Euro League, Preliminaries – Preview
The women’s Euro League kicks off on the coming weekend and the current stage has never looked so tough as this season’s preliminaries. Nineteen teams will chase the quarter-final berths – and at least 14 sides begin the quest with realistic chances to qualify but only eight shall survive.
Title-holder Kinef Kirishi’s task seems to a be bit easier compared to the challenges the other giants face, still, battling with host Sant Andreu (ESP) and BVSC (HUN) won’t be a comfortable cruising for the Russians.
Last year runner-up, Sabadell – four-time winner since 2011 – should be ready to see off challenges from European Super Cup-holder Dunaujvaros (HUN), Rapallo (ITA) which returns to the European stage and the ever-dangerous Greek side of Vouliagmeni.
The group in Padova is perhaps the most balanced with the host Italians, last year’s LEN Trophy runner-up (also champions in 2015) Olympiacos (GRE), 2016 LEN Trophy winner Mataro (ESP) and Russia’s Ugra which has made the QFs a couple of times in the past.
And Group D in Athens also promises some outstanding clashes featuring two of last year’s Final Four participants UVSE (HUN) and Orizzonte (ITA) – in fact, they played for the bronze last season, the Italians took it – but Uralochka (RUS) and host Ethnikos (GRE) are also set to have a shot at the quarters.
Group A (Barcelona)
- Kinef Kirishi (RUS)
- Sant Andreu (ESP)
- BVSC-Zuglo (HUN)
- SLV Leiden (NED)
- Mladost Zagreb (CRO)
Group B (Kosice)
- Astralpool Sabadell (ESP)
- Dunaujvarosi Egyetem-Maarsk Graphics (HUN)
- Rapallo Nuoto (olasz)
- NC Vouliagmeni (GRE)
- Olympia Kosice (SVK)
Group C (Padova)
- Plebiscito Padova (ITA)
- Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
- CN Mataro (ESP)
- Ugra Khanthy-Mansiysk (RUS)
Group D (Athens)
- UVSE-Hunguest Hotels (HUN)
- Orizzonte Catania (ITA)
- Uralochka Zlatoust (RUS)
- Lille UC (FRA)
- Ethnikos Piraeus (GRE)
To keep up with water polo news from around the globe, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
