Courtesy: LEN
Another busy weekend is ahead in European water polo: the hunt for the trophies kicks off in Palermo where the Italian side clashes with Sabadell in the first leg of the men’s Euro Cup final. On another island in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta, four teams clash to grab the last two available spots at the women’s European Water Polo Championship.
The men’s Euro Cup final promises thrilling battles as both sides are going for a historical first: neither Palermo, nor Sabadell have ever won a European trophy. The Sicilians can put back Italy on the winning track here as the nation once had a stronghold on this competition, winning it 10 times – though their last triumph came in 2016 (by Brescia, for a record-breaking fourth time).
Spain had two victories so far in this competition, the last happened long ago, in 2003 (by CN Barcelona) – and Sabadell was the last team from the country having made the final in 2012 but lost to Savona. In the quarters, the Spaniards took revenge as they managed to beat Savona in a fantastic penalty shootout which was decided by the 34th shot. It shows that a couple of times they were on the edge of bowing out, but they survived all scares and now they have a chance to go after their women’s team which had been the most successful side in Europe in the past decade with five Euro League titles.
Palermo has never been close to play for a European trophy but this season they had run a very convincing campaign. They finished atop in both rounds of the prelims, thrashed Croatia’s once-premier side Mladost home and away in the quarters and lost a nailbiter to fellow Sicilians Ortigia in the semis in the return leg, though it did not matter after the first leg’s walkover result of 10-0.
A couple of hundred kilometres from Sicily, on Malta, four women teams clash in the most exciting European Championship qualification group. While France seems to be the favourite, Israel will be challenged by Portugal in an exciting contest as these two had fierce encounters in 2018 where Israel finally beat its rival to advance to the big stage for the first time ever. Host Malta may have a word though their males are the ones who usually make the cut (which they did again in February).
Men’s Euro Cup Final – CLICK here for RESULTS
1st leg (5 March) 15.00 Telimar Palermo (ITA) v Astralpool Sabadell (ESP)
Second leg: 26 March
Women’s European Championship qualifications (4-6 March) – CLICK here for RESULTS
Group C (Gzira): France, Israel, Portugal, Malta