Courtesy: LEN
After a longer break, filled with national teams’ action, Champions League resumes with another exciting round, where many teams face do-or-die matches. At the same time, Barceloneta’s clash with Olympiacos and a win would almost secure the top spot for the Spaniards in Group A.
Group B has already been divided and this round may end the dreams on the Final 8 for a couple of teams. Spandau, Marseille and OSC are all up to grab a very last chance to stay on board, however, each of them face a mission-impossible-like challenge. OSC, winless in its last four matches, meet group-leader Brescia, while Marseille visit Novi Beograd, where the Serbs are determined to go after the Italians to clinch the first place.
Spandau upset Ferencvaros on Day 5, still, the Germans are definitely the underdogs this time in Budapest. Bottom-ranked Sabadell have no real hopes to make the cut, still, the Spaniards can impose a threat on Jug’s ambitions for another F8 ride, though the Croats had a fine revival in the last round after a rather painful period.
Group A presents even more thrilling match-ups. The big game is due in Barcelona where the top ranked Spaniards clash with Olympiacos and a win would almost be a guarantee for Barceloneta to finish atop. They stunned Recco in Italy at the beginning of the month, though the Greeks are also eager for a revenge for their home loss on Day 5.
The other grand fight is expected in Split where Jadran and Vouliagmeni are to stage a showdown for the last available berth. The Greeks still have a three-point advantage, but a win would put Jadran in pole position in this race. Though Radnicki, if they don’t fall in Tbilisi, may still have slight chance to somehow catch a wave which would bring the Serbs to Belgrade.
Recco may find some easy cure to their wounds caused by their first home-defeat in the CL since 2020 three weeks ago (against Barceloneta) – the game against Hannover at home should offer some easy cruising for the title-holders.
Champions League, Day 10 – Fixtures
Group B (Tuesday)
19.30 Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) v Jug Adriatic Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO)
19.30 Genesys OSC Budapest (HUN) v AN Brescia (ITA)
19.45 Novi Beograd (SRB) v CN Marseille (FRA)
20.45 FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN) v Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
Standings: 1. Brescia 24, 2. Novi Beograd 22, 3. Ferencvaros 18, 4. Jug 14, 5. Spandau 8, 6. Marseille 7, 7. OSC 6, 8. Sabadell 4
Group A (Wednesday)
19.00 (16.00 CET) Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB)
18.30 Pro Recco (ITA) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)
19.00 Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
19.00 Jadran Split (CRO) v NC Vouliagmeni (GRE)
Standings: 1. Barceloneta 24, 2. Olympiacos 22, 3. Recco 21, 4. Vouliagmeni 13, 5. Jadran 10, 6. Radnicki 9, 7. Hannover 3, 8. Dinamo 3
