For this Saturday, the fiercest battles are forecasted for Kharkiv where
Ukraine takes on Turkey, in Minsk where Belarus clashes with Malta and
perhaps in Tbilisi where Georgia faces Israel. These three encounters can
produce some thrilling moments, though Malta and Georgia are still favoured
to retain their respective berths for Barcelona 2018, they showed some fine
moments in the Europa Cup prelims last weekend.
As for the other matches, it’s hard to see members of the ‘old guard’ bowing
out. Almost all of them had great preparations in the Europa Cup while
playing with the top sides of the continent. The Netherlands, Romania and
Germany all showed some strength while France even managed to make the
cut for the Super Final. These sides, also Slovakia, are overwhelming
favourites to return to the big stage this July, in most cases a decisive win
already in the first leg is very much in the cards.
A great show is due in France as the respective draws paired the French with
neighbouring Switzerland both in the men’s and women’s play-offs so this
weekend will see back-to- back matches in Limoges (to be repeated next week
in Uster).
European Water Polo Championships, Men’s Qualification Play-offs, 1 st leg
14.30 Netherlands v Lithuania
15.00 Portugal v Slovakia
17.00 Belarus v Malta
18.00 Poland v Germany
18.00 Romania v Czech Republic
18.30 Georgia v Israel
20.00 Ukraine v Turkey
20.30 France v Switzerland
Women
18.00 France v Switzerland
Return leg: 3 March
