Courtesy: LEN
The first leg in the Champions League Women quarter-finals produced a series of brilliant matches and some stunning results. While Sabadell seem to be in a comfortable position after a five-goal victory at home, the three sides clinching away wins, Dunaujvaros, Mataro and Orizzonte may prepare for some hot moments on Saturday.
Sabadell downed SIS Roma two weeks ago and the five-time winner Spanish side are on their way to another Final Four appearance. In the last 11 editions, since 2011, Sabadell made the gold medal match 8 times and clinched the trophy 5 times, and it’s hard to see that the Italians can come back from five goals down in aggregate.
The other three duels brought away wins but not even Dunaujvaros might feel themselves secure. The young Hungarian team earned a stunning 4-goal victory in Barcelona, against Mediterrani, to add another chapter to their amazing run which had also included two draws against Italy’s Orizzonte and Padova in the prelims. At the same time, they were unable to win their last two league matches at home so it’s yet to be seen which face they’ll show this time.
At certain stages Orizzonte looked to have booked their F4 berth in Glyfada when they led 4-10 early in the second half. However, the Greeks staged a big comeback and at the end lost by only one goal which kept the return leg wide open. Glyfada, the first Greek team ever to win the top competition back in 2000, have been waiting for the return to the big stage since 2007, record 8-time champion Orizzonte are poised to make the cut for the first time after 2018.
Last but not least the grand clash of Spain’s new emperors Mataro and title-holder Olympiacos may still offer some twists and turns. Mataro were dominating the first leg, but their rivals kept coming back and could reduce the gap to two goals while also missing two penalties. With star-studded line-ups at both camps, this match is a must-watch show for all water polo fans.
For live streaming, livescores, stories, stats and more, visit https://www.len.eu/
Champions League Women, Quarter-finals, 2nd leg
- 12.45 Assolim CN Mataro (ESP) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) – first leg: 11-9
- 17.00 Dunujvaros VC (HUN) v CN Mediterrani (ESP) – first leg: 13-9
- 17.00 Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA) v ANO Glyfada iRepair (GRE) – first leg: 14-13
- 20.00 SIS Roma (ITA) v Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) – first leg: 10-15
Euro Cup Women, Semi-finals, 1st leg – preview
Padova versus Hungary, chapter I
With three Hungarian sides reaching the semis, Italy’s Padova’s quest to finally lift a European trophy looks anything but easy.
Padova were bronze medallist last season in the Euro League (now Champions League) and before that they had lost two finals of the second-tier cup in 2015 and 2017 (then called LEN Trophy). Now they reached the semis of newly shaped Euro Cup Women but they face tough challenges.
To lift a trophy, they need to beat two Magyar rivals – and the first one seems to be toughest one right away. Ferencvaros are the freshly crowned Hungarian cup winner and yet to lose a game in the domestic league, so they are in great shape and hungry for European glory. And pushing Padova away may promise them a historical triumph as they are considered favourites against either of the two other semi-finalists.
In the all-Hungarian clash UVSE face off Eger. Though UVSE is no longer the formidable top team of their country – had been part of the last two editions of the Euro League F4 –, against Eger they still have a fine chance to make the final for the third time (in the LEN Trophy they came first in 2017 and were runner-up in 2019). For Eger, it’s a historical occasion, they can make a European final for the very first time.
For livestream, livescoring, stats, stories and more, visit https://www.len.eu/
Euro Cup Women, Semi-finals, 1st leg
- 18.00 Plebiscito Padova (ITA) v FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN)
- 20.30 Tigra-ZF Eger (HUN) v UVSE Budapest (HUN)