The Euro Cup continues this week with the first leg of the round of 16.
One of the key matchups features two former European champions, Primorac and Jug. However, the focus is not primarily on their sports rivalry. On Sunday, European Aquatics decided that the matches would be played in Podgorica and Zagreb. A new twist happened today. Following an appeal submitted by Primorac, European Aquatics has postponed the match by seven days. The Kotor-based team announced today that this decision allows “room for consideration of the legal issues raised in accordance with the statute and valid procedures.”
As for the remaining seven clashes, almost all of them can turn into an exciting battle in the pool.
Radnicki enters the Euro Cup eighth-finals as the strongest title contender. The Kragujevac-based team aimed to battle for the Champions League trophy. It failed to reach the CHL Quarter Final Stage, and now it’s considered the biggest trophy contender in the Euro Cup. To remind you, several months ago, after the draw for the group stages of both competitions, it was more or less clear that, based on the teams’ qualities, the third-placed team in the Champions League Group A would be the heaviest favorite in the Euro Cup (Radnicki finished the Champions League behind Olympiacos and Mladost).
Still, a long road is in front of Radnicki, the runner-up in the 2025 Euro Cup.
The Kragujevac-based side begins its journey in the second-tier European competition with an away match against Barcelona. The Spanish team has strong potential, but it hasn’t shone in recent matches. Due to a home loss to Szolnok two weeks ago it dropped from 1st to 2nd place in the Euro Cup Group B. Last weekend, Barceloneta lost to Sabadell in the Spanish derby. Radnicki bounced back after a Champions League defeat to Olympiacos, beating Novi Beograd and Sabac in the Premier League. But if Barcelona shows its best face, Radnicki will have a very demanding task.
It’s interesting that the teams that played against Barcelona and Radnicki last weekend will face off in the Euro Cup. Sabadell will host Sabac in the first match of the second Spanish-Serbian duel in the Round of 16. That match will start just 60 minutes before the first whistle in Barcelona. Although the Spanish team had its ups and downs in the Champions League Group Stage, it’s considered the favorite in this matchup. However, Sabac has demonstrated this season that it can challenge even the strongest teams. Just last Friday, Radnicki defeated Sabac by only one goal.
There will be two Serbian-Spanish duels and one Hungarian derby in this round. Vasas and BVSC will meet in the battle for a spot in the quarterfinals. These two teams know each other very well, and their previous encounter last weekend (BVSC beat Vasas 11:10 in the Hungarian League) suggests that water polo fans can expect new excitement.
The matches between Savona and Marseille also attract significant attention. Marseille started excellently in the Champions League, beating Hannover and Barceloneta. Following that, it suffered four losses and dropped to the Euro Cup, where it will face one of the best Italian teams.
Szolnok, the 2021 Euro Cup winner, will meet the Croatian champion, Jadran. The Croats achieved poor results in the Champions League, but they have good chances to go far in the Euro Cup. Still, a match in Szolnok will be a tough test.
The only remaining Romanian club in the European cups, Oradea, will try to reach the quarterfinals by facing a very good Terrassa
The first match of the Euro Cup eighth-finals will be played this evening. Panathinaikos, which reshaped its team last summer, welcomes Jadran Herceg Novi. The Montenegrin champion failed to qualify for the Champions League Top 8 stage after a convincing home loss to Novi Beograd. But the Montenegrins arrived in Athens, encouraged by an away victory over Novi Beograd in the Premier League.
Euro Cup Eighth Finals, 1st leg
Tuesday, February 24
Panathinaikos – Jadran Herceg Novi (20:00, CET)
Wednesday, February 25
Szolnok – Jadran Split (18:00)
Oradea – Terrassa (18:30, CET)
Sabadell – Sabac (19:00)
Savona – Marseille (19:00)
Barcelona – Radnicki (20:00)
Vasas – BVSC (20:00)
Postponed to March 4
Primorac – Jug
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
