Courtesy: LEN Media
The second ‘half’ of the prelims starts with a kind of return legs of the matches played two weeks ago which means that a couple of crucial fixtures is in sight. The most highlighted ones are the clashes featuring Brescia (ITA) and Ferencvaros (HUN), Olympiacos (GRE) and Jug (CRO) and Mladost (CRO) and Szolnok (HUN). Winners of the last two titles, Szolnok (2017) and Olympiacos (2018) might get into danger in case of losing.
In Group A Recco (ITA) and Barceloneta (ESP) are set to further strengthen their leading positions, though the Spaniards have to be cautious as they had some headaches two weeks ago even at home while playing with Steaua BA (ROU).
The most heated clash is expected in Brescia where Super Cup winner Ferencvaros would love to go on collecting points – or at least one which they earned through a miraculous comeback two weeks ago when they netted two goals in the last 45 seconds to save the game to a tie. Fellow Hungarian team Eger had some unexpected hardship in Belgrade a fortnight ago, this time a win is a must for them against Zvezda (SRB) in order to reserve some chance to make the cut again.
In Group B another crucial clash of Mladost and Szolnok already takes place on Tuesday. On Day 7 the 2017 champions came up with a great performance to leave their five-game winless series behind, however, that win bears some value only if they can gain another positive result which won’t be easy as till date no team was able to win a game in Zagreb.
Olympiacos should also trust in its unbeaten run at home and they definitely need to take revenge over Jug since another loss would put the title-holder’s chances to reach the Final 8 into danger in a group where only the top three will go through.
Hannover, holding an automatic berth as the host of the F8, goes for its first win after an embarrassingly big defeat in Berlin. BPM (ITA), the surprise side of the season will have a rocky trip to Split where Jadran seeks is last chance to have some slim hope for the finals and the Croats also wish to hit back after losing narrowly in Busto two weeks ago.
Champions League, Day 8
Group A
18.30 ZF-Eger (HUN) v Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
20.30 Steaua Buchuresti BA (ROU) v Atletic Barceloneta (ESP)
20.30 AN Brescia (ITA) v FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN)
20.30 Pro Recco (ITA) v Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
Standings:
1. Recco 21, 2. Barceloneta 16, 3. Brescia 14, 4. Ferencvaros 13, 5. Eger 9, 6. Dynamo 3, 7. Steaua 3, 8. Zvezda 0
Group B
Tuesday
20.30 HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO) v Szolnoki Dozsa (HUN)
Wednesday
19.00 Waspo Hannover 98 (GER) v Spandau 04 (GER)
20.00 Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v Jug Dubrovnik (CRO)
20.30 Jadran Split (CRO) v BPM Sport Management (ITA)
Standings:
1. Jug 21, 2. Busto BPM 16, 3. Olympiacos 11, 4. Szolnok 9, 4. Mladost 8, 6. Spandau 7, 7. Jadran 3, 8. Hannover 3
Please also see the other file attached featuring quotes from the coaches and players of the respective teams.
For free live streaming of each game, live scoring, stats and play-by-play action visit www.len.eu or download the Champions League App!
