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2024–25 LEN Champions League

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For the equivalent women's tournament, see 2024–25 LEN Women's Champions League.
LEN Champions League
2024–25
The National Pool Complex in Valletta will host the final four.
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
Tournament statistics
Matches played108

The 2024–25 LEN 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.

Format

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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 LEN 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.[1][2]

Rankings

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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.[3]

Teams

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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,[4][5] RN Savona, who placed second, takes their place in the Main round.[6] Also, despite finishing fourth, CC Ortigia took Italy's third spot in the tournament.[7] 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.[8]

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

Round and draw dates

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Schedule

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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

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Main article: 2024–25 LEN Champions League qualification round

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

Draw

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The draw was on 13 August 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia.[9] H indicates which clubs is hosting a group. Teams in bold advanced to the main round.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4

Italy AN Brescia
Croatia Jug AO Dubrovnik (H)
Greece NC Vouliagmeni
Spain Astrapool Sabadell (H)

Germany Spandau 04
Italy CC Ortigia
Spain CN Barcelona
Serbia Radnički Kragujevac (H)

Serbia VK Šabac
Montenegro Jadran Herceg Novi
Romania CSM Oradea (H)
Croatia HAVK Mladost Zagreb
Hungary BVSC-Zugló

Turkey Enka Istanbul
France Pays d'Aix Natation
Bosnia and Herzegovina VK Banja Luka
Romania Dinamo București
Greece AC PAOK

Group A

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12–15 September 2024, Dubrovnik, Croatia

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

Group B

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13–15 September 2024, Kragujevac, Serbia

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

Group C

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12–15 September 2024, Oradea, Romania

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Romania ORA Germany SPA Italy BRE Greece PAOK Turkey ENK
1 Romania CSM Oradea (H) 4 3 1 0 0 53 36 +17 11 Main round — 8–7 14–13[a] — —
2 Germany Spandau 04 4 3 0 0 1 43 36 +7 9 — — — 12–10 15–11
3 Italy AN Brescia 4 2 0 1 1 51 36 +15 7 — 7–9 — 15–4 —
4 Greece AC PAOK 4 1 0 0 3 33 48 −15 3 8–11 — — — 11–10
5 Turkey 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

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13–15 September 2024, Sabadell, Spain

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

Main round

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Main article: 2024–25 LEN Champions League main round
class=notpageimage|
Location of teams of the 2024–25 LEN 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

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Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Serbia NOV Romania ORA Romania STE Germany HAN
1 Serbia Novi Beograd 6 6 0 0 0 75 51 +24 18 Advance to Quarter-finals — 12–10 11–7 10–8
2 Romania CSM Oradea 6 2 2 0 2 79 83 −4 10 9–15 — 19–18[a] 10–9
3 Romania Steaua București 6 1 1 2 2 77 86 −9 7 Transfer to Euro Cup 8–15 19–20[b] — 13–12[c]
4 Germany 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

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Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Hungary FTC Croatia JAD Serbia RAD Georgia (country) DIN
1 Hungary FTC-Telekom 6 6 0 0 0 92 42 +50 18 Advance to Quarter-finals — 18–9 16–4 16–7
2 Croatia Jadran Split 6 3 1 0 2 76 69 +7 11 10–12 — 15–13[a] 12–5
3 Serbia Radnički Kragujevac 6 2 0 1 3 51 72 −21 7 Transfer to Euro Cup 5–12 11–14 — 8–6
4 Georgia (country) 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

[edit]

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

Group D

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Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Greece OLY Italy SAV Spain AST Montenegro KOT
1 Greece Olympiacos Piraeus 6 3 2 0 1 91 68 +23 13 Advance to Quarter-finals — 9–10 15–11 20–19[a]
2 Italy RN Savona 6 3 1 1 1 74 69 +5 12 11–14[b] — 10–12 11–9
3 Spain Astrapool Sabadell 6 1 1 1 3 75 84 −9 6 Transfer to Euro Cup 8–15 13–14[c] — 15–16
4 Montenegro 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

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Main article: 2024–25 LEN 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

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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.[10]

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

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Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Serbia NOV Greece OLY Croatia JAD France MAR
1 Serbia Novi Beograd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Final four — – – –
2 Greece Olympiacos Piraeus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – — – –
3 Croatia Jadran Split 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – — –
4 France CN Marseille 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – – —
Source: European Aquatics

Group B

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Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Spain BAR Hungary FTC Romania ORA Italy SAV
1 Spain Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Final four — – – –
2 Hungary FTC-Telekom 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – — – –
3 Romania CSM Oradea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – — –
4 Italy RN Savona 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – – —
Source: European Aquatics

Final Four

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The National Pool Complex in Valletta will host the final four.
Main article: 2024–25 LEN Champions League Final four

On 18 January 2024, the final four was held in the capital of Malta, Valletta, at the National Pool Complex.[11][12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Spencer-Boyce, James (June 2, 2023). "Changes to European competitions reinforced in Belgrade".
  2. ^ https://www.len.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/REGULATIONS-EUROPEAN-AQUATICS-WATER-POLO-CLUB-COMPETITIONS-1.pdf
  3. ^ a b "Men Clubs Country Ranking - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. August 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Pro Recco, giocatori liberi e addio Champions: l'obiettivo è la salvezza". July 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Il futuro incerto della squadra di pallanuoto più vincente d'Europa". Il Post. July 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Sicco, Laura (August 8, 2024). "Pallanuoto: La BPER Rari Nantes Savona ottiene la Wild Card e accederà direttamente ai Gironi di Champions League".
  7. ^ "L'Ortigia parteciperà alla Champions League 2024/25: sorteggio domani alle ore 14.00". Circolo Canottieri Ortigia 1928. August 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Žapci u kvalifikacije za Ligu prvaka u Kragujevac". havk-mladost.hr.
  9. ^ "Champions League draw – excitements guaranteed - European Aquatics®". www.len.eu. August 13, 2024.
  10. ^ https://www.len.eu/champions-league-and-euro-cup-draws-set-up-thrillers/
  11. ^ "Malta will host European Aquatics Men's Champions League Final Four the next three years - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. January 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Spencer-Boyce, James (January 18, 2024). "Malta to host the next three Champions League finales".
  13. ^ https://tvmnews.mt/sport/sliema-se-jikkompetu-fic-challenger-cup-tal-irgiel-u-tan-nisa-sirens-jikkompetu-ftan-nisa-biss/
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