May 2024

The final round of the Quarter Final Stage shall determine the pairings of the semis in the Final Four. The top spot is at stake in both groups, with title-holders Recco and 2019 champions Ferencvaros both enjoying a point advantage, but they face challenging home matches against Novi Beograd and Barceloneta respectively. Champions League Quarter Final StageFixtures, Day 6 (all times are CET)Group A (Wednesday)19.00 Pro Recco (ITA) v Novi Beograd (SRB)20.00 CN Marseille (FRA) v VK Jadran Split (CRO)Standings: 1. Recco 14, 2. Novi Beograd 13, 3. Marseille 3, 4. Jadran 0 Group B (Tuesday)18.30 Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v AN Brescia (ITA)20.00 FTC-Telekom (HUN) v Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP)Standings: 1. FTC 12, 2. Olympiacos 11, 3. Barceloneta 7, 4. Brescia 0 We already know the four advancing sides, but their final rankings in the Quarter Final Stage and consequently the pairings of the semi-finals are yet to be decided. Before the last day, Pro Recco and Ferencvaros both hold a single-point advantage ahead of their respective challengers, Novi Beograd and Olympiacos. In Group A, it all comes down to the grand clash of Recco and NBG in the magnficent pool of Sori, nestled in the Ligurian coastline. Recco can even afford a shootout loss to keep their top position, while the Serbs need a ‘three-pointer’ to pass the title-holders. On Day 3, the Italians blew a six-goal lead and left the decision to the penatlies where at least they bagged two points – this gives them the advantage before this last game. Ferencvaros are in a different situation as they play against Barceloneta which bowed out in the penultimate round after falling to beat Olympiacos at home. On the same day, the Hungarians experienced how hard a clash could become against a rival which had nothing to lose as they barely downed Brescia. For sure, the Spaniards want to send a sign that despite their utter disappointment, they are still a formidable team. The hosts have to be ready for that as keeping the top spot would most probably mean they avoid a semi-final showdown with Recco. This may put them under some pressure as they don’t have fond memories from the last three editions – they met Recco in the 2021 final, the 2022 semi-final and the 2023 quarter-final and the eventual champions never left them a chance. By the time of the swim-off in Budapest, FTC will already know the result from Piraeus where Olympiacos entertain Brescia. The Greeks may have less headaches as the Italians have had darker days recently – besides losing all five Quarter Final matches so far, they also failed to make the domestic cup final. The fourth match between Marseille and Jadran, in Group A, will be a game of pride. While the Croats are yet to win a match in this stage, they will probably be more focused on their gruelling national title series against Jug that’s coming up. Marseille, meanwhile, have already ticked that box, after retaining their French title and all they wish is to finish the season on a high note at home. You can follow all the action and results from the Champions League Quarter Final Stage live on the dedicated European Aquatics Champions League website. And stream every game live, or watch the replays, by clicking here. Ticket details for the Final Four in Malta (5th-7th June) can be found by clicking here.  Pre-game stats Group A (Wednesday) Pro Recco (ITA) v VK Novi Beograd (SRB)REC: WWWWW15-8 Marseille (h), 13-10 Jadran (a), 15-14 (pen) NBG (a), 12-10 Marseille (a), Jadran 18-9 (h)NBG: WWLWW15-11 Jadran (h), 14-13 Marseille (a), 14-15 (pen) Recco (h), 15-10 Jadran (a), Marseille 13-10 (h)Head-to-head: 3-0Day 3: 10-10, pen: 5-4. 2022-23: 14-11 (final). 2021-22: 13-13, pen: 4-3 (final) CN Marseille (FRA) v VK Jadran Split (CRO)MAR: LLWLL8-15 Recco (a), 13-14 NBG (h), 14-12 Jadran (a), 10-12 Recco (h), NBG 10-13 (a)JAD: LLLLL11-15 NBG (a), 10-13 Recco (h), 12-14 Marseille (h), 10-15 NBG (h), Recco 9-18 (a)Head-to-head: 1-0Day 3: 14-12 Group B (Tuesday) FTC Telekom Budapest (HUN) v Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP)FTC: WWWLW11-9 Olympiacos (h), 11-9 Brescia (a), 10-8 Barceloneta (a), 8-10 Olympiacos (a), 9-8 Brescia (h)BAR: WLLWL12-8 Brescia (h), Olympiacos 7-10 (a), 8-10 FTC (h), 12-5 Brescia (a), 18-19 (pen) Olympiacos (h)Head-to-head: 4-3 (1d)Day 3: 10-8. 2021-22: 7-17, 12-12. 2020-21: 8-7, 11-10. 2018-19: 5-8, 8-9 (prelims), 9-7 (SF). Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v AN Brescia (ITA)OLY: LWWWW9-11 FTC (a), 10-7 Barceloneta (h), 13-12 Brescia (a), 10-8 FTC (h), 19-18 (pen) Barceloneta (a)BRE: LLLLL8-12 Barceloneta (a), 9-11 FTC (h), 12-13 Olympiacos (h), 5-12 Barceloneta (h), 8-9 FTC (a)Head-to-head: 7-1 (1d)Day 3: 13-12. 2018-19: 8-7 (QF). 2017-18: 7-6,13- 6. 2016-17: 10-13, 8-4 (prelims), 8-5 (5-6th). 2014-15: 9-9, 8-6

The penultimate day in the Champions League Quarter Final Stage offers two thrilling clashes on Friday. In Group B, where the race for the Final Four spots is wide open, the big clash of Barceloneta and Olympiacos might be decisive, just like the game between Ferencvaros and Brescia – but it might happen that only the last day will determine the two qualifing sides. In Group A, Recco and Novi Beograd have already reached safe waters. Champions League Men’s Water Polo Quarter Final StageFixtures, Day 5 (Local times shown) Group A (Saturday)18.00 Pro Recco (ITA) v Jadran Split (CRO)19.45 VK Novi Beograd (SRB) v CN Marseille (FRA)Standings: 1. Recco 11, 2. Novi Beograd 10, 3. Marseille 3, 4. Jadran 0 Group B (Friday)18.30 Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)20.00 FTC-Telekom (HUN) v AN Brescia (ITA)Standings: 1. Olympiacos 9, 2. FTC 9, 3. Barceloneta 6, 4. Brescia 0 Saturday night will have less fever than Friday evening’s wide-open Group B action, when the two remaining Final Four Spots may be booked – but the final decision might also be delayed till the very last day. While in Group A, where the teams are playing on Saturday, only the No. 1 rank is at stake, as both Recco and Novi Beograd have already qualified. There are several scenarios in the three-horse Group B race for this Friday. One may see both F4 berths taken – if Olympiacos, which is on a winning streak, beat Barceloneta and FTC downs Brescia, then the two victors will advance. A three-point win for Barceloneta would delay the decision to the last day, even if Ferencvaros beats Brescia. In this case, even a three-way tie could be possible with all the maths involved, so the gap of the Spaniards’ win might also be crucial, as they lost by three to Olympiacos in Greece. The big match in Barcelona could go either way, as both sides are strong enough and have all the quality to make the cut, so most probably the finer details of the contest will decide the outcome. The Greeks have now won three matches in a row, as they brought down Ferencvaros in the last round of games, which was a real feat considering the Hungarians were unbeaten in the season before their visit to Piraeus. Barceloneta lost back-to-back CL matches (on day 2 and 3), something that’s rarely happened to them, which put the team in a challeging situation, but the way they demolished Brescia on day 4 shows they’ve regained some ground before the showdown with Olympiacos (and potentially with Ferencvaros in the last round). Ferencvaros are still in the best position as they have two home matches remaining and the first one is against Brescia, the team with four losses in a row. Still, the Italians have two faces – one which landed them the national Cup against Recco in the final. And the other one which they showed against Barceloneta in their last home CL match where they were beaten badly, 5-12, a barely seen scene in their pool. Alredy dropped out from the race for the Final Four, Brescia might look an easy target, but without any pressure, they can also cause some trouble for the Hungarians, who need to recover from the loss in Piraeus, their very first one after a 33-game winning streak. In Group A, the two favourites, already in safe waters, play at home and form suggests they’re both likely to add another victory to their respective tallies. Recco face Jadran, which lost all four matches and seem to lack the necesarry tightness in defending (they’ve conceded 57 goals, the most at this stage). Novi Beograd entertain Marseille – but again, playing without pressure, the French can be a really tough opponent, but the Serbs are seeking the top rank in the group, so they won’t let this match go either. You can follow all the Champions League Men’s Water Polo Quarter Final Stage action and results live on the dedicated European Aquatics Champions League website. Pre-game stats – Champions League Quarter Final Stage, Day 5 Group APro Recco (ITA) v VK Jadran Split (CRO)REC: WWWW15-8 Marseille (h), 13-10 Jadran (a), 15-14 (pen) NBG (a), 12-10 Marseille (a)JAD: LLLL11-15 NBG (a), 10-13 Recco (h), 12-14 Marseille (h), 10-15 NBG (h)Head-to-head: 3-0Day 2: 13-10. 2022-23: 14-7, 13-9 VK Novi Beograd (SRB) v CN Marseille (FRA)NBG: WWLW15-11 Jadran (h), 14-13 Marseille (a), 14-15 (pen) Recco (h), 15-10 Jadran (a)MAR: LLWL8-15 Recco (a), 13-14 NBG (h), 14-12 Jadran (a), 10-12 Recco (h)Head-to-head: 4-0Day 2: 14-13. 2022-23: 11-4, 17-13; 2021-22: 16-10 (QF) Group B Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)BAR: WLLW12-8 Brescia (h), Olympiacos 7-10 (a), 8-10 FTC (h), 12-5 Brescia (a)OLY: LWWW9-11 FTC (a), 10-7 Barceloneta (h), 13-12 Brescia (a), 10-8 FTC (h)Head-to-head: 5-4 (2d)Day 2: 7-10. 2022-23: 9-7, 10-5; 2021-22: 7-3, 4-8; 2020-21: 22-9 (QF); 2019-20: 15-9, 11-11; 2018-19: 10-14, 7-7, 4-6 (SF) FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN) v AN Brescia (ITA)FTC: WWWL11-9 Olympiacos (h), 11-9 Brescia (a), 10-8 Barceloneta (a), 8-10 Olympiacos (a)BRE: LLLL8-12 Barceloneta (a), 9-11 FTC (h), 12-13 Olympiacos (h), 5-12 Barceloneta (h)Head-to-head: 6-4 (2d)Day 2: 11-9. 2022-23: 4-8, 10-6, 9-8 (5-8th); 2021-22: 8-8, 8-6, 14-12 (bronze); 2020-21: 6-9, 7-10, 14-12 (SF); 2018-19: 8-8, 5-10