Though there are ten more rounds to go, the last round of 2017 will see a series
of key matches, especially in Group A which is way too balanced and have at
least six teams hunting the four qualifying berths.
Group A
What seemed to be a five-horse race for the four qualifying berths before the
start, it’s now a hunt featuring at least six serious contenders since newcomer
Dynamo (RUS) took a wonderful start. The Russians’ visit to Barcelona is one of the
highlights of Day 5 as even a draw would further strengthen Dynamo’s position.
Barceloneta (ESP) sits 6 th currently but their fantastic comeback in Dubrovnik
showed their strength, the 2014 winner will go for a win at home, for sure.
The only unbeaten side in the group Olympiacos (GRE) faces OSC (HUN) in
Budapest. The Hungarians opened their quest with two fine wins but then went
down against Barceloneta , then against Brescia at home. Back-to- back losses to
main rivals at home would further weaken OSC’s chances in the New Year but their
task is extremely difficult since the Greeks look like the favourites in the group.
Just a fact to underline their strength: in the weekend Olympiacos won its 120 th (!)
domestic league game in succession!
Winning in Budapest gave fresh blood to Brescia (ITA) and now they can continue
their rise provided they could make another miracle, this time against Jug. The
Croats had some ups and downs, lost in Moscow, couldn’t beat Barceloneta at
home, dropping more points would be rather painful for last season’s runners-up.
Hannover (GER) ought to beat Partizan (SRB) in order to reserve some chance to
keep up with the others, all other results might take the Germans out of the race
for the F8. Last season this game ended in a draw, while Partizan won in Belgrade
but in the summer six more players left the Serbian club which somewhat explains
while they can regarded the underdogs this time.
Group B
Few would have guessed that the game of Jadran (MNE) and Recco (ITA) would
feature the top two ranked sides of the group on Day 4. This is the first real test for
the Montenegrins who are still unbeaten, survived Eger’s visit with a draw –
another tie (or win) against the 2015 winners would be a Christmas wonder. All in
all, Jadran will begin the match in an upbeat mood as they are fresh from winning
the Montenegrin Cup for the 7 th straight occasion.
Eger (HUN will have another tough away match, this time in Berlin. Since Spanadau
managed to defeat title-holder Szolnok (HUN), the Germans stepped forward and can be considered a serious contender for the Final 8 – another
triumph would secure them a five-point advantage.
Szolnok could recover from the shocking loss in Berlin and winning the best match
of the season against Recco in the previous round put the Hungarians back to the
right track. Now they can prepare for an easy ride in Alphen (NED) as the Dutch are
not in the same weight-category with the title-holder team.
Group A
18.30 A Hid-OSC Budapest (HUN) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
18.30 Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) v Partizan Belgrade (SRB)
19.00 Atletic Barceloneta (ESP) v Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
20.30 AN Brescia (ITA) v Jug Croatia Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO)
Standings
1. Olympiacos 10, 2. Dynamo 9, 3. Jug 7, 4. Brescia 6, 5. OSC 6, 6. Barceloneta 5, 7.
Hannover 3, 8. Partizan 0
Group B
Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) v Steaua Bucharest (ROU) 10-11
18.30 Jadran Carine Herceg Novi (MNE) v Pro Recco (ITA)
19.30 Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v ZF-Eger (HUN)
20.30 AZC Alphen (NED) v Szolnoki Dozsa-Kozgep (HUN)
Standings
1. Jadran 10, 2. Recco 9, 3. Szolnok 9, 4. Spandau 9, 5. Eger 7, 6.
Steaua 3, 7. Sabadell 3, 8. Alphen 0
