Three Maltese clubs discover European Aquatics Challenger Cup opponents
Sliema ASC, San Ġiljan ASC and Neptunes WPSC will represent Malta in this season’s European Aquatics Challenger Cup after the draws for the continental water polo competition were held on Monday.
The draw has produced an all-Maltese encounter in Group C, with Sliema and Neptunes drawn together alongside Slovenian side AVK Maribor and Israel’s Hapoel Givat Haim.
The qualifying tournament will take place in Slovenia, with AVK Maribor hosting the group matches.
For Neptunes, the competition will mark their debut in European club water polo, while Sliema will be looking to build on their impressive performances in recent editions.
San Ġiljan, meanwhile, have been drawn in Group A alongside Lithuanian representatives EVK Žaibas, Portugal’s Paredes Polo Aquático and Bulgarian side KVT Cherno More.
The Saints will enjoy home advantage in the qualifying round, with the Group A tournament scheduled to take place in Malta between November 20 and 22.
Sliema enter this season’s competition with considerable European experience, having participated in the previous two editions.
The Blues reached the semi-finals in 2025 before being eliminated by Dutch side Donk.
They subsequently improved on that performance in the following edition, securing a historic bronze medal after finishing third overall.
San Ġiljan also competed in the previous edition of the Challenger Cup, finishing fifth overall.
Neptunes, on the other hand, will be making their first appearance in the competition and will be hoping to make a positive impression against established European opposition.
The presence of three Maltese clubs in this season’s tournament provides another opportunity for local water polo to gain valuable international experience, with Sliema and Neptunes set to meet in an intriguing domestic rivalry on the European stage.
European Aquatics Challenger Cup – Qualifying round
Group A – Malta (November 20–22)
- San Ġiljan ASC (Malta)
- EVK Žaibas (Lithuania)
- Paredes Polo Aquático (Portugal)
- KVT Cherno More (Bulgaria)
Group C – Slovenia
- Sliema ASC (Malta)
- Neptunes WPSC (Malta)
- AVK Maribor (Slovenia)
- Hapoel Givat Haim (Israel)
Share this content:
