie Aleksa Ukropina, quickly turned the game around by scoring two back-to-back power-play goals. This gave the hosts an 11:10 lead with just 3:31 minutes remaining in the match.
Milan Glusac Photo by VK Novi Beograd Tehnomanija
In the ensuing minutes, both goalkeepers performed well. Novi Beograd capitalized on an great saves by Milan Glusac, who blocked saved one 6 on 4 shot in the final moments of the game.
Marko Dimitrijevic sealed Novi Beograd’s victory from a counterattack 33 seconds before the final buzzer.
(quarters 3:4, 2:5, 2:2, 4:2)
Brescia: Del Basso 3, Guerrato , Ferrero 2, Popadic 1, Dolce 1, Gianazza 1, Balzarini 1.
Barceloneta: Sanahuja 3, Vigvari 2, Biel 2, Gomila , Bustos 1, Munarriz 1, Valls 1, Burian 1.
After leading 4:3 at the first break, Barceloneta doubled its advantage in its first possession in the 2nd period. Gomila made it 5:3, but Brescia quickly replied with two goals to level at 5:5. Shortly after, Sanahuja put the visitors in front from a penalty shot. The visitors netted three goals in the last two minutes of the first half. Vince Vigvari concluded the series from a counterattack to make it 9:5 just 13 seconds before the middle break. Unai Aguirre played an important role in the final minutes of the first half, posting several saves.
Alberto Munarriz Photo by Eleonora Frigerio
Barceloneta’s 4:0 run in the second quarter was crucial for the Spaniards’ victory, as they maintained control of the match in the second half. The teams exchanged goals throughout the third period. In the 28th minute, Bernat Sanahuja scored his third goal from a distance, extending the margin to five points at 12:7, effectively deciding the game. In the final minutes, Brescia managed to reduce the gap to two points.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
