Caption: The official event poster of the Podgorica Qualification Stage
In the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, the third and final qualification stage of the 2025 EGCA Champions League season will take place. Seven teams from seven different countries will compete with the primary goal of finishing in the top three and securing a place at the Final Stage of the season, which will be held in Matosinhos, Portugal from June 19 to 23.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, where each team will play against all others once. Below is a brief introduction to each team’s outlook for the tournament. You can check out the team rosters by clicking here. All matches will be streamed live on the GoalballTV YouTube channel.
GC NIKSIC – THE HOST TEAM ENTERS THE TOURNAMENT AS THE FAVORITE
GC Niksic has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s top club goalball teams over the past three seasons. The team has secured two podium finishes in recent years, claiming silver in 2022 and an impressive bronze last season. This success story is expected to continue both on their home court in Podgorica and later in the summer’s Final Stage.
GC Niksic’s biggest offensive weapon is undoubtedly Nikola Nikolic, who is expected to rank among the top goal scorers of the season. Alongside Montenegro’s best players, the team also features Slovenian goalball legend Matej Ledinek, who continues with GC Niksic for another season, adding valuable depth to the roster.
BRUK-BET TERMALICA KRAKOW – WILL POLAND’S BRIGHTEST STARS RETURN TO THE FINAL STAGE?
Formerly known as WBR Groundhogs Krakow, the team has a new name but remains largely unchanged in composition. They competed in the 2023 final tournament but fell short of the top three in last season’s home tournament in Krakow.
Bruk-Bet Termalica Krakow is one of GC Niksic’s strongest challengers for the tournament title and a prime candidate for a final tournament spot alongside Turkish team Nilüfer Belediüesi. Poland’s 20-year-old superstar, Marcin Czerwinski, is expected to shine again in the goal-scoring rankings, but the team must solidify its defense in key matches if they want to book their place in Matosinhos this summer.
BSI – HOW WILL THE RETURN OF THE TRADITIONAL DANISH CLUB TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OUT?
BSI, hailing from Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is making its return to the Champions League after nearly seven years. The team has been actively competing in Grand Prix tournaments and is now ready to take on the challenge of the Champions League again.
Despite the long absence, BSI boasts significant experience at this level. One of the key players to watch is Gustav Koch Rasmussen, who is undoubtedly among the top offensive players in the Podgorica tournament. The team also features promising young talents for whom this tournament serves as an excellent opportunity to test their skills and take steps forward in their careers. Another highly experienced player in BSI’s squad is Anja Christensen, the all-time leading goal scorer in the Women’s Champions League, who now has a chance to become the highest-scoring female player in Champions League history.
GC NAIS – HOW WILL THE SERBIAN CLUB PERFORM IN ITS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT?
GC NAIS is making history as the first Serbian team to compete in the Champions League. The team has already been actively participating in Grand Prix tournaments and has even hosted two events in their home city of Niš.
They are not among the top favorites, but they will certainly challenge stronger teams fearlessly and gain valuable experience against Europe’s elite goalball clubs. Some of their players will also compete in next month’s C-Division European Championships, making this tournament an excellent opportunity for them to gain high-level match experience.
IFAS STOCKHOLM – A BLEND OF EXPERIENCE AND YOUTHFUL ENERGY
Reigning Swedish champion IFAS Stockholm heads to Podgorica with a fierce determination to secure a Champions League final spot. The team was actively involved in the early seasons of the Champions League but has not been seen at the highest level in Europe in recent years.
The squad includes true legends of Swedish goalball, such as Mikael Åkerberg and Piotr Lawniczak, for whom this Champions League season might be their last. On the other end of the spectrum, 18-year-old rising star Alexander Smedberg, a talented center player, will be a key figure in their fight for a spot in the finals.
KLEIO THESSALONIKI – WILL WE SEE A CHATZIPANTOU SHOW IN PODGORICA?
The traditional Greek club Kleio Thessaloniki returns to the Champions League after a six-year break. They last participated in the 2019-2020 season, which was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kleio Thessaloniki has been actively involved in Grand Prix tournaments in recent years and successfully hosted one in their hometown last autumn.
Their biggest star is Athanasios Chatzipantou, one of Europe’s top attackers, who will undoubtedly cause trouble for opponents in Podgorica. However, their defensive game remains a major question mark. Long-time club members, Bulgarian Ivailo Vatov and Estonian-Finnish Krister Linnas play crucial roles in securing the team’s backline. To secure a final spot, Chatzipantou will need to put on an exceptional offensive display.
NILÜFER BELEDIÜESI – THE DEFENDING TURKISH CHAMPION MAKES HISTORY IN PODGORICA
A new nation joins the EGCA competitions as Turkish champion Nilüfer Belediüesi enters the Podgorica qualifiers. They are far from being mere participants; it would be a major surprise if the Turkish squad does not finish among the top three teams advancing to the FinalStage in Portugal.
Winning the Turkish championship last season without a single loss is a testament to their high level of play. The team features one of Turkey’s national goalball stars, Ebubekir Siddik Kara, along with experienced international players like Baris Tosun and Caner Keles, who have represented Turkey’s formidable national team. This tournament is also a great opportunity for lesser-known Turkish players to step into the spotlight on the international stage.
Good luck all the teams, referees and officials to the tournament and for the fans… let’s enjoy some great goalball!