Group A
19.15 ZF Eger (HUN) v CNA Barceloneta (ESP)
The former and the current host of the Final Six tournament is about to produce a mouth-watering clash. Eger, already a F6 participant, is yet to win its first match, though they were close to start their campaign with connecting wins. They drew with Olympiakos and were on equal terms with Primorje in Rijeka but left the Croats’ home empty handed. Last year the Hungarians enjoyed some success against the Spaniards, played a 7-7 tie in Barcelona and downed them 11-6 in Eger.
Barceloneta had a flying start against the two weaker sides of the group, their new young Serbian player, Strahinja Rasovic was simply devastating in those home games, netting 5 and 6 goals respectively. It’s going to be interesting to see whether the Hungarian defence – with a Serbian in the goal – is able to stop Rasovic who also scored the game- winner some days ago in the Serbian team in a World League qualifier, apparently against Spain.
Norbert Dabrowski, head coach ZF-Eger: “Barceloneta has a new team, but they are not weaker. They have two wins, this is also shows their strength. I think, this upcoming game is more important for us, we want the victory!”
Balint Lorincz, player of ZF-Eger: “Our goal is to take three points, I can say it on behalf of my teammates, but we know, Barceloneta is a great team. We are ready to acquire our first victory.”
Krisztian Bedo, player of ZF-Eger: “If we want to reach our goals, we are not allowed to make another mistake. We were close to the victory in Rijeka, and I think we should have won also against Olympiacos. We lost points in the past, so we need to win this time!”
Daniel Angyal, player of ZF-Eger: “We have to win this game. We are better than Barceloneta, and we need to demonstrate that! We will fight with full concentration for our first victory.”
19.30 Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v Primorje Erste Banka Rijeka (CRO)
In this big game to be staged in Athens host Olympiacos badly needs a win after letting the Berlin win slip out of their hands. The Greeks started the prelims with two ties: while the first point was a valuable one in Eger, the second was more of a loss of two as they led 0-5 in Berlin, against Spandau, but the disastrous last period (4-0 for the Germans) cost them a lot. In a group where only two berths are on offer such a slump can become decisive. However, Olympiacos can restore its pride and regain its position among the leaders if the home players could provide their best to beat Primorje. The Croats were runners-up in last May and posted convincing performances both in Herceg Novi and at home against Eger. A win in Pireaus would ensure a huge advantage for them in the hunt for the qualifying places.
Ivan Asic, head coach of Primorje “This would not be an easy test for us. We must be able to play at the highest level in Greece. Olympiakos played two away games which ended in ties. They must win in order to keep up a battle for Final six positions. As far as my team is concerned, we want another victory. There is a tough time behind us, we had to overcome many injuries and illnesses of our key players. I just hope that we will give our best in a very interesting match.”
19.00 Jadran Carine Herceg Novi (MNE) v Spandau 04 Berlin (GER)
The two lower ranked sides collide, none of them can nurse dreams of reaching the final stage, however, they showed their strengths recently. Passing the tough tests in the qualification, Jadran had a really good game against Primorje at home in the opening round, almost clinching a draw against the Croats. Though they went down in Barcelona but they are definitely stronger in their home and they are definitely looking forward to earn their first win. Still, they face a team on fire, as Spandau produced the miracle of Day 2 coming back from 0-5 down against Olympiacos: that tie against the great Greek team surely gives some extra confidence for the Germans.
Vladimir Gojkovic, head coach of Jadran: “This is first game where we can come up with our best performance and get the first points. Spandau 04 is very good team, with good players not only from Germany. Compared to us, they have more experience in the Champions League. In their last game against Olympiacos they were excellent. Our team is very young and inexperienced so only with full motivation and hard work of all players we can make success. It is very nice and pleasant to play a Champions League game at home with domestic supporters. I hope all game participants will enjoy a fine game and atmosphere.”
Zeljko Kovacic, captain of Jadran:
“Spandau is a very good team, they had good games in this season, especially the last one with Olympiakos. It will be a very difficult match, but we can have success, especially because we play at home. Last days we had some problems, first of all the injury of our first goalkeeper, hope that he will be OK and be ready for game. Our extra player realisation was not so good in last game with Barceloneta, if we like to win we cannot repeat same mistakes.”
Classification: 1. Barceloneta 6, 1. Primorje 6, 3. Olympiacos 2, 4. Eger 1, 5. Spandau 1, 6. Jadran 0.
Group B
20.15 Jug Croatia Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO) v Szolnoki Dozsa-Kozgep (HUN)
Perhaps the game of the day: this group has already been divided clearly between the favourites and the underdogs – and this is the first clash between two sides starting their respective campaigns with two wins. Jug will play at home for the first time in the prelims: two really important away victories put them on the right track. The Croats beat the other Hungarian side OSC in Budapest and enjoyed a brilliant day in Istanbul while defeating the ever-dangerous Galatasaray with ease. Szolnok also had a fine away-win in Belgrade, downing Partizan with a convincing performance, then in the re-match of the Hungarian league final they managed to overcome on OSC. Last season Jug and Szolnok also met, both games brought a tremendous fight and always the home side prevailed (11-9 in Dubrovnik, 8-7 in Szolnok).
Vjekoslav Kobescak, head coach of Jug: “We have a great match in front of us is one great match. Even last year Szolnok came here to win the match but they lost. Don’t forget it’s not easy to play in Gruz. I know that because I played to many times here with Mladost.”
Paulo Obradovic, player of Jug: “We need to stop outside line of Szolnok. That means the Varga brothers and Stegan Mitrovic. I would like to lock Gabor Kis into his hotel room because he is one of the best centre forwards in the world. Without him, Szolnok is different team.”
Sándor Cseh, head coach of Szolnok: “Jug Dubrovnik has been one of the strongest teams of the Champions League and the Croatian championship. In this season they have very good new players, as they want to build an even stronger team than last year. They are in excellent condition, haven’t lost a point so far, defeated Rijeka in the Adrian League by six goals. Our primary target is to be part of the Final Six. In order to reach our goal we must do our best in Dubrovnik.”
Viktor Nagy, goalkeeper of Szolnok: “It will be a very though and close encounter. The Croatian team finished 4th last year in Champions League. They became even stronger during the summer, they have new, very creative players in the team. Definitely it won’t be easy for us, but we prepared from their team and would like win this game.”
20.15 OSC Budapest (HUN) v Pro Recco (ITA)
The days before this encounter couldn’t have been any different for the two camps: while Recco warmed up for Saturday with a fine 12-4 win against Posillipo in the LEN Super Cup final, OSC lost further two players through injuries. The Hungarian silver medallists have been struggling this season as they couldn’t count on the play of their first centre-forward Joseph Kayes who have to stay in Australia in order to spend enough time before switching citizenship (from New Zealand) and becoming eligible to play for the Aussies in Rio. Now the other centre-forward, Toni Nemet broke his finger in a mid- week game, just as 2m defender Erik Bundschuh… Facing the title-holder with a weakened line-up doesn’t look promising – though this is going to be the first serious challenge for Recco in international waters as their first two games, both at home, were one-sided battles against Galatasaray (15-3) and Partizan (15-4).
Balazs Vincze, head coach of OSC:
“It’s pretty hard to handle this situation. Though we shouldn’t be worried too much, we have to deal with this and take the very best out of it. I’m not happy at all with the current state of play, however, we have to fight on and don’t lower our own expectations. Naturally, we might miss our target at the end but that shouldn’t mean that we already have to collapse in the middle of the season. We have tasks to do, and whatever the outcome will be against Recco, we have to go on and learn how to play well with less players and a modified team structure.”
18.30 Partizan Belgrade (SRB) v Galatasaray Istanbul (TUR)
Four years ago coach Igor Milanovic led Partizan to an unexpected triumph as they crushed Recco in the Champions League final in Rome. Since then everything has changed… Partizan lost almost all of its 2011 victors (and their most prolific scorer, Dusan Mandic has just joined Recco this summer) and Milanovic aslo left his beloved club, won the Champions League with Recco in last May then took over Galatasaray for this season. So this is going to be a really interesting encounter with Partizan’s former legend appearing at the other bench, coaching a handful of Serbians and Montenegrins playing for Galata. Both teams seek their first win and this will definitely result a huge clash.
Classification: 1. Recco 6, 2. Jug 6, 3. Szolnok 6, 4. OSC 0, 5. Galatasaray 0, 6. Partizan 0
