Challenger Cup Men: Zaibas, Enka, Galatasaray and Sliema surge into semifinals
Galatasaray SK and EVK Zaibas emerged as the big winners on the second day of the men’s Challenger Cup Final Eight, both securing two victories to finish top of their respective groups and book their places in Saturday’s semi-finals with perfect records so far in Istanbul. They will be joined in the last four by runners-up Enka Sport Klub and Sliema ASC Nexawin. Zaibas will face Sliema, while Galatasaray are set to face domestic rivals Enka for a place in Sunday’s showpiece final.
2025/26 Challenger Cup Men
Final Eight
Friday 13 March
Group A
Enka Sport Klub (TUR) 11-16 EVK Zaibas (LIT)
Vitoria Sport Clube (POR) 16-18 AVK Branik Maribor (SLO)
Enka Sport Klub (TUR) 21-13 AVK Branik Maribor (SLO)
EVK Zaibas (LIT) 16-14 Vitoria Sport Clube (POR)
Standings: 1. Zaibas 9pts, 2. Enka 6pts, 3. Maribor 3pts, 4. Vitoria 0pts
Group B
Sliema ASC Nexawin (MLT) 25-11 Heybeliada ASC (TUR)
San Giljan ASC (MLT) 13-14 Galatasaray SK (TUR)
Sliema ASC Nexawin (MLT) 5-23 Galatasaray SK (TUR)
Heybeliada ASC (TUR) 16-22 San Giljan ASC (MLT)
Standings: 1. Galatasaray 9pts, 2. Sliema 6pts, 3. San Giljan 3pts, 4. Heybeliada 0pts
Group A
Enka Sport Klub (TUR) 11-16 EVK Zaibas (LIT)
Last season’s runners-up appear to be on a mission. Ever since losing the 2025 final to GZC Donk in the very last second of the game, EVK Zaibas seem to have set their full focus on winning a European trophy this year.
After easing past Maribor on Thursday, the Lithuanians picked up exactly where they left off on Friday by dismantling Enka Sport Klub.
The Lithuanians set the tone in the first half, racing into a commanding 5-11 lead, which allowed them to control the second half and start looking ahead to the semi-finals.
Marin Vrdoljak and Marko Jelaca combined spectacularly, scoring 11 of Zaibas’ 16 goals, with Vrdoljak hitting six and Jelaca five.
Georgios Devisis led the resistance for Enka, smashing in seven goals in a fine individual performance, but it still wasn’t enough to trouble Zaibas, who were in control throughout.
Group A
Vitoria Sport Clube (POR) 16-18 AVK Branik Maribor (SLO)
Vitoria Sport Clube and AVK Branik Maribor played out a 34-goal thriller that was ultimately edged by the Slovenians.
Maribor looked to be pulling away in the second quarter, leading by three at 7-10 shortly before half-time, but the Portuguese side raised their game and began to strike back.
After trailing 9-11 early in the third, Vitoria fired in four unanswered goals to move two clear and regain the lead for the first time since the third minute of the match.
Their advantage did not last long, though, as Matej Rajsp struck twice to level the score at 13-13 heading into the final eight minutes.
In the fourth quarter, Maribor found another gear while Vitoria were forced to chase the game. They managed to equalise at 14-14, but that proved to be the last time the sides were level, as Maribor were more clinical in the final exchanges to secure the three points.
Group A
Enka Sport Klub (TUR) 21-13 AVK Branik Maribor (SLO)
This clash was a straight shootout between Enka and Maribor for the runners-up spot behind runaway leaders Zaibas.
Backed by a large number of loud and passionate fans, Enka roared into a 6-1 lead and never looked back. By half-time they were 11-5 ahead and firmly in control.
Maribor reduced the deficit to three in the third (14-11), but the Turks reset their focus in the fourth and gave their supporters plenty to cheer about as they rifled in five without reply to remove any doubt about which team were heading to the last four.
Georgios Devisis added another seven goals to his tournament tally with another outstanding display, and his feat was matched by Yusa Duzenli, who also hammered in seven.
Group A
EVK Zaibas (LIT) 16-14 Vitoria Sport Clube (POR)
After two comfortable victories, Zaibas did not have it all their own way against Vitoria, who were desperate to secure their first points of the weekend, while the Lithuanians appeared to be already turning their attention to Saturday’s semi-finals.
The Portuguese side took the lead on three occasions in the first half (2-3, 3-4 and 4-5), but Zaibas stayed close and never allowed the deficit to grow any larger.
By half-time, the teams were level at 7-7, and Zaibas began to show their class in the third quarter by opening up a two-goal advantage twice (10-8 and 11-9).
Vitoria kept battling, but once the gap stretched to five early in the fourth (14-9), the contest was effectively over and it was clear Zaibas were heading towards their third consecutive victory in Istanbul.
Group B
Sliema ASC Nexawin (MLT) 25-11 Heybeliada ASC (TUR)
After downing domestic rivals San Giljan on Thursday, Sliema ASC Nexawin knew a win against Heybeliada ASC on Friday morning would put them firmly in the driving seat for the runners-up spot in Group B.
The Maltese side took care of business early, surging into an unassailable 14-2 lead by half-time – a run that included a sensational 6-0 shutout in the second quarter.
Heybeliada were caught in a perfect storm and were powerless to stop the onslaught, but once the outcome was well beyond doubt, they managed to limit the damage in the second half, narrowly losing the last two quarters 11-9.
Jake Cachia led the charge for Sliema with five goals and he was ably supported by the likes of Aleksandar Ivovic and Jayden Cassar, who hit four each.
Group B
San Giljan ASC (MLT) 13-14 Galatasaray SK (TUR)
Galatasaray – who won this competition in 2024 – remain on course for another appearance in the final, but only just, as they were forced to dig deep against San Giljan ASC.
The Turks got off to a terrible start, trailing 5-1 at the first break, and it took a huge effort to fight their way back. They finally drew level midway through the fourth quarter, when Stefan Gak made it 11-11.
A Nico Schiavone goal and a Marko Vavic penalty swung the game back in San Giljan’s favour, but Galatasaray refused to give in.
Three unanswered goals in the final three minutes – from Engin Colak, Selcuk Cana and Efe Naipoglu – put the hosts back in front for the first time since the opening minute of the match.
It was a spectacular finish for Galatasaray, whose battling performance had the entire home crowd on their feet.
For San Giljan it was heartbreak, especially for their USA star Marko Vavic, who left the pool with a seven-goal haul, just as he did on the opening day against Sliema, yet still ended up on the losing side once again.
Group B
Sliema ASC Nexawin (MLT) 5-23 Galatasaray SK (TUR)
With both teams already assured of a place in the semi-finals, the clash between Sliema and Galatasaray decided who would progress as group winners.
In the end, it was a comfortable victory for the hosts, who appeared to have greater motivation. Despite their earlier exertions against San Giljan, they found the energy to power past Sliema and claim the top spot.
The Maltese side showed they were capable of troubling the Turks in the opening quarter, which ended 3-4, but their attack fizzled out in the second period as the hosts’ defence began to dominate.
A 0-6 run effectively ended the contest by half-time, and Sliema were unable to shift the momentum after that. They lost the second half 2-13, with Galatasaray’s defence again doing an excellent job, particularly in the fourth (0-7).
Stefan Gak was the standout performer for the Turks, top-scoring with six goals, and their coach Pedraig Mihailovic would have been pleased to see 12 of his players on the scoresheet.
It was a disappointing end to the group stage for the Maltese, but with qualification already secured they will no doubt be a very different proposition in the semifinals against Zaibas.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, looked sharp throughout and will aim to maintain that form against their domestic rivals Enka on Saturday evening.
Group B
Heybeliada ASC (TUR) 16-22 San Giljan ASC (MLT)
The battle to avoid the bottom spot in the group was won by San Giljan ASC, whose 3-8 burst in the opening quarter ultimately proved decisive.
Heybeliada began to fight back in the second period and closed to within two, then early in the third they reduced the gap to one (10-11) as Nadir Sonmez and Yagiz Gedik struck to put the Maltese under pressure.
That spell reawakened San Giljan, who responded with four unanswered goals in the next three minutes to regain control (10-15), and they never allowed their opponents to get that close again.
After scoring seven goals in each of their earlier defeats, San Giljan’s Marko Vavic finished this time with a five-goal haul and, more importantly, a first win in Istanbul.
His efforts were eclipsed by team-mate Ben Plumpton, though, as he finished as San Giljan’s top scorer on this occasion with six.
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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics
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