In Group A one of the two key games is the clash of Dynamo (RUS) and Barceloneta (ESP) – collecting the three points would place the winner to a perfect position in the race for the Final Eight. Both sides enjoy an unbeaten run in the last five games though Dynamo seems to be specialised for draws, four of the Russians’ last five encounters ended in a tie. The first in the line was a 7-7 thriller in Barceloneta – another draw is very much in the cards though it might not satisfy either side with just four rounds to go.
The other big match features Jug (CRO) and Brescia (ITA). The Italians upset last season’s runner-up in their first meeting and since that big win they’ve produced a fine unbeaten run. However, the race is just heating up, and despite all the pains Jug has had this season, the Croats is still a formidable side whenever playing at home: in the Champions League they lost a single game in the last four years (last season to Recco).
The other two matches promise less tension, Olympiacos (GRE) should not have any problems against OSC (HUN) as the Hungarians virtually lost their chances to qualify for the F8 just as Hannover (GER) which visits Partizan (SRB). It seems this is one of the last opportunities for the young Serbs to earn at least a point in the current season.
In Group B, the clash of Eger (HUN) and Spandau (GER) is the match to watch. The Germans’ stunned everyone with a couple of 10-9 wins over the two Hungarian sides – now it’s revenge time for Eger though it won’t be an easy ride. However, thanks to the six points they earned against Szolnok, Eger seems to have reached safe waters, though another victory would almost secure them their fifth straight appearance in the finals.
Szolnok (HUN) faces probably its easiest home game against bottom-ranked Alphen (NED). After a stressful period, the title-holder seems to be on the rise, mirrored by a huge 7-goal win over Eger in the home league. Recco (ITA) can march on towards clinching the top spot which is bad news for Jadran (MNE). The young Montenegrins face another loss so they would need to bridge a five-point gap in the last four rounds which seems to be a kind of mission impossible.
Newcomers Steaua (ROU) and Sabadell have no realistic chance left to catch up the top four – still, their game can be quite entertaining just like the one they had in Spain where the Romanians won 11-10.
Champions League, Day 10
Group A
17.30 Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v A Hid-OSC Budapest (HUN)
18.30 Jug Croatia Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO) v AN Brescia (ITA)
18.30 Partizan Belgrade (SRB) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)
19.15 Dynamo Moscow (RUS) v Atletic Barceloneta (ESP)
Standings
1. Olympiacos 22, 2. Barceloneta 18, 2. Brescia 17, 4. Dynamo 16, 5. Jug 16, 6. OSC
7, 7. Hannover 6, 8. Partizan 0
Group B
18.30 Szolnoki Dozsa-Kozgep (HUN) v AZC Alphen (NED)
18.30 ZF Eger (HUN) v Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
18.30 Steaua Bucharest (ROU) v Astralpool Sabadell (ESP)
20.30 Pro Recco (ITA) v Jadran Carine Herceg Novi (MNE)
Standings
1. Recco 24, 2. Eger 19, 3. Spandau 18, 4. Szolnok 18, 5. Jadran 13, 6. Steaua 9, 7.
Sabadell 6, 8. Alphen 0
