With seven of the eight Quarter Final tickets already booked, and three of the group winners decided, the final day of the men’s Champions League Group Stage will see the two Romanian sides – CSM Oradea and Steaua Bucharest – battle for the last remaining berth, while Savona and Olympiacos are set to have a showdown for first place in Group D.
Champions League Men – Fixtures, Day 6
(all times CET)
Group A (Wednesday)
20.00 CSM Oradea (ROU) v Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
20.00 Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v VK Novi Beograd (SRB)
Group B (Wednesday)
18.15 Jadran Split (CRO) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)
18.15 SPD Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) v Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
Group C (Tuesday)
20.00 Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi (MNE) v Vasas-Plaket (HUN)
20.00 CN Marseille (FRA) v Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP)
Group D (Tuesday)
18.00 RN Savona (ITA) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
18.00 KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP) v Primorac Kotor (MNE)
In Group A, it’s going to be an all-out battle between Romania’s top two teams, Oradea and Steaua. Steaua have been ruling the scene in recent years, but their archrivals upset them in Bucharest and they now need a win in regular time to progress, as any other result would send Oradea through.
Elsewhere, top ranked Novi Beograd visit Hannover for a match with little at stake, but the Serbs will look to maintain their perfect record, while the Germans are after their first win.
All the places are cemented in Group B, however, there is still something to watch in the clash of Jadran and Ferencvaros. The title-holders have been absolutely superior in each game they have played so far this season and their previous season’s 40-1 record is also stunning.
However, besides losing that single match to Olympiacos in Piraeus, they had two matches which they did not win in regular time, only after shootouts – one was against Jadran in Split in the very same situation – on Day 6 in the group stage, on 5 December, when both teams had already reached safe waters.
In the other game, Radnicki should go for restoring some pride after back-to-back losses to Jadran and Ferencvaros.
Barceloneta and Marseille have nothing to lose in their match in Group C, but there is more to play for in the battle of Jadran Herceg Novi and Vasas. That is, to avoid finishing bottom, which would mean to face one of the group winners from the Euro Cup in the Eight Finals of that competition. With Recco and Brescia among the potential opponents, that might not be the very best of prospects.
Finally, Group D is the only one where the first place is still open. It’s going to be a clean race for the top spot – Savona and Olympiacos are to play this out, as both currently have 11 points.
Savona stunned Olympiacos in Piraeus in the third round, so the Greeks may go for a revenge. The other match is also about practice and pride as Sabadell and Primorac cannot move from their current positions.
STATS AHEAD OF DAY SIX
Group A
CSM Oradea (ROU) v Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
Points gained so far:
ORA – 8: 30230
STE – 6: 02103
Head-to-head (in Europe): 1-2 (1d)
Day 3: 13-13, pen: 7-6. 2016-17, qualification: 10-12
2021-22, Euro Cup: 8-8, 6-10
Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v VK Novi Beograd (SRB)
Points gained so far:
HAN – 1: 01000
NBG – 15: 33333
Head-to-head: 0-1
Day 3: 8-10
Group B
Jadran Split (CRO) v FTC-Telekom (HUN)
Points gained so far:
JAD – 11: 23033
FTC – 15: 33333
Head-to-head: 1-4
Day 3: 9-18. 2023-24: 11-12, 16-16, pen: 1-4. 2021-22: 8-14, 9-7
SPD Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) v Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
Points gained so far:
RAD – 4: 10300
DIN – 0: 00000
Head-to-head: 4-1
Day 3: 10-9. 2022-23: 11-10, 8-13. 2021-22: 19-7, 17-13.
Group C
Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi (MNE) v Vasas-Plaket (HUN)
Points gained so far:
JHN – 3: 00300
VAS – 3: 03000
Head-to-head: 1-0
Day 3: 14-6
CN Marseille (FRA) v Zodiac CNA Barceloneta (ESP)
Points gained so far:
MAR – 9: 30033
BAR – 15: 33333
Head-to-head: 0-3
Day 3: 14-19. 2023-24: 12-13, 7-9
Group D
RN Savona (ITA) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
Points gained so far:
SAV – 11: 03323
OLY – 11: 23033
Head-to-head: 1-0
Day 3: 10-9
KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP) v Primorac Kotor (MNE)
Points gained so far:
SAB – 6: 30210
PRI – 2: 10100
Head-to-head: 1-0
Day 3: 11-11, pen: 5-3
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