Lille progress to Euro Cup quarter-finals; Plebiscito have half a foot in final eight

After the second day of prelims in the women’s Euro Cup, we know six teams who have already booked their places in the quarter-finals. 

Eger, Ethnikos, FTC, UVSE, Vouliagmeni and Lille are all confirmed to the final eight, while Group D will keep us waiting for the final two teams,  ahead of tomorrow’s showdown between De Zaan and Terrassa.

Lille have qualified for the quarterfinals of this competition (previously the LEN Trophy) for the first time since 2013, with a 16-7 victory over ZVL this evening. The pressure is now lifted off the reigning French champions for tomorrow’s meeting with Vouliagmeni. 

It comes as no surprise to see the three Hungarian teams are all in the pot for the quarterfinal draw. Eger obliterated Sirens ASC 28-3, while in Group B, UVSE and Ferencvaros both beat their French opponents, Nancy and Mulhouse, by 13 goals. The Lilac side of Budapest meets the Green side tomorrow, in what promises to be a grudge match between two bitter rivals. 

The two Greek clubs also had no trouble making the final eight. Reigning champions, Ethnikos, are guaranteed a spot in the final eight ahead of a difficult, but ultimately futile, assignment against Eger tomorrow.  The winners from 2003, Vouliagmeni, could go complete the perfect run in these prelims, if they can navigate a victory over the other qualified team in Group C, Lille. 

All that needs to be settled now are the two quarter-final berths assigned to Group D. 

Plebiscito Padova stormed away in the fourth quarter today to produce a vital 11-7 victory over Terrassa. Meanwhile, with De Zaan obliterating Pacense this evening by thirty goals, and Plebiscito likely to do something similar tomorrow, Terrassa’s only chance of making the quarter-finals is by defeating De Zaan tomorrow by a margin of three or more goals.

In accordance with the head-to-head goals rule, a draw or even a victory by two goals will be insufficient for Terrassa to avoid elimination. If De Zaan wins, they will finish first in their group and qualify along with Plebiscito, no matter how Plebiscito does against Pacense. For Terrassa, its all riding on their game at 10:30am CET against De Zaan. 

While French water polo can be happy for Lille, the three other teams in the competition; Nice, Nancy and Mulhouse, end their European campaigns for 2023 here. ZVL are also out, along with Sirens, Pacense and Spandau.

Group A

As anticipated, both Eger and Ethnikos secured the victories necessary to advance to the Euro Cup quarterfinals before the two clubs meet tomorrow morning. 

Eger surpassed Ethnikos’ tally of 26 goals when they faced the Sirens, netting two more to win 28-3. Eger’s top goal-scorer in the OB I this season, Csenge Szellak, turned into the joint-top goal-scorer in this match, who alongside Daniella Molnar and Patricia Jancso, netted five goals. 

A score of 8-0 in the first quarter gave no indication that the game would be close, and it wasn’t. The Sirens will hope they can salvage some sort of pride tomorrow against Nice. 

In the following game, the hosts Ethnikos got off to a quick start, establishing a lead that they maintained throughout. After taking a 3-0 advantage into the second quarter, they soon led 7-3 at the turnaround, with Ioulia Kontoni leading the way with a first half hat-trick. All three of Nice’s goals came from Ema Vernoux. 

After the break, Ethnikos slowed the pace of the game. Nice found a groove in front of goal, but the Blue-Whites had an answer for it all; Kontoni added two more in the third, which proceeded four different scorers for Ethnikos( Chatzikyriaki, Rakintzi, Alkistis Benekou and Katsimpri) in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. 

Sirens ASC Malta 3 – 28 ZF Eger (0-8, 1-7, 1-5, 1-8)

Sirens: A. Amato, E. Montfort, E. Amato, C. Amato, M. Perici Ferrante 1, K. Navarro, K. Agius, D. Micallef 2, Z. Bartolo, Z. Cutajar, K. Agius

Eger: A. Kiss, P. Janco 5, I. Borsi 4, D. Molnar 5, Z. Katona 2, S. Szilagyi, D. Czigany 2, B. Kekesi 2, F. Bodi 1, C. Szellak 5, D. Szilagyi 2, M. Dulic

 

Ethnikos 15 – 9 Olympic Nice (3-0, 4-3, 4-3, 4-3)

Ethnikos: E. Sotireli, A. Karampetsou 1, M. Borisova 2, A. Klapsinou, I. Kontoni 5, E. Katsimpri 1, F. Chatzikyriaki 1, A. Benekou 2, M. Rakintzi 1, E. Kanetidou, I. Benekou 1, C. Andrews 1, A. Bekri

Nice: M. Chabrier, L. Vernoux, B. Van de Velde, J. Kohli, K. Noy 1, A. Grass, M. Barbieux 2, V. Tamas 1, E. Vernoux 5, L. Fraja, Y. Deschampt, I. Di Bartolo, C. Vidal

 

Standings

1. ZF Eger – 2 – 6pts (Q)
2. Ethnikos – 2 – 6pts (Q)
3. Olympic Nice – 2 – 0pts
4. Sirens ASC Malta  -2 – 0pts

Group B

On day two in Mulhouse, the Hungarians and French swapped partners, but the outcome was the same. Nancy couldn’t hold off UVSE, while FTC had no real trouble against Mulhouse. 

UVSE wore down Nancy, and ran out 17-4 winners. There was a clear difference in the quality of the two teams, and that was reflected in the scoreline. 

Eszter Varro has hit a purple streak for the Lilacs in Europe, following up her hat-trick from yesterday with another four goals today. The experienced hand of Gabi Szucs, UVSE’s captain, netted three, as did the OB I’s top goal scorer so far this season, Kinga Peresztegi-Nagy. 

The game itself was close, for all of twelve minutes. Nancy managed to keep a 3-3 parity into the second quarter, but were blown away by four goals before half-time (7-3), with Ujpest leading by seven goals heading into the last period. 

A tired Nancy couldn’t give any more in the last eight; and the reigning Hungarian champions kept them at a blank. 

Meanwhile, Greta Gurisatti scored an unbelievable eight goals as FTC defeated Mulhouse 18-5. 

Mulhouse kept the score at 3-1 through the first eight minutes, but their defence and game completely imploded in the second and third periods, during which Fradi exhibited truly devastating offensive movements. 

Ironically, the two Mulhouse players who had the greatest impact in the game,  Lili Forgacs and Kinga Mihaly, are both Hungarian. Both have played for Budapest clubs, but not for FTC. 

The enticing matchup for tomorrow will be between the two greatest Budapest rivals. UVSE will still be stinging from their last meeting in the Hungarian Cup, but Ferencvaros will be ecstatic if they can swoop in and take the group’s top spot at UVSE’s expense. 

Grand Nancy 4 – 17 UVSE (2-3, 1-4, 1-4, 0-6)

Nancy: L. Council, C. Mari, A. Sabouriat, L. Bachelier 1, C. Hanzo, M. Betard, P. Vizcarra, S. Pacheco Herce 2, C. Melik, L. Fanara, K. Benlekbir 1, A. Gabriele, P. Martineau-Peret

UVSE: A. Magyari, T. Aubeli 2, E. Macsai 2, K. Hajdu, G. Szucs 3, E. Varro 4, Z. Lendvay 1, P. Szegedi 1, P. Tiba 1, N. Golopencza, K. Peresztegi-Nagy 3, S. Golopencza

 

Mulhouse WP 5 – 18 FTC Telekom (1-3, 1-6, 0-5, 3-4)

Mulhouse: L. Cruz Mancebo, V. Heurtaux, M. Le Roux, L. Forgacs 1, L. Guillet, L. Andres, K. Mihaly 2, C. Bouloukbachi 2, A. Van Dyke, V. Kretzmann-Bahia, T. Raspo, A. Daule, R. Edgerton

FTC: B. Neszmely, B. Vosseberg 2, Z. Mate 2, G. Gurisatti 8, P. Pocze, E. Millot 2, D. Leimeter, A. Illes, S. Kuna 1, P. Petik, D. Toth-Csabai 1, D. Domsodi, L. Greso

 

Standings

1. UVSE – 2 – 6pts (Q)
2. FTC Telekom – 2 – 6pts (Q)
3. Mulhouse WP – 2 – 0pts
4. Grand Nancy – 2 – 0pts

Group C

In a major victory for French water polo, Lille has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Euro Cup, where they will join Vouliagmeni, whom they will face tomorrow to determine the group’s top spot. 

The defending French champions are assured of a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating ZVL 1886 16-7 this evening. 

Hungarian Orsolya Hertzka was Lille’s leading scorer with four goals

In a game that was decided in the third quarter; two early scores from Russian Anna Kochetova, and braces from Myriam Oucahche, Erica Hardy, and Hertzka gave the French an insurmountable lead. 

The pressure is now off Anestis Pesmatzoglou’s team ahead of their clash with Vouliagmeni tomorrow. The former Nireas Chalandriou and Rethymnou coach would love to exact a victory over his countrymen.

Vouliagmeni had no trouble in booking their place in the quarter-finals, stamping and sealing their ticket for the next round with a 23-8 downing of German side Spandau 04 Berlin. 

The attacking prowess at the disposal of Kiki Liosi and her side was simply too much for the Germans today, with the likes of Greek International Athina Giannopoulou, and nineteen-year-old junior Foivi Angelidi both hitting Spandau for four in this game.  

A 7-0 blow-out by the Nautical Club in the third made the scoreline look a bit thorny for the Germans – whose final chance at taking a decent result home comes tomorrow against ZVL. 

NC Vouliagmeni 23 – 8 Spandau 04 Berlin (7-4, 3-1, 7-0, 6-3)

Vouliagmeni: M. Kotsioni, S. Kaifa 3, D. Kalogeropoulou, E. Elliniadi 1, A. Giannopoulou 4, N. Krassa 2, E. Tankeeva 2, E. Wright 3, K. Stratidaki 1, D. Andreadi, M. Mimidi, F. Angelidi, E. Patra

Spandau: J. Milicich, E. Koch, M. Linder 1, I. Deike 2, C. Weber, N. Busauerova 3, N. Zelmer, U. Doerries, D. Czirbus 1, I. Riley 1, E. Houghton, M. Tutusaus Alcaraz, A. Oldenburg

LUC Metropole 16 – 7 ZVL 1886 (5-2, 3-1, 7-3, 3-1)

Lille: M. Rycraw, M. Ouchache 1, L. Baes, G. Fitaire 1, E. Hardy 3, G. Deike, V. Kordonskaia 2, E. Bovali, O. Hertzka 4, M. O’Reilly 1, N. Meijer 1, A. Kochetova 3, E. Lefebvre

ZVL:J. Oosting, D. Kammerman 3, L. Roels 1, R. De Kleer 1, L. Verhagen, N. Zwiers, D. Gras 1, E. Van der Schalk, L. Terpstra, M. Van Veen, T. Van der Meer 1, J. Joor, Y. Van der Waal

Standings

1. NC Vouliagmeni – 2 – 6pts (Q)
2. LUC Metropole – 2 – 6pts (Q)
3. ZVL 1886 – 2 – 0pts
4. Spandau 04 Berlin – 2 – 0pts

 

 

Group D

The game of the day, once more, was in Group D, with Plebiscito Padova earning an important, and deserved, 11-7 victory over Terrassa. De Zaan thrashed Pacense 37-7, giving them two wins from two, but who goes through in Group D is still yet to be decided (as already explained). 

Plebiscito Padova recovered well from their wobble yesterday against De Zaan, with a vital 11-7 victory over Terrassa.

Because of its importance, the game lived up to its billing as a nail-biter. 

Padova appeared to be the better team early on, and their extra-player situations made them especially dangerous. 

Terrassa just about hung on in the first though, thanks to a double score from Paula Camus (3-2). 

Into the second, Camus then added her third to tie the game at 3-3. By half time it was 4-4. 

It wasn’t until the third quarter that Terrassa finally got on top of their opponent. After Camus finished her fourth of the contest, Dutch winger Florian Bosveld bagged her second. 

Nonetheless, Stefano Posterivo’s team managed to turn things around in the end, ultimately leading to a Terrassa collapse. Padova went up 8-6 after a pair of goals by Giusy Citino. Then, long-time Padova stalwart, Elisa Queirolo, netted two late goals to end the matter. 

Then, ZV De Zaan defeated Pacense by an astounding thirty goals (37-7). 

In all honestly, the game was over before the conclusion of the first quarter, which ultimately ended 10-0. 

Lieke Rogge ended the game scoring eight goals, double her sister Bente’s total of four. Maxine Schapp bagged a double-hat-trick, while Maud Koopman converted five goals.

Zaan can secure a spot in the quarterfinals if they avoid defeat against Terrassa tomorrow. Even a two-goal loss is acceptable for the Dutch; a tie will suffice. If Terrassa wins by three goals or more, they will join the then-group leaders Plebiscito in advancing. 

 

CN Terrassa 7 – 11 Plebiscito Padova (2-3, 2-1, 2-2, 1-5)

Terrassa: S. Domene, L. Ferrer, K. Paul 1, N. Cuenda, C. Cantero, D. Quinzada, N. Ten Broek, P. Pena, D. Menakerman, P. Camus 4, A. Finestra, F. Bosveld 2, E. Arcas

Plebiscito: L. Teani, L. Barzon 1, V. Valyi, G. Citino 2, E. Queirolo 3, A. Casson 1, A. Millo 1, S. Dario, H. McKelvey 2, C. Meggiato 1, S. Centanni, B. Cassara, C. Giacon

 

ZV De Zaan 37 – 7 CA Pacense (1-0, 9-4, 10-1, 8-2)

Zaan: E. Alander, L. Rogge 8, L. Den Ouden 3, M. Schapp 6, T. Sam 2, E. Roijen 1, S. Vleeshakker 2, M. Koopman 5, D. Sap 2, L. Plugge 1, M. Van Tol 3, B. Rogge 4, B. Van den Dobbelsteen

Pacense: A. Barbosa, L. Matos, C. Quinhentas 2, R. Duarte, J. Texeira 1, M. Matos, A. Andrade, F. Duarte, B. Peixoto 2, M. Dias, V. Freire 1, B. Santiago 1, A. Sousa

 

Standings

1. De Zaan – 2 – 6pts
2. Plebiscito Padova – 2 – 3pts
3. CN Terrassa – 2 – 3pts
4. CA Pacense – 2 – 0pts

 

Schedule 

Sunday 15th January

09:00 – Group A – Olympic Nice vs Sirens ASC Malta

09:30 – Group B – UVSE vs FTC Telekom

09:30 – Group D – ZV De Zaan vs CN Terrassa

10:00 – Group C – Spandau 04 Berlin vs ZVL 1886

11:00 – Group A – Ethnikos Piraeus vs ZF Eger

11:00 – Group D – CA Pacense vs Plebiscito Padova

11:30 – Group B – Mulhouse WP vs Grand Nancy

11:45 – Group C – LUC Metropole vs NC Vouliagmeni

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