European Aquatics Challenger Cup
| Current season, competition or edition: 2024–25 European Aquatics Challenger Cup | |
| Sport | Water polo |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2022 |
| President | Patrice Coste |
| Country | European Aquatics members |
| Continent | Europe |
| Most recent champion(s) | Galatasaray (1st title) |
| Most titles | Galatasaray GS Apollon Smyrnis (1 title each) |
| Level on pyramid | 3rd Tier 4th Tier |
| Official website | [1] |
The European Aquatics Challenger Cup is a water polo club competition organised by the European Aquatics. It acts as the third tier, below the European Aquatics Champions League and the European Aquatics Euro Cup. GS Apollon Smyrnis of Greece became the first champions, defeating CN Terrassa of Spain in the final.[1] From 2024, after LEN was renamed to European Aquatics, the new name is the European Aquatics Challenger Cup.
History
The European Aquatics Challenger Cup was created by European Aquatics (formerly LEN) in 2022, with the goal of creating more opportunities for developing Water Polo nations.[2][3]
On the 2 June 2023, LEN formally announced they would create a LEN Women's Challenger Cup, starting in the 2023–24 season.[4]
From 2025, after the introduction of the Conference Cup, the Challenger Cup will become the fourth tier tournament in European club water polo.[5][6][7]
Winners
Challenger Cup
| Year | Final | Semi-finalists | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Score | Second place | |||||
| 2022–23 Details |
GS Apollon Smyrnis |
30–25 (12–11 / 18–14) |
CN Terrassa |
Tenerife Echeyde |
Enkaspor | ||
| 2023–24 Details |
Galatasaray |
33–19 (14–6 / 19–13) |
Triglav Kranj |
EVK Zaibas |
SC Kreuzlingen | ||
| 2024–25 Details |
GZC Donk |
23–22 (11–13 / 12–9) |
EVK Zaibas |
Sliema ASC |
ZV De Zaan | ||
Editions
See also
Men
- European Aquatics Champions League
- European Aquatics Euro Cup
- European Aquatics Conference Cup
- European Aquatics Super Cup
Women
- European Aquatics Women's Champions League
- European Aquatics Women's Euro Cup
- European Aquatics Women's Conference Cup
- European Aquatics Women's Challenger Cup
- European Aquatics Women's Super Cup
References
- ^ Boado, Carlitos (April 29, 2023). "Apollon stun Terrassa, claim historical trophy". Len.eu.
- ^ Curcic, Ivan (June 16, 2022). "New system of LEN competition for clubs; first Challenger Cup starts in season 2022/23".
- ^ Curcic, Ivan (July 18, 2022). "LEN Challenger Cup - opportunity for everyone".
- ^ "Big changes in European water polo club competitions - LEN - European Aquatics". www.len.eu. June 2, 2023.
- ^ "New European water polo competition set to boost quality and club development - European Aquatics®". April 2, 2025.
- ^ Curcic, Ivan (April 2, 2025). "EA launches Conference Cup and reduces number of teams in Champions League and Euro Cup qualifications".
- ^ https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WATER-POLO-CLUB-COMPETITIONS-REGULATIONS-SEASON-2025-2026.pdf