The development of French water polo, which gained momentum around 7–8 years ago, appears to have slowed somewhat following the Paris Olympics. A few top-tier clubs have had to cut their budgets, and some have even withdrawn from the Elite National League.
However, the country’s water polo powerhouse, Marseille, has remained resilient and continued progressing. This season marked another milestone for the club, as it reached the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time.
As the only debutant among the Final Four teams, Marseille may not be the club to bet on at the Final Four in Malta, especially with reigning champion Ferencvaros as its semifinal opponent. However, the team has consistently shown that it can challenge and even upset the favorites.
Jump to European elite six years ago
Marseille, founded in 1921, won its first trophy in the French League in 1960. Last weekend, the club secured its 42nd French championship title. Over the past 20 years, Marseille has only failed to win the league title four times.
However, before 2019, the club had limited success on the international stage. Although it occasionally reached the Euro League Main Round (Top 16), it did not achieve significant results.
Things began to change several years ago as Marseille gradually established itself as a respected force in European water polo. The first signs of this rise emerged in 2018, when the team reached the semifinals of the LEN Euro Cup. Just a year later, Marseille took a major step forward by winning the Euro Cup title.
Andrija Prlainovic joined Marseille in 2020 Photo by Phillipe Fretault/ WP Inside
In the following seasons, the club qualified for the Champions League and advanced to the Final Eight twice. However, the quarterfinal stage proved challenging—Marseille finished 8th in 2021 and 7th in 2022. Last year, the team reached the Top 8 phase again, placing third in Quarterfinal Group B and ultimately sharing 5th and 6th place overall.
First semifinal appearance – surprise or not?
This year, Marseille took another step forward. Competing in a challenging Group C of the Preliminary Stage, the team finished 2nd, behind Barceloneta and ahead of Jadran HN and Vasas. The French shone in the Quarter Final Group A, especially with impressive home victories against Olympiacos (12:7) and Novi Beograd (14:9). However, they lost the top spot in the group due to an unexpected defeat to Olympiacos in the last round.
After constant progression and strengthening of the team, this season’s results were not surprising. In the past several seasons, the only question was when Marseille would qualify for the Champions League Top 4 phase.
Over the last few years, the roster has undergone gradual changes during each transfer window. Milos Scepanovic, the goalkeeper from the 2019 Euro Cup-winning team, has been coaching Marseille since 2020.
Most of Marseille’s players are highly experienced. The team features many foreign players. All of them have won medals at major competitions for national teams, and are led by one of the most decorated athletes in the sport, Andrija Prlainovic. Additionally, two great French players, Ugo Crousillat and Michael Bodegas, have also reached podiums at big tournaments, while representing Montenegro and Italy, respectively.
Nearly all the French players in Marseille are members of the national team. Although France has yet to win a medal, it has joined Europe’s (and the world’s) elite. Younger talents, such as the promising Thomas Vernoux and Alexandre Bouet, are emerging as leaders of the new generation of French water polo players.
Having medal winners and national team players in the squad doesn’t guarantee success if the team lacks cohesion. But Marseille has found a winning formula—developing a playing style and becoming a formidable opponent, especially on home ground. Several European powerhouses, including Novi Beograd, Ferencvaros, Olympiacos, Jug, and Vasas, have suffered defeats in Marseille.
Mixture of generations: Angyal, Vernoux, Crousillat Photo by Phillipe Fretault/WP Inside
Now the question arises: has the time come for the French champion to take down a major favorite in a semifinal on neutral ground?
Facts and stats
Marseille heads into the Final 4 as perhaps the tournament’s most underrated contender — a team built on grit, experience, and clinical execution. While they may not lead in overall flash, they top the charts in some of the competition’s most decisive metrics.
With 146 goals scored (4th) and 125 conceded (5th), their net goal differential may not jump off the page, but the details reveal a deeper strength. Marseille leads the Champions League in power play goals (68) and personal fouls drawn (156) — proof of a disciplined and tactically sharp unit that knows how to force mistakes and capitalize on man-up situations.
A big part of that comes from Michael Bodegas, who has drawn 51 exclusions (3rd overall), constantly creating space and opportunities for the team. And once those chances come, they often go through the hands of Andrija Prlainović, the tournament’s top assist provider (29) — still pulling strings with his world-class vision and experience.
In front of goal, Petar Tešanović has been Marseille’s undisputed anchor. He leads the competition in total saves (111), providing the consistency and calm required to survive tight games and knockout pressure.
On the attacking front, Ugo Crousillat leads Marseille’s scoring charge with 30 goals (7th), while the team ranks a solid 3rd in assists (109) and 3rd in fast break goals (9) — showing they can strike from both structured play and quick transitions.
Defensively, Marc Larumbe (2nd in blocks with 7) and Alessandro Velotto (4th in steals with 11) round out a unit that might not dominate in volume but steps up in key moments.
Marseille may not be the favorites — but they’re more than capable of pulling off a surprise in Malta.
Roster – Goalkeepers: Petar Tesanovic (MNE), Arshak Hovhannisyan; Field players: Daniel Angyal (HUN), Ugo Croussilat, Andrea De Nardi, Vladan Spaic (MNE), Andrija Prlainovic (SRB), Thomas Vernoux, Marc Larumbe (ESP), Alexandre Bouet, Romain Marion Vernoux, Michael Bodegas, Pierre-Frederic Vanpeperstraete, Alessandro Velotto (ITA), Matteo Lena, Leandre Ondo Methogo. Head coach: Milos Scepanovic
Key players: Ugo Crousillat, Andrija Prlainovic, Thomas Vernoux, Daniel Angyal, Petar Tesanovic, Michael Bodegas, Alessandro Velotto, Alexandre Bouet, Vladan Spaic…
Last five Champions League seasons – 2024: 3rd place in a Quarter Final Group; 2023: 7th place in a group of the Main Stage; 2022: 7th place; 2021: 8th place; 2020 (after 10 rounds): 6th in Group B.
The best results: 5th/6th place (2024), 7th place (2022), and 8th place (2021).
Trophies in other international competitions: the LEN Trophy winner in 2019.
Road to Malta – Preliminary Stage: 2nd place in Group C (9 pts; goal-difference 69:67), Quarter Final Stage: 2nd place in Group A (12 pts, goal-difference 77:58).
This season’s results in the other competitions: 1st place in the French League and 1st place in the French Cup.
Follow the live scores and the statistics of the Champions League Final Four on Total Waterpolo Arena
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