The 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Men returns this week with the decisive second legs of the Round of 16. After a dramatic opening series of matches packed with comebacks, upsets and stellar individual performances, Europe’s leading clubs now prepare for the final push towards the quarterfinals.
Several favourites carry strong advantages into the return fixtures, while other ties remain finely balanced, promising another round of high drama as the road to the Final Four comes into sharper focus.
Saarbrücken Back Home After Polish Thriller
1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) vs Dojlidy Białystok (POL)
Second leg: 19 December, Saarbrücken
The reigning champions return to Germany with a slender 3–2 advantage after a fierce battle in Białystok, where Dojlidy pushed the No. 1 seeds to the very limit.
Patryk CHOJNOWSKI twice delivered for the hosts, including a stunning comeback win against Patrick FRANZISKA, but in the decisive fifth match Darko JORGIC found his top level to secure the away victory for Saarbrücken.
Adding further strength for the decisive return leg, Paris 2024 Olympic Champion FAN Zhendong is set to reinforce the German champions, giving Saarbrücken an additional boost as they seek to defend their title.
Borussia Düsseldorf Close to Quarterfinals After Statement in Spain
Borussia Düsseldorf (GER) vs Real Club Cajasur Priego TM (ESP)
Second leg: 18 December, Düsseldorf
No. 2 seeds Borussia Düsseldorf return home with a 3–0 lead after a dominant performance in Priego. Anton KÄLLBERG, Dang QIU and Kanak JHA each delivered straight-match wins after overcoming early resistance from the Spanish hosts.
With such a strong advantage and the return leg in Düsseldorf, the German giants are in a very strong position to secure another quarterfinal berth. Priego will need something extraordinary to challenge the six-time Champions League winners on German soil.
Montpellier Aim to Finish the Job at Home
Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) vs SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt (AUT)
Second leg: 21 December, France
Alliance Nîmes Montpellier took a 3–1 away win from Austria, underlining their status as one of the main contenders for the Final Four. Félix and Alexis LEBRUN proved decisive, combining for three points.
Wiener Neustadt stayed competitive through Navid SHAMS’ win over Antoine HACHARD, but must now overturn a two-match deficit away from home. Montpellier will approach the second leg with confidence and a clear target: finish the job and confirm their place among Europe’s last eight.
Dekorglass Działdowo Target Safe Passage After Impressive Start
KS Dekorglass Działdowo (POL) vs SKST Havířov (CZE)
Second leg: 18 December, Działdowo
Last season’s quarterfinalists Dekorglass Działdowo opened their campaign with a 3–0 away victory in Havířov, but the scoreline hides how tight many of the games were. Jakub DYJAS, Tomislav PUCAR and Samuel KULCZYCKI all had to show composure in key moments to secure the sweep.
With the return leg in Poland and a three-point cushion, Dekorglass stand on the brink of another quarterfinal appearance. Havířov, however, demonstrated that they can compete and will look to at least challenge for a morale-boosting second-leg result.
Bogoria Strong Favourites After Dominant Win in Prague
KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki (POL) vs SF SKK El Niňo Praha (CZE)
Second leg: 18 December, Poland
Bogoria produced one of the most convincing away performances of the opening legs, defeating El Niňo Praha 3–0 in the Czech capital. With Miłosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI and Panagiotis GIONIS all delivering, the Polish club underlined their depth and ambition.
The return leg in Grodzisk Mazowiecki sees Bogoria in a strong position to complete the task and reach the quarterfinals. El Niňo will need to produce something spectacular to turn the tie around against a team that has already shown full control over the matchup.
Mühlhausen Travel to Czechia With Work Still to Do
HB Ostrov z.s. (CZE) vs Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER)
Second leg: 19 December, Czechia
Post SV Mühlhausen earned a 3–1 home win in the first leg, driven by two impressive performances from Marcos FREITAS and a key victory from Steffen MENGEL. Jiří VRÁBLÍK’s win kept HB Ostrov’s hopes alive.
The German side enter the second leg with a valuable cushion, but Ostrov have already shown they can take points off their opponents. In front of their home supporters and with last season’s Europe Cup success still fresh, the Czech club will believe they can force a dramatic second-leg battle.
Hennebont Look to Finish the Job in Brittany
GV Hennebont TT (FRA) vs ASC Grünwettersbach (GER)
Second leg: 21 December, France
GV Hennebont delivered a highly impressive 3–1 away victory in Germany, overturning an early deficit after Hiroto SHINOZUKA’s win over Simon GAUZY. Vladimir SIDORENKO was the hero with two tight, high-pressure victories, while Lev KATSMAN dominated in straight games.
With the tie now shifting to Hennebont, the French side have a strong platform to secure progression. Grünwettersbach, however, showed their quality in the first leg and know that an early win in the second leg could quickly change the momentum.
Can Sokah Hoboken Finish the Fairytale – Or Will Orlicz Respond at Home?
KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) vs TTC Sokah Hoboken (BEL)
Second leg: 21 December, Poland
One of the biggest stories of the Round of 16 came from Belgium, where TTC Sokah Hoboken produced a stunning 3–0 win over last season’s Final Four side Orlicz Suchedniów.
Rémi BETELU, Benjamin BROSSIER and Quentin ROBINOT all contributed in a night of high drama, capped by ROBINOT’s comeback from two games down. Seeded only 19th, Hoboken have put themselves on the brink of a historic quarterfinal place.
However, the second leg in Suchedniów presents a very different challenge. Orlicz, with their experience and strong roster, will throw everything into the home match to overturn the deficit. This tie has all the ingredients to be one of the most intriguing second-leg battles.
Everything to Play for as Final Four Dream Comes Closer
With aggregate margins ranging from razor-thin to seemingly decisive, the second legs of the Round of 16 promise a mix of comeback attempts, statement wins, and high-pressure finishes. For some clubs, only one more solid performance stands between them and the quarterfinals; for others, it will require something special to keep their Champions League journey alive.
The next wave of matches on 18, 19 and 21 December will decide who remains in the hunt for the 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Men title – and who steps closer to the Final Four.
