Women’s club water polo is going through a revival: after a couple of years with less interest and financial struggles, more and more clubs sign up to the top European competition. Hungary, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands all have three teams in this season.
According to the draw, two Hungarian, two Dutch and two Greek sides will have a respective in-house battle while chasing the top spots in the qualifications. Dunaujvaros and BVSC, both from Hungary, will also face a pretty tough contest against Italy’s Messia, while Vouliagmeni and newcomer Rethymno, both from Greece are going to have a thrilling clash against Spain’s Andreu and Dutch host Utrecht. The other Dutch teams, Donk and Leiden will not go through less excitements with Ugra (RUS) and Bogliasco (ITA) being drawn to their group.
They might send their greetings to their legendary Olympic champion player Iefke van Belkum who participated in the draw, held in Alphen (NED) on the occasion of the junior Europeans.
Draw, Euro League
Playing dates: 1-4 December, 2016
Group A (Dunaujvaros, HUN): Dunaujvaros (HUN), BVSC Budapest (HUN), Waterpolo Despar Messina (ITA), SV Nikar Heidelberg (GER)
Group B (Utrecht, NED): Vouliagmeni (GRE), CN Andreu (ESP), Rethymno (GRE), Bayer 08 Urdingen Krefeld (GER), UZSC Utrecht (NED)
Group C (Porto, POR): Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS), Fluvial Portuense Porto (POR), Rari Nantes Bogliasco (ITA), Widex GZC Donk (NED), ZVL Bam Leiden (NED)
Group D (Padova, ITA): CN Mataro (ESP), Plebiscito Padova (ITA), Lille UC (FRA), Otter London (GBR)
The first three seeded teams from each group will qualify for the prelims, where they will join CN Sabadell (ESP), UVSE Budapest (HUN), Kinef Kirishi (RUS) and Olympiakos Piraeus (GRE).
