Champions League Men: Tension rises with plenty at stake as halfway mark arrives

Things are getting serious in all four groups as the men’s Champions League Group Stage hits the halfway mark this week. Teams already having lost one or even two matches might face the exit after another defeat, so tensions will grow across the eight pools where more top-level action is in sight this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Group A
(Local times shown)

Tues 20.30
Vasas Plaket (HUN) v HAVK Mladost (CRO)

Head-to-head: 0-4
2011-12: 6-10 (qualifications), 7-11 (bronze medal). 2010-11: 8-9, 7-8

After back-to-back defeats, this is Vasas’s last chance to stay in contention for the qualifying spots – though even at home, they are not the favourites to win this match.

Mladost’s star-studded line-up looks clearly stronger, and another three points would further extend the advantage they gained over Radnicki by beating them on Day 2.

Indeed, Vasas have produced contrasting performances – they delivered a brilliant display of offensive play in Kragujevac on Day 1, yet two weeks later they collapsed at home, scoring only five goals against Olympiacos – something hardly expected in today’s new form of water polo.

Meanwhile, Mladost had some fine moments in Piraeus in the opening round and then took the upper hand in a thrilling encounter with Radnicki. The Croats are on the rise and seem poised to claim another three points in Budapest.

Group A
(Local times shown)

Wed 20.30
SPD Radnicki (SRB) v Olympiacos SFP (GRE)

Head-to-head: 1-4 (1d)
2022-23: 7-13, 10-10. 2021-22: 7-11, 10-8. 2014-15: 7-13, 7-8

Radnicki fell short in the endgame in Zagreb, and if they lose to Olympiacos at home, their chances of advancing would suffer a serious blow. This team, strengthened year after year with more Serbian Olympic gold medallists, has been built to reach the finals.

It’s not yet a do-or-die game, but if they fail to beat the Greeks, each of their remaining three will effectively become one.

At the same time, Olympiacos showed real quality in the first two rounds. While they are in a transition period under new coach Elvis Fatovic, whose approach differs from the playing style the team had grown used to in the past, this has not been reflected in their results so far.

What’s more, after two rounds, they have conceded the fewest goals (14) in the field. The Serbs, by contrast, allowed 16 against Vasas and 17 against Mladost.

It’s going to be a great test for both sides, with plenty at stake.

Group B
(Local times shown)

Tues 20.30
Pro Recco (ITA) v VK Jadran Split (CRO)

Head-to-head: 4-0
2023-24: 13-10, 18-9. 2022-23: 13-8, 14-7

Perhaps not only on paper, but in reality as well, this is shaping up to be another fine home match for Recco. So far, the eight-time winners have had no trouble handling their assignments in what could be called the “Yugo Challenge.”

The draw has paired them against powerhouses from the former Yugoslavia – after facing the Serbs (Novi Beograd) and the Montenegrins (Jadran m:tel), the Croats are now next in line.

And Jadran do not even remotely resemble a team capable of posing a real threat to the strongest sides. They lost to both Herceg Novi and NBG by three goals, and their trip to Recco doesn’t promise a better outcome.

Still, in Italy, there is great respect for their rivals, as goalie Gianmarco Nicosia put it: “Jadran Split are a team with great qualities. They’re complete in every aspect, in every position.

“They have an excellent goalkeeper and several players from the Croatian national team. So we’ll be facing a very strong side with top-level players, and even though they haven’t earned any points yet in the Champions League in their first two games, I believe we’ll meet a team eager to get a good result against us.

“The key aspect, as always, will be our defence, and at the same time, we must stick to our own style of play and keep trying to apply it as a unit.”

Group B
(Local times shown)

Tues 20.30
VK Novi Beograd (SRB) v Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi (MNE)

Head-to-head: –
Never met in CL.

Though they have no shared history in the Champions League, the Regional League has seen a series of clashes between these two.

Interestingly, while the first five encounters went to NBG, Jadran managed to break that run last January, and their latest battle also ended in the Montenegrins’ favour, after a shootout.

There’s no doubt this is a clear sign that another fierce fight is in sight, where small details may separate the rivals. And this could well have an impact on the qualifying path.

Since both teams managed to defeat Jadran Split, but fell to Recco, the second spot behind the Italians will likely go to the team that comes out on top in this duel.

Group C
(Local times shown)

Tues 19.30
CSM Oradea (ROU) v AN Brescia (ITA)

Head-to-head: 1-5
2024-25: 7-7, pen: 7-6. 2019-20: 1-18 (qualification). 2018-19: 4-16 (qual.). 2017-18: 8-15 (qual). 2013-14: 6-10, 7-18

After their stunning win over Primorac two weeks ago, Oradea are no longer considered an underdog. Though Brescia still looks stronger, Primorac – who pushed the Italians into a close battle on Day 1 – also came to the Romanian champions’ home aiming to collect three points, but not only left empty-handed, they were beaten badly.

Oradea’s coach Petar Kovacevic strongly believes his team can deliver another upset.

“The victory against Primorac Kotor, though extremely important, is now history. We have to focus 100% on the next match, because we are facing another very difficult and strong opponent.

“Compared to last season, we have strengthened our squad with three good players – Sebastian Oltean, Bogdan Remes and Raul Bindea. They should bring added quality to the team. So we should see progress and be better.”

Brescia’s legendary boss, Sandro Bovo, is also aware that playing Oradea at home won’t be just a walk in the park.

“It will be an important and difficult match against a very complete team, strong in every position and with great individual quality,” Bovo said. “They are well coached, very organised, and fresh from an excellent performance and result in the Champions League. For us, the key will be our defence – both in even situations and in man-downs.”

The Italians already notched a crucial away win in Kotor, and two weeks ago they also produced an impressive performance against Ferencvaros – not many teams are able to score 17 against the title-holders.

However, they still need to tighten their defence, as conceding 21 goals even against FTC seems a bit too much.

Jacopo Alesiani knows that too, “It’s going to be a tough game for two main reasons – first, they’re a strong and well-organised side that’s been performing well in the Champions League for a couple of years now. And second, we’re playing at their home, where they always give their best, as we’ve already seen in this European season.

“We’ll need to focus on our own game plan, execute what we’ve been working on, and I’m confident we’ll do well.”

Group C
(Local times shown)

Wed 20.30
FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN) v VPK Primorac Kotor (MNE)

Head-to-head: –
Never met in CL.
Euro Cup: 13-10 (2017), 17-4 (2015)

After two straight defeats, including an embarrassingly heavy one in Oradea, the task for Primorac is clear – to bounce back. That would be challenging enough for the young Montenegrin side, but doing so in the home of Ferencvaros is almost a mission impossible.

Fradi look as strong as ever, at least compared to the previous two seasons. They always find a way to win, even under the heaviest pressure – as shown in the Super Cup final against Recco and in their most recent away game in Brescia.

At home against Primorac, they are expected to dominate from the start, and with the depth and quality they possess, it’s hard to imagine anything other than a one-sided contest.

Primorac goalie Dimitrije Risticevic can only promise to try to withstand the pressure. “On Wednesday, we play against Ferencvaros, the best team in Europe at this moment. It will be a very difficult game for us, after a very bad one in Oradea. This time, we will try to show a better impression and fight until the end in Budapest.”

Coach Sakis Kechagias echoed that sentiment. “We are facing a very strong team with great individual quality and very organised in every part of the game. We will try to prepare our team in the best possible way and we will give our best.”

“As usual, we are to focus on ourselves in this match as well,” Fradi coach Balazs Nyeki said. “Kotor lost their last game, but their result in Oradea is deceptive because they’re a good team.

“They’ve previously played good matches against Brescia and Novi Beograd too, showing that they are capable of playing good water polo and can create danger with ease.

“Kotor combine the characteristics of Montenegrin, South Slavic, and Greek water polo very well. That’s their primary structure, and that’s what we are preparing for.”

Group D
(Local times shown)

Wed 18.30
Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v Zodiac CNAB (ESP)

Head-to-head: 0-8 (1d)
2022-23: 5-20, 7-16. 2021-22: 8-12, 10-12. 2019-20: 8-16. 2018-19: 12-13, 7-13. 2016-17: 9-9, 10-12

Apart from that lone draw in their very first Champions League match nine years ago, CNAB have never had any problems defeating Hannover in their next eight meetings.

Still, Waspo’s outstanding finish in Sabadell, which gave the Germans a stunning victory, should serve as a warning sign for the Spanish side that underestimating Hannover would be a grave mistake – especially after CNAB themselves suffered an upset, losing at home to Marseille on Day 2.

Last season’s bronze medallists simply cannot afford another shock, and winning is a must this time.

CNAB coach Fran Fernandez echoed that in his pre-game statement: “This is a very important match for us, not only because of the three points at stake, but also to regain our confidence after the defeat at home against Marseille.

“We’re returning to Hannover, a club and a pool we’re fond of and have great respect for. After their win against CN Sabadell, I expect a confident and brave opponent.

“They’re playing at home and have nothing to lose, which makes them even more dangerous. As for us, I hope and believe we’ll recover our best version, because it will be necessary to earn the three points. The team has responded very well in the past few days, and we’re eager for the game to start.”

Barceloneta’s goalie, world champion Unai Aguirre, shares the same opinion. “First of all, we have maximum respect for Hannover, they played very well against Sabadell.

“They are a good team with new young players, it will be a tough match. We are a better team and if we play at our level, we won’t have problems winning. It is important for us, as we lost against Marseille and we want to win again in the Champions League.”

In the other camp, the appetite is growing after their great win on Day 2.

“The match against Sabadell was proof we are growing as a team and we are on the right path,” Waspo’s seasoned veteran Marko Macan said. “It would be too much to state we are the favourites in the next two matches or that we expect to win, but what I can say for sure is we want to keep growing and we will give our best to put as much pressure as possible on our opponents. And with that approach, we can secretly hope for a surprise.”

His Croatian team-mate, Luka Lozina, is also in an upbeat mood ahead of the game. “We are looking forward to our Champions League game. We are coming off a big comeback victory against Sabadell, which helps us to grow as a team.

“Facing Barceloneta is a hard task; they are an excellent team with huge depth and many great players. On the other hand, we are playing at home and want to collect more points.”

Group D
(Local times shown)

Wed 20.30
CN Marseille (FRA) v KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP)

Head-to-head: 1-1
2022-23: 11-13, 9-6

These two sides have shown very different faces so far. As the biggest contrast, Marseille thrashed Hannover on Day 1 – the same side that brought down Sabadell in the following round. And while the Spaniards blew a two-goal lead in the last three minutes and left Waspo’s pool empty-handed, Marseille played one of their best games in recent years to upend CNAB in Barcelona – a brilliant feat in anybody’s language.

Marseille’s coach Milos Scepanovic is eager to see another thrilling display of water polo from his side. “We’re really looking forward to this match. We know we’ll be facing a strong team, but we’re determined to show our qualities once again in front of our home crowd. This game is crucial for the rest of the Group Stage, and a victory would confirm our great performance against CNA Barceloneta.”

Efstathios Kalogeropoulos, who joined Marseille this season, is also optimistic. “We know that Sabadell are a good team, so our focus is to build on the momentum we had from our last two wins and keep improving.

“Our main focus is defence. We want to stay compact, communicate well, and through that we can control the game. When we defend like this, our attack follows in the same tempo, and we will be able to get the three points.

“Overall, I think we’ve shown good progress, and if we keep this mentality and consistency, we’ll keep getting better each game.”

In Sabadell, sitting in fourth position with zero points, they know this is perhaps their last chance to make the top eight.

“We know the visit to the Marseille pool is very challenging, and even more so if we take into account that on the second day the French team won in Barceloneta,” Sabadell’s coach Quim Colet said. “We have to plan a very serious match, where our players have to show why they are playing in the Champions League. The intention is to reach the last quarter with options still in hand to win the match.”

Sabadell’s top ace Sergi Cabanas only wants to look forward. “If we think about the previous two games we played in this competition, we will be out soon. We have to face the Marseille game as if it were a final and go all out against them – this is the only way to play this match and to have a real chance of winning.

“They are a team that makes the Final Four almost every year, so we are talking about a super team, but we will certainly have our chances.”

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Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics

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