The four triumphant sides at the end of the Euro Cup qualifying process will clash with the four losing teams coming from the third qualification round of the Champions League in the Euro Cup quarterfinals. Three Italian and two Hungarian clubs waited for the draw, and there is a chance that we might see the representative of these two nations reaching the semis.
The teams from Naples staged some successful campaigns in recent years in the Euro Cup and both Canottieri and Posillipo can be regarded the favourites in the upcoming quarters against Oradea (ROU) and Jadran (MNE) respectively.
The Budapest based clubs will have a tougher road, especially BVSC which faces Verona. For the third Italian side it’s going to be another Hungarian test, they failed the first one in the Champions League, going down against OSC Budapest in the qualifications but this time they can better their record.
The other team from the Magyar capital, Ferencvaros will travel to Rijeka. Primorje had also bad memories from the Hungarians as they fell to Eger in the Champions League qualifications and they seem to be the underdogs once more against FTC which has become almost as strong as in its last heydays in the second part of the 90s.
Before the draw, representatives of the twelve participating Champions League sides met with LEN Officials in Rome. LEN Operational Manager Marco Birri presented the communication and marketing plans for this season’s preliminary round. Good news for the water polo fans that all games can be followed live this season, either on the various TV channels or through live streaming on the web.
“We are to provide live streaming from each game in the main round” Marco Birri said. “Our partner, Microplus distributed the necessary equipment for the clubs here so using this and by involving the respective local broadcasting partners, all matches can be followed live throughout the world on the LEN website either through streaming or our live-score application.” The Champions League main round kicks off on 30 November, the same day when the first leg of the Euro Cup quarters will be played.
Quarterfinals, Euro Cup – Draw
DiGi Oradea (ROU) v Canottieri Napoli (ITA)
BVSC-Zuglo (HUN) v Verona (ITA)
Primorje Rijeka (CRO) v Ferencvaros Budapest (HUN)
Posillipo Napoli (ITA) v Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE)
Playing dates: 30 November and 10 December 2016
