Euro Cup Men: Advantage Radnicki and Jadran as semifinals get underway

VK Jadran Split fought back from 3-1 down early in the second quarter to take control of their semifinal first leg against BVSC Manna ABC, but the Hungarians stayed within touching distance, with two late goals cutting the deficit to just one ahead of the return fixture in Budapest. The other last-four clash proved an immense battle between SPD Radnicki and CN Marseille. After an even first half, the hosts gradually edged in front, opening up a two-goal lead late in the third before stretching their advantage to three by the final buzzer.

2025/26 Euro Cup Men
Semifinals, First-Legs
Saturday 25 April

VK Jadran Split (CRO) 13-12 BVSC Manna ABC (HUN)
SPD Radnicki (SRB) 17-14 CN Marseille (FRA)

Second-legs: Saturday 9 May

VK Jadran Split (CRO) 13-12 BVSC Manna ABC (HUN) (1-2, 5-3, 4-2, 3-5)

Jadran Split captain Zvonimir Butic, who scored the last two goals against Panathinaikos in the quarters to propel his team into the last four, picked up where he left off at the start of the first semifinal.

After both teams missed early six-on-five chances, Butic buried Jadran’s second, rifling a fierce effort from the right that bounced into the top-left corner.

It was a strike BVSC goalkeeper Viktor Gyapjas could only watch flash past him, but his team responded perfectly, hammering in the next three goals to move two clear early in the second quarter.

Butic stepped up again, converting Jadran’s next two extras to draw level and complete his hat-trick, his emphatic celebration showing just how much the game meant to him.

Nardo Skejic then joined the action, arrowing in from another six-on-five – almost a carbon copy of Butic’s opener – to put the hosts 4-3 up and prompt an immediate time-out from BVSC coach Daniel Varga.

The visitors couldn’t find a leveller, and Duje Pejkovic was left in acres of space at the far post for a simple finish to restore Jadran’s two-goal advantage.

Mor Benedek and Zsombor Ekler – whose exquisite lob was awarded after a VAR review – struck to level matters, but Loren Fatovic had the final say of the half, finishing a well-worked six-on-five to edge Jadran ahead 6-5.

At the start of the third, the Croatians quickly extended the gap to three, with Toni Nemet and Ivan Zovic both on target, putting BVSC under real pressure.

Erik Csacsovszky reduced the deficit with a sharp skip shot from the right, but the lead was back to three (10-7) by the end of the quarter, as Jadran built what looked like a healthy cushion ahead of the return leg.

The final break worked in the Hungarians’ favour, as they came out strongly in the fourth, with a quick double from Ekler bringing them within one, though they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Ekler’s first of the quarter was sensational – a powerful finish from around 8m that skimmed off the water and past a clearly strartled Marko Bijac in the Jadran net.

Antonio Duzevic steadied the hosts, winning a physical battle in the centre, receiving the ball, turning and firing into the far corner.

Nika Shushiashvili responded from an extra, before Toni Nemet and Fatovic both struck from six-on-fives to restore a three-goal margin at 13-10.

Jadran’s defence, however, faltered, conceding twice in the final minute – first to Ekler, who claimed his fourth of the night, then to David Tatrai, who finished from an extra with a clever fake and low shot from a tight angle on the left.

Those late goals leave the tie finely poised, with the Hungarians still firmly in contention as they head into the second leg in Budapest trailing by just one.

SPD Radnicki (SRB) 17-14 CN Marseille (FRA) (3-2, 3-5, 7-5, 4-2)

Saturday’s second semifinal opened with a cagey first half, with neither team able to build any real advantage.

For almost four minutes, both defences were on top before Marseille made full use of their first six-on-five, with Adam Nagy breaking the deadlock to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Twenty seconds later, the hosts were back level as Strahinja Rasovic converted Radnicki’s first extra and, although they moved 3-2 ahead by the first break, they were unable to hold the lead for long.

Ugo Crousillat equalised early in the second period with a fine finish from the right on extra, and the lead went on to change hands twice.

With 1:37 remaining in the half, Thomas Vernoux’s powerful effort – which flew over the head of Radoslav Filipovic after a smart fake – handed Marseille a narrow 7-6 lead at the turnaround.

In the third, the French continued to set the pace, but only just, as Radnicki did an excellent job of chasing, levelling at 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9, never allowing their opponents to pull clear.

The Serbians were rewarded midway through the penultimate quarter, as Angelos Vlahopulos blasted in a 6m effort to put Radnicki back in front.

Marseille were forced onto the chase again and responded well, with Vernoux slamming in a rebound from the left after Crousillat’s shot from the right had cannoned off the crossbar straight into his path.

Boris Vapenski’s finish on extra restored Radnicki’s lead, and Andrija Prlainovic made no mistake from a penalty to open up a two-goal cushion for the first time in the match at 12-10.

Play was briefly halted as tensions flared on both benches following a series of disputed penalty decisions.

Uros Stevanovic and Milos Scepanovic were each shown yellow cards, while Radnicki assistant coach Filip Batinic saw red for his protests.

Despite the drama on the poolside, Crousillat kept his composure from 5m to bring Marseille back within one at 12-11.

Equalisers were proving harder to come by, particularly as Rasovic converted another extra to keep Radnicki in control, but their two-goal leads remained fragile, with Nagy powering home with seven seconds left to make it 13-12 heading into the final period.

In the fourth, the hosts began to take control, with goals from Nikola Jaksic, Vapenski and Sava Randjelovic helping them establish a three-goal advantage at 16-13.

Tensions were continuing to rise on the away bench, with Scepanovic being sent to the stands and Marseille were clearly feeling the strain.

Although Crousillat struck his fourth of the night from 6m, Vlahopulos responded with 27 seconds remaining, finding the narrowest of gaps in a crowded defence to leave Radnicki three goals clear ahead of the return leg in France (17-14).

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Andy Rollé for European Aquatics

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