Women’s Euro League Final Four starts today in Sabadell (ESP). Four teams will fight for the most prestigious title in European club water polo.
Sabadell is favorite, but Padova…
Astrapool Sabadell have a strong team, they have a home court advantage and opportunity to take their 5th trophy in this competition in the last nine years. Defeat in the last year’s final against Kirshi (after penalty shootout) is another significant motive for them. They will face newcomer Padova in their semifinal match. Although this looks like a perfect opponent for Sabadell, let’s not forget that Padova eliminated the best Hungarian team USVE in quarters (in two games!).
“We are very grateful to our city to host this Final Four. It’s a great experience for our team to play at home once again. We are happy that we could show our best in front of our supporters, for us, it’s a joy and not a pressure. We see three great and tough rivals in this tournament, all are strong and worthy rivals so it’s going to be a challenge to claim this trophy.” – David Palma, Head Coach Astrapool Sabadell
“For us, it’s a big honor to be here for the first time and play against the best teams of Europe. Though the other three sides are much stronger than ours, perhaps we could prove in the past years that step-by-step we can build a good team which won the last five titles in Italy. I hope we can play two good games here and wish the best of luck for everyone.” – Andrea Barzon, Team Manager Plebiscito Padova
The Greek derby
The other semi-final clash feature two Greek greats. 2015 winner Olympiacos became a usual participant of the finals between 2015 and 2017 – though didn’t pass the quarters last season –, while Vouliagmeni, champions in 2010 and 2011, returns to the big stage after 2014. Back then they lost to Sabadell in the final, it’s yet to be seen if they meet again here.
“It’s good to back after so many years, both to play in the Final Four and to play here in Sabadell. This is going to be a great event for women’s water polo, four outstanding teams made the finals, all proved that they deserved to be here. We have a strong team once again, lot of good players, so we want to win though we know that two very tough matches we have to play.” -Alexia Kammenou, Head Coach NC Vouliagmeni
“We are happy to be back after one year to the Final Four. My team is ready to fight through our task is not easy as we face a well-known rival, Vouliagmeni. We play with them several times in the season but a Euro League semi-final is totally different from the other matches. This game is a final itself as only the winner can play for the trophy so we are preparing for this as if it were a final.” -Charis Pavlides, Head Coach SFP Olympiacos
Euro League Final 4
Friday 13.15 – Plebiscito PADOVA (ITA) vs Astralpool CN SABADELL (ESP)
Friday 11.30 – VOULIAGMENI NC (GRE) vs Olympiacos SF PIRAEUS (GRE)
Saturday 11.30 – Bronze Medal Game
Saturday 13.15 – Gold Medal Game
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