Barceloneta aiming to end Fradi’s unbeaten run

By Gergely Csurka

The second half of the Quarter Final Stage in the men’s Champions League kicks off this Tuesday and Wednesday, and there is a chance the first Final Four spots will be booked. However, group leaders Ferencvaros and Novi Beograd will face tough challenges in their respective away matches – but a win in Barcelona and in Marseille would land them a ticket to Malta.

Group B

Tuesday 1st April 2025
(CET times shown)

Standings: 1. FTC 9, 2. CNAB 6, 3. Savona 3, 4. Oradea 0

20.00 Zodiac CNAB (ESP) v FTC-Telekom Waterpolo (HUN)

Previous results:
CNAB: 10-18 FTC (away), 17-4 Oradea (home), 14-10 Savona (away)
FTC: 18-10 CNAB (home), 17-9 Savona (away), 18-7 Oradea (away)
Head-to-head: 3-6 (1d)
Day 1: 10-18. 2023-24: 11-13, 8-10 (QFR). 2021-22: 17-7, 12-12. 2020-21: 7-8, 10-11. 2018-19: 8-5, 9-8 (prelims), 7-9 (SF).

Spanish giants Barceloneta are ready to unleash a kind of final assault attempt on Fradi’s gigantic unbeaten run, which currently stands at 40 matches this season. If any team has a chance to do that, it is definitely Barceloneta, and especially in their own pool.

Last season, Ferencvaros’ only loss came on Day 4 in Piraeus, on 23 April, when Olympiacos managed to bring them down.

That 10-8 result is the only defeat Fradi have suffered across the last two seasons. They closed the last one with a 46-1 record, and their count stands at 40-0 so far this season – very much reminiscent of Recco’s heydays, or tennis star Rafa Nadal’s clay-court magical runs at Roland Garros…

Still, it’s Day 4 again and arguably this is the toughest challenge the title-holders will face. Indeed, Barceloneta bounced back from that sound beating in Budapest on Day 1 of this stage and the Spaniards are eager to take revenge for that 18-10 humiliation.

In contrast, Fradi may have shown some glimpses of fatigue as they had to overcome a few struggles in the domestic league in back-to-back matches versus OSC and Vasas.

Though it’s also true their tremendous achievements have been based on their outstanding ability to raise their game whenever needed.

For sure, another win would seal their Final Four spot, while Barceloneta need two more wins to return to the big stage.

20.00 RN Savona (ITA) v CSM Oradea (ROU)

Previous results:
SAV: 17-11 Oradea (away), 9-17 FTC (home), 10-14 CNAB (home)
ORA: 11-17 Savona (home), 4-17 CNAB (away), 7-18 FTC (home)
Head-to-head: 1-1
Day 1: 17-11. 2022-23: 7-10 (qualifications)

After the painful home defeat to Barceloneta, this has become a must-win match for Savona to maintain a small chance of reaching the finals.

Since they made no mistakes on Day 1 and claimed a 11-17 victory over the Romanians, taking three more points this Tuesday is again likely.

However, even if the Italians do win, they will still have a huge mountain to climb, as they would need away wins in Budapest, then in Barcelona, against teams that beat them comfortably in Savona.

Group A

Wednesday 2nd April 2025
(CET times shown)

Standings: 1. Novi Beograd 9, 2. Marseille 6, 3. Olympiacos 3, 4. Jadran 0

20.00 CN Marseille (FRA) v VK Novi Beograd (SRB)

Previous results:
MAR: 14-15 NBG (away), 11-9 Jadran (home), 12-7 Olympiacos (home)
NBG: 15-14 Marseille (home), 8-5 Olympiacos (away), 17-8 Jadran (home)
Head-to-head: 0-6
Day 1: 14-15. 2023-24: 13-14, 10-13 (QFR). 2022-23: 4-11, 13-17. 2021-22: 10-16 (QF)

Novi Beograd will be looking to bounce back from a bitter defeat at the weekend, as they lost their Regional League crown after losing in the semis to fellow Serbian side Radnicki.

In the Champions League, however, they are on their way to another Final Four appearance as they’ve so far come out on top in all three of their Quarter Final Stage matches.

A fourth victory would send them through, but, just like in Fradi’s case in Group B, they need another flawless performance to prevail in Marseille.

The French also have something to leave behind, as their domestic unbeaten run recently came to a stunning end in Strasbourg where they had to settle for a shootout loss.

Still, at home they are as formidable as ever, and two weeks ago they clinched a crucial big win against Olympiacos.

Another victory against NBG would further boost their chances of making the cut this season, which would be a fantastic feat for the French champions.

And no one should forget they forced a really tight match on the opening day in Belgrade, where they came back from four goals down to tie the game at 13-13 two minutes from time, but the Serbs had the better finish to win 15-14.

20.00 Olympiacos SFP (GRE) v Jadran Split (CRO)

Previous results:
OLY: 12-11 Jadran (away), 5-8 NBG (home), 7-12 Marseille (away)
JAD: 11-12 Olympiacos (home), 9-11 Marseille (away), 8-17 NBG (away)
Head-to-head: 8-0
Day 1: 12-11. 2022-23: 13-8, 10-7. 2021-22: 12-10, 16-12. 2019-20: 17-8.  2018-19: 8-3, 13-7

After back-to-back losses, Olympiacos are looking to stay in contention and hoping for something extraordinary.

The Greeks have an excellent line-up, but they’ve shown unusual signs of vulnerability this season, especially in their once-fearsome home pool.

Their attack has been misfiring in recent matches, as they only scored five against Novi Beograd and seven in Marseille, so now they face an uphill battle in the remaining three rounds.

Jadran Split, beaten in the Regional League final by Radnicki at the weekend, are already heading to the exit after three straight defeats.

Just like last season, the Croats have struggled in the Quarter Final Stage, and it’s yet to be seen if they can find enough motivation to play a fine match in Piraeus – against a team which hold an 8-0 head-to-head record over them.

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