The Champions League title hunt resumes tomorrow after a two-month break, with eight teams competing for spots in the Final Four in Malta.
The first matches of the Quarterfinal Sstage will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday,
Group A
Participants: Novi Beograd, Olympiacos, Jadran Split, Marseille
Group A is quite balanced, as all teams enter the second half of the season with realistic chances of reaching the Final Four.
Many doubted Novi Beograd‘s potential at the start of the season due to the significant rejuvenation of the team last summer. However, the Serbian and Regional League champion showcased its quality and potential through strong performances against formidable rivals, especially in the Regional League. Young players like Vasilije Martinovic and goalkeeper Milan Glusac have seized their opportunities and delivered good performances. The experienced leaders of the team, including Milos Cuk, Angelos Vlachopoulos, and Dimitrios Skoumpakis, continue to be pivotal as Novi Beograd holds its place among the top European clubs, despite the rejuvenation.
Olympiacos is regarded as the top favorite in this group since the Greeks took advantage of the turmoil at Pro Recco last summer, signing Konstantinos Kakaris and Gergo Zalanki (who replaced Marton Vamos, now back at Ferencvaros). The club has also renewed contracts with most key players from the previous season. After a series of ups and downs in the first half of the Champions League, it’s time for the Greeks to demonstrate the full potential of their strengthened squad.
Ioannis Fountoulis (Olympiacos) Photo by Laszlo Balogh
Jadran Split and Marseille also have respectable players on their rosters.
One of Jadran’s biggest reinforcements last summer was Marko Bijac, who arrived from Olympiacos, and was the goalkeeper with the most saves in the Preliminary Round of the Champions League (70).
Marseille, the team that is a mixture of youngsters and experienced players, has always been a tough rival to the favorites in the last several seasons, and nobody underestimates the French.
Tomorrow, Novi Beograd will host Marseille, and Olympiacos will arrive in Split to play against Jadran.
Novi Beograd and Marseille played each other five times in the Champions League. The French club has never beaten the Serbs, but Novi Beograd has achieved only two easy wins. An exciting clash is in sight.
Similarly, Olympiacos and Jadran boast a comparable history, having met seven times in the 21st century. Olympiacos has won all seven encounters, though the margin of victory between the teams has narrowed in recent seasons.
Tuesday, February 4
All games start at 20.00 CET. Follow the scores live on Total Waterpolo Arena
Group B
Participants: Ferencvaros, Barceloneta, Oradea, Savona
In contrast to Group A, the favorites in Group B are clear: reigning champion Ferencvaros and Barceloneta.
Like Novi Beograd, both teams finished the Preliminary Stage with an unblemished 6-0 record, but they have not lost a game in any competition this season. One of these streaks will be ended on Wednesday, as Ferencvaros will host Barceloneta in the derby of the Quarterfinal Stage Day 1.
The game in Budapest will be a festival of water polo superstars.
Dusan Mandic, the only double winner of the Total Player Award, is one of the power engines of Ferencvaros, but the Hungarian team can rely on many great players—Szilard Jansik, Stylanos Argyropoulos, Soma Vogel, Marton Vamos, Krisztian Manhercz, and Edoardo Di Somma.
Barceloneta, like Olympiacos, benefited from the crisis at Pro Recco. Alvaro Granados returned to the Spanish champion instead of heading to Italy. He rejoined tireless veteran Felipe Perrone, then Alberto Munarizz, Unai Aguirre, Bernat Sanahuja, Roger Tahull… Granados was the top scorer of the Preliminary Stage with 24 goals. The Hungarian tandem, Gergely Burian and Vince Vigvari, were valuable reinforcements to the team last summer.
Unai Aguirre Photo: Total Waterpolo
Ferencvaros and Barceloneta have faced each other six times over the past five years, with Ferencvaros winning four matches and one ending in a draw. Barceloneta’s only recent victory over Ferencvaros dates back to 2022. It was one of the most painful losses for the Budapest-based team in history. Barceloneta achieved a 17:7 victory in Budapest. The outcome of the upcoming derby is difficult to predict, but it is almost sure that ten goals won’t separate the rivals.
The other two teams, Oradea and Savona, might pose some threat to the two favorites, but earning the Final Four ticket from this Group seems impossible for both teams.
Wednesday, February 5
All games start at 20.00 CET. Follow the scores live on Total Waterpolo Arena
