Marseille defeated Jug 14:9 in the big match of the day of the 2nd round in the Champions League Group B.
The game was a derby, so everything was possible. However, few could expect that the French would record such a convincing victory, so this outcome can be considered as a surprise.
The most exciting game of the day was a German derby in Berlin, Spandau – Hannover. The game ended in an 11:11 draw.
OSC Budapest defeated Crvena Zvezda 11:8 in Belgrade. Pro Recco had no difficulties in beating Steaua (23:5).
2021/22 Champions League, Group B, Day 2
Jug – Marseille 9:14 (0:3, 4:3, 4:5, 1:3)
Jug AO: Fatovic 4, Jokovic 2, Tomasovic 2, Argyropoulos 1.
Marseille: Crousillat 4, Prlainovic 2, Vernoux 2, Vukicevic 2, Cuckovic 1, Bouet 1, Marion Vernoux 1, Bodegas 1.
Jug and Marseille played three close encounters in the last season’s Champions League, but Jug was better in all three games. The Croats collected all six points in the “bubbles” in Ostia (11:10 and 15:13), while the Dubrovnik-based side defeated Marseille in the semifinals for the 5th-8th places at the F8 (16:13). Today, Marseille dominated throughout the game. Jug managed to equalize just once.
Although the first-pick goalkeeper Lazovic is still out of the team, Marseille’s defense was superb in the opening minutes. The second goalie Hovhannysian had a good evening (11 saves). The visitors’ attack worked well. In the 9th minute, Marseille had a 4:0 advantage. Jug’s captain Loren Fatovic put the hosts on the scoreboard in the 10th minute (1:4). In the middle of the second quarter, the visitors had a 6:2 lead. Then, Jug started coming back and leveled at 6:6 in the 17th minute. But, Marseille responded with three quick goals to go to 9:6. The Croats reduced the gap (8:9), but they wasted many nice chances and man-ups, and they paid for it. The French dictated the pace. They played really well. By the middle of the final quarter, Marseille, led by Crousillat, Prlainovic, Vernoux, built a 13:8 lead and didn’t let the hosts come back once more.
Jug has a rejuvenated team this season, but it is always hard to beat the Croatian and European water polo giant in Dubrovnik. Therefore Marseille’s win is a remarkable success. The French champion proved once more that it had made significant progress in the last few years.
Crvena Zvezda – OSC Budapest 8:11 (0:2, 3:3, 1:3, 4:3)
Crvena Zvezda: Subotic 2, Gardasevic 2, Tankosic 1, Basara 1, Vukicevic 1, Smiljevic 1.
OSC Budapest: Harai 3, Manhercz 2, Toth 2, Vin. Vigvari 1, Burian 1, E.Bundschuh 1, Sziladi 1.
OSC water polo players broke Crvena Zvezda in the first and third period and secured themselves a quiet ending of the game. OSC dominated the first quarter, and earned a 2:0 lead. The visitors were always in front. Crvena Zvezda managed to cut the deficit to one goal three times in the second quarter (1:2, 2:3, 3:4). The hosts’ third goal came in the 12th minute. But, OSC held the Serbian team scoreless in the following 12 minutes. Deep into the third period, the Hungarians jumped to an 8:3 lead. Crvena Zvezda’s goalless phase was ended 34 seconds before the last break, but it was too late.
Spandau 04 – Waspo Hannover 11:11 (3:2, 1:2, 4:1, 3:6)
Spandau 04: Dedovic 3, Kholod 3, Cuk 2, Restovic 2, Nikolaides 1.
Waspo 98 Hannover: Nagaev 3, Brguljan 2, Radovic 2, Winkelhorst 2,Macan 1, Real 1.
The German clubs shared the points, but Spandau can be happier with this draw. The hosts saved a point thanks to a last-gasp goal. After a balanced first half, the Berliners took control in the third period and entered the final quarter with a 3-goal advantage. But, their good defense disappeared after the last break. In the first six minutes of the final quarter, Hannover scored as many goals as in the first three periods. The visitors produced a 5:1 rush and earned a 10:9 lead with 02:54 minutes left on the clock. Spandau leveled at 10:10, but Winkelhorst gave Waspo an 11:10 lead shortly after.
The drama was decided in the last possession of the match. Spandau forced an exclusion and earned an extra player 14 seconds from the end. Olympic champion Nikola Dedovic took responsibility, he found the net with two seconds to go for the final score – 11:11.
Pro Recco – Steaua 23:5 (4:1, 5:2,7:2, 7:0)
Pro Recco: Zalanki 7, Canella 4, Younger 3, Hallock 3, Di Fulvio 2, Marini 1, Bertoli 1, Echenique 1, Velotto 1.
Steaua: Georgescu 2, Neamtu 1, Negrean 1, Gheorghe 1.
The reigning European champion had an easy task in its first home game at the European scene this season. The big difference in quality and experience was obvious from the beginning. Steaua equalized just once in the early stage (1:1). After that, Recco dominated. The hosts scored five unanswered goals for a 6:1 lead (11th minute). By the end of the first half, the Italians jumped to 9:3. After that, only the margin of their win was in question. Recco didn’t slow down until the very end and recorded one of the biggest wins in the Champions League’s history Hungary’s leftie Gergo Zalanki was unstoppable. He netted seven goals (from seven shots). Recco’s captain Aleksandar Ivovic and Italy’s captain Pietro Figlioli, Matteo Aicardi missed the match. Head coach Sukno gave more space to younger players.
1 Pro Recco 2 -6
2 OSC Budapest 2 – 6
3 Marselle 2 – 3
4 Jug 2 – 3
5 Crvena Zvezda 2 – 3
6 Spandau 04 2 – 1
7 Hannover 2 – 1
8 Steaua 2 – 0
Day 3 (November 20)
Steaua – Marseille
Waspo Hannover – OSC Budapest
Spandau – Jug
Pro Recco – Crvena Zvezda
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