Three outstanding
clashes are in sight this Saturday in the first leg of the women’s Euro League
quarter-finals, including the re-match of the last final played in this competition
in 2019, featuring Sabadell (ESP) and Olympiacos (GRE).
Besides the re-match
of the 2019 final, there is an all-Russian duel plus a highly interesting clash
between Mataro (ESP) and UVSE Budapest (HUN). This later encounter is linked to
an ‘old story’ from March 2017 when UVSE met underdog Mataro but fell to the
Spanish side. Back in those years UVSE was in a full-gear search for the most
coveted trophy but could never reached the top height – though their
consolation came soon when they claimed the LEN Trophy. This time many of the
Hungarian champion’s players are still fresh from the Olympic qualification
success with the national team while Mataro is eager to repeat its feat from
four years ago and that promises two great matches.
Catalonia – one day
after the local Swimming Federation celebrated its 100th anniversary – will see
another outstanding match on Saturday. Title-holder Sabadell faces off
Olympiacos Piraeus in the absolute highlight of the quarters. These two sides
played the 2019 final which was one of the most thrilling matches ever seen in
this event. Olympiacos led 11-8 with 5:17 to go but Sabadell staged a resurrection
on Easter Saturday and with a 5-0 rush they clinched their 5th title. The Spaniards
appeared in seven finals since 2011, but Olympiacos also has a great record:
four appearances in the last five Final Fours, won in 2015, was runner-up in 2017
and 2019 so this duel is a mouth-watering contest in anybody’s language.
The third match on
Saturday is an all-Russian derby with 2017 and 2018 champion Kinef Kirishi and
its fiercest home rival Uralochka. Kinef, with no less than ten F4 appearances
since 2005 is the absolute favourite, however, in the current environment no
one may dare to place a sure bet.
The fourth QF was
already played, Italy’s lonely remaining participant SIS Rome drew with 2018
Super Cup winner Dunaujvaros (HUN) and the 11-11 result will offer some huge
excitements for the return leg due on 13 March.
Women’s Euro League,
Quarter-finals, 1st leg
11.45
Astralpool-Sabadell (ESP) v Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE)
15.00 Kinef
Surgutneftegas Kirishi (RUS) v Dynamo Uralochka (RUS)
19.00 CN Mataro (ESP)
v UVSE Budapest Hunguest Hotels (HUN)
Played on 24 February
Lifebrain SIS Rome
(ITA) v Dunaujvarosi Foiskola (HUN) 11-11
For detailed results:
http://len.microplustiming.com/LENEuroLeagueWomen/indexCL_web.php?cal=1
26 February 2021
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