The clash of two former champions, Szolnok (won in 2017) and Olympiacos (2018) is definitely the most-awaited match of the fourth round. The Croatian derby of Jadran Split and Jug Dubrovnik also promises something special.
The first day of the fourth round presents thrilling encounters. 2017 champion Szolnok takes on 2018 winner Olympiacos in the most highlighted match-up: the Hungarians lost to Barceloneta in the previous round and in order to keep up with the front-runners they would need a win against the Greeks. Last year’s runner up is 3 for 3 so far though neither of their last two home wins came in a convincing manner. Especially the one against Jadran Carine ten days ago suggested that Olympiacos was yet to reach the top shape.
Barceloneta faces a tough test in Kazan: the Russians seem to be more dangerous at home and a positive result would definitely boost their plan to clinch an F8 berth despite being a newcomer. The all-Croatian contest in Split offers no less excitement – though Jug is the definite favourite (beat Jadran with ease in the domestic competition two weeks ago) but in-house battles can draw surprising outcomes at any time.
The game in Berlin between Spandau and Jadran Carine might already be labelled as a live-or-die scenario – both sides seek its first win respectively and the loser would fall behind quite painfully.
In Group B, the three leaders have easy tasks at first glance. Title-holder FTC visits winless Dinamo in Tbilisi, the Hungarians, fresh from retaining the Super Cup in Marseille, are set to add their first away win after three straight home victories. OSC opened its campaign with three wins too and they are definitely stronger than Marseille though the French just demonstrated against the fellow Magyar team in the Super Cup final that they were capable of causing head-aches as they held a four-goal lead before bowing to Ferencvaros. Stunningly, Recco left valuable points in Zagreb in the third round so they need to
be cautious in their next away match in Hannover. Still, they have some nice memories from the Final Eight in last May when they beat the host Germans 14-10 in the quarter-finals – a result would surely satisfy them again.
The brave boys of Mladost, grabbing a point in an incredible finish against Recco, are set to continue their adventures in Terrassa on Saturday. It’s a tricky tour, all in all, the Spaniards look to have more comfort playing at home and their win would somewhat devalue the Croats’ superb performance in the previous day – while a
Champions League, Round 4
(all times are local)
Group A (Friday)
19.00 Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v Jadran Carine Herceg Novi (MNE)
19.00 Jadran Split (CRO) v Jug Adriatic Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO)
19.00 Szolnoki Dozsa (HUN) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
20.00 Sintez Kazan (RUS) v Zodiac Barceloneta (ESP)
Standings: 1. Olympiacos 9, 2. Jug 9, 3. Barceloneta 6, 4. Szolnok 6, 5. Sintez 3, 6.
Spandau 1, 7. Jadran Split 1, 8. Jadran Carine 0
Group B (Saturday)
18.30 Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN)
19.00 Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v Pro Recco (ITA)
19.00 CN Terrassa (ESP) v HAVK Mladost Zagreb (CRO)
20.30 A Híd-OSC Budapest (HUN) v CN Marseille (FRA)
Standings: 1. OSC 9, 2. FTC 9, 3. Recco 7, 4. Mladost 4, 5. Terrassa 3, 6. Marseille 3,
7. Hannover 0, 8. Tbilisi 0
Please also see the other file attached featuring quotes from the coaches and
players of the respective teams.
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