Ferencvaros demonstrates its power in the derby of Day 1 of the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League.
The defending champions dominated the week’s highlight match against Barceloneta in Group B. Few anticipated such a one-sided affair, but Ferencvaros completely outclassed the Spaniards with an 8-goal victory – 18:10 in front of a packed crowd at the Komjadi pool.
In the shadow of the derby in Budapest, Oradea and Savona faced off in Romania. The Romanian team kept pace with the visitors for nearly three quarters. However, Savona took control of the game, securing a 17:11 victory and disappointing many home fans.
2024/25 Champions League, Quarterfinal Stage, Day 1, Group B
Ferencvaros – Barceloneta 18:10 (4:1, 6:4, 6:3,2:2)
Ferencvaros: Di Somma 4, Ven. Vigvari 3, Vamos 2, Fekete 2, Mandic 1, Manhercz 1, Nagy 1, Nemet 1, Jansik 1.
Barceloneta: Sanahuja 4, Vin. Vigvari 2, Burian 1, Tahull 1, Biel 1, Bustos 1.
Ferencvaros earned a 3:0 lead within the first five minutes thanks to goals from Argyropoulos, Fekete, and Vamos. The hosts’ goalkeeper, Soma Vogel, played an important role in building an early 3-goal advantage, making seven saves in the first quarter (he finished the match with .13 saves, even though he was replaced four minutes before the end). Biel was the first to beat Vogel, scoring just 40 seconds before the first break. However, Vamos quickly restored the lead, making it 4:1 in the next attack.
Duel between Total Players: Felipe Perrone and Dusan Mandic Photo by Laszlo Balogh
In the second quarter, Barceloneta narrowed the deficit twice (2:4, 3:5), with both goals scored by Sanahuja. Yet, Ferencvaros responded immediately on both occasions. Midway through the quarter, the hosts expanded their lead to four goals for the first time, following a counterattack finished by Vendel Vigvari (7:3). Stylianos Argyropoulos then scored in a man-up situation, making it 8:3. The teams exchanged goals for the rest of the first half, leaving Ferencváros with a substantial 10:5 lead as they entered the third quarter.
Vogel started the second half much like the first, making a couple of impressive saves. However, he was unable to stop a long-distance shot from Vince Vigvari, the younger of the Vigvari brothers, which gave Barceloneta a glimmer of hope – 6:10. But, that hope didn’t live for long. By the middle of the quarter, Edoardo Di Somma, with two goals, and Vendel Vigvari, with one, stretched the margin to seven – 13:6. Before the final eight minutes, Ferencvaros widened the gap to eight (16:8) and, after that, only the margin of the title-holder’s victory was in question. There was no way back for the Spaniards.
Brothers and rivals: Vince and Vendel Vigvari Photo by Laszlo Balogh
Edoardo Di Somma led the hosts’ attack with four goals. Ferencvaros’ only field player who didn’t get on the scoresheet today was Miguel Del Toro, who arrived at the club from Barceloneta last summer. Bernat Sanahuja scored four for the visitors.
Oradea – Savona 11: 17 (2:1, 4:7, 2:5, 3:4)
Oradea: Gusarov 4, Belenyesi 3, Gheorghe 1, Vancsik 1, Cyenk 1, Velkic 1.
Savona: Damonte 4, Rizzo 3, Merkulov 3, Bruni 2, Rocchi 1, Occhione 1,Patchaliev 1
Oradea took an opening 2:0 lead. Rizzo scored the first goal Savona only 37 seconds before the first quarter. The Italians leveled in their first possession in the second quarter. In the 12th minute, Savona went ahead for the first time after Bruni scored from a counter-attack (4:3). Oradea’s center Velkic leveled immediately, but Savona replied with two quick action goals , went to 6:4, and maintained the difference until the end of the first half.
The hosts came close to the Italians in the third period (7:8, 8:9). However, after Oradea’s eigtht goal in the 20th minute, Savona made a 4:0 run and jumped to 13:8.
The Italians’ key to victory was their perfect conversion of extra player shots, scoring 7 out of 7. In contrast, Oradea managed to score four goals while playing 6 on 5 (4/9)
Oradea’s Gusarov scored two early goals in the fourth quarter (10:13), but Savona didn’t let the hosts come closer. The visitors produced a new 4:0 series, between the 26th and 31st minute, ensuring a comfortable victory.
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