Courtesy: LEN
After splendid finals concluded the women’s competitions, now it’s time to see the first legs of the men’s endgames. The Euro Cup and the Challenger Cup finals both promise excitement in four matches.
The women’s finals saw historical duels as both featured teams from the same nation, something never happened before (Spain’s Sabadell bettered Mataro in the Champions League and Hungary’s UVSE beat Ferencvaros in the Euro Cup Women). Among the men, diversity rules, teams from four different nations are chasing the two trophies.
In the Euro Cup, two greats of European water polo history are out to rediscover some of their old glory. It’s been eleven years since Italy’s Savona reached the final for the last time – indeed, they were the first winners of the renamed cup in 2012, after having won the LEN Trophy twice (2005, 2011 – they played three straight finals between 2010 and 2012). If they could clinch the cup this time, they would tie Brescia’s record which top the all-time ranks with four victories in this competition.
Hungary’s Vasas was a household name back in the 80s, won the Champions League (Champions Cup) twice in 1979 and 1984 and they also had three Cupwinners’ Cup trophies in their cabinet, from 1985, 1995 and 2002. A year later they also reached the final in the last edition of that event – and that marks their very last appearance in a European final, so they return to the big stage after 20 years.
Both sides went through some thrills en route to the last stage. Both were on the edge in the eight-finals despite winning by five in the first leg, but Vasas prevailed against Crvena Zvezda (SRB) and Savona survived the tour in Ortigia. The quarter-finals were easy, both pulled off double victories, Savona over Tourcoing and Vasas over Sabac. The semis were tougher, though after losing the first leg, Vasas earned a big win against Panionios (GRE). On contrary, Savona were entangled into another huge fight with a fellow Italian side and after a draw in Trieste, their goalie Ginamarco Nicosia netted the winner two seconds from time in a 7 on 6.
The Challenger Cup final will be historical anyway – this is the first edition of LEN’s brand new competition and neither of the two finalists tasted European triumph in the past. Spain’s Terrassa are yet to lose a game in the series – they won all their six matches and were barely challenged on their way to the final.
Greece’s Apollon can also look back on a fine marching, they had only one loss, in the semis in Tenerife, but hit back with a 10-goal routing at home to enjoy some big time now.
What’s common in both finals that it’s hard to make predictions – teams seem to be on the same level, so balanced encounters are in sight. Both matches can be followed via free live stream on www.len.eu
Euro Cup, Final – 15 April
19.00 RN Savona (ITA) v A Hid-Vasas-Plaket (HUN)
Challenger Cup, Final – 19 April
19.45 GS Apollon Smyrnis (GRE) v CN Terrassa (ESP)
Second legs: 29 April