The first big match of the new European Aquatics club water polo season is just hours away – Zodiac CNAB and Marseille will clash for the Men’s Super Cup from 19:30 on Wednesday evening in Barcelona.
2026 European Aquatics Super Cup
Men’s final
Wednesday 30 September, Barcelona
(CET time shown)
19:30: Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v CN Marseille (FRA)
Head-to-head record: 7-2
2025-26: 11-12, 12-11. 2024-25: 19-14, 12-9, 19-9 (bronze). 2023-24: 13-12, 9-7. 2012-13: 15-4, 10-11.
Marseille and Barceloneta know each other extremely well, having met in the Champions League in each of the previous three seasons.
While CNAB won all three meetings convincingly in 2024/25, including a 19-9 hammering in the bronze medal match at the Final Four, the games in 2023/24 and last season were much tighter affairs.
In fact, almost exactly a year ago, Marseille managed to beat CNAB here in Barcelona in the second round of the Group Stage.
Few would have guessed then that it would prove to be the Spaniards’ only loss of the entire season – and even fewer would have predicted, after that impressive win, that Marseille wouldn’t survive the first phase and would be dropped to the Euro Cup.
That’s exactly what happened, though, and Marseille went all the way in the second tier competition, earning the chance to play for the Super Cup trophy.
Both sides have played in one Super Cup final so far. Barceloneta added the trophy to their Champions League triumph in 2014 (Gonzalo Echenique was also a part of that show 12 years ago), while Marseille blew a four-goal lead against FTC-Telekom in 2019 and are still waiting to land their first Super Cup title.
Neither team has changed significantly since they met last October, although one star arrival could make a real difference for Barceloneta as Pro Recco legend Francesco di Fulvio decided to move to the Catalan capital.
At the same time, leftie Gergo Burian, who scored the eventual trophy-winning goal in the Final Four against Recco, joined VK Jug Dubrovnik.
Marseille needed some reshaping in the centre-forward position after seasoned veteran Michael Bodegas called it a day and Vladan Spaic moved to Vouliagmeni.
One of Montenegro’s most talented players, Vasilje Radovic, is one of the most exciting signings of the summer, while experienced Aussie and former CNAB goalie Nic Porter provides quality back-up for Petar Tesanovic.
The French journey to Barcelona couldn’t have been more adventurous, with their flight cancelled in the morning after Catalonia was hit by a heavy storm.
They had to take two minibuses and endure a six-hour drive to reach the venue, so they’ll be hoping things can only get better for them on Wednesday night in the pool…
Pre-game quotes
Alberto Munarriz, CNAB
“It’s going to be a really tough game. Marseille played really well last year. We played two absolutely close matches last year, lost at home, just won in Marseille, so we know each other really well. It’s a difficult challenge, but we need to approach the game with good energy and if we can control the pace of the game, we’ll have a good chance to lift the trophy, but it’s clear that Marseille have come with the same goal.”
Vince Vigvari, CNAB
“We are extremely excited and we can’t wait for this match. Ever since we started our preparations, we have this game in our minds. Of course, we’re aware they beat us almost exactly a year ago here in our pool. And I can tell we expect a similarly close match on Wednesday. We know their strengths, but we also trust in our strengths too. This is going to be the first big match of the season in our pool, I urge everyone to come or to tune in, no one will be disappointed!”
Milos Scepanovic, coach, Marseille
“It’s a trophy game, so we prepare accordingly. We don’t feel any pressure, we came to play a good game here. Of course, we remember our Champions League game in last October when we could win here. It turned out later that was CNAB’s only defeat in the entire season – but of course, we can also recall our match in Marseille which was a similarly good game where we lost by one goal. We have great respect towards Barceloneta, they have a great team, but if we play according to what we agreed, we can have another great and close match in the Super Cup final.”
Thomas Vernoux, Marseille
“That game in October is still in our minds, as we came here and played one of the best games of last season. It’s a pleasure to come back and play in this pool against this great team again. If we’re able to play with the same energy once more, it’ll be a really good game.”
Watch the Super Cup live on European Aquatics TV
Stay tuned to the European Aquatics Water Polo social media accounts for more news and live updates on Facebook and Instagram
Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics