FRANCISSWIM - WATER SPORTS: 2021

Thursday, December 23, 2021

OPEN WATER SWIMMING CALENDAR: 2022 RACES & EVENTS

Open water swimming is starting again! The FrancisSwim database contains many Open Water Swimming events for 2022. So whether you’re new to the sport and looking to try outdoor swimming at a local lake or an experienced open water swimmer looking for a challenging long distance sea swim, check out our comprehensive 2022 open water swimming event list below: you’ll find a race that’s perfect for YOU! TO PUBLISH YOUR EVENT SEND EMAIL TO francisswim@gmail.com

Janeiro / JANUARY

16/01 FESTIVAL AQUÁTICO DE PRAIA GRANDE SUP, Natação e Caiaque Canto do Forte, Praia Grande (SP) Brasil

16/01 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

29 e 30/01 TRAVESSIA DA SEPULTURA – Bombinhas – SC - Brasil

30/01 Troféu Waldir de Souza - Caraguatatuba - SP Brasil

Fevereiro / FEBRUARY

05 e 06/02 Copa Brasil de Águas Abertas CBDA João Pessoa - PB - Brasil

05-06/02 OCEANMAN - Cartagena - COLOMBIA

06/02 RAINHA DO MAR – COPACABANA – RIO DE JANEIRO- BRASIL

06/02 Aguas Abiertas Mantilhue - Río Bueno Región de Los Ríos - CHILE

11 a 13/02 Circuito Sertão de Águas Xingó ANMSE SE Brasil

19/02 DESAFIO PRAIA DAS GARÇAS - PROJETO NADANDO PELOS CARTÕES POSTAIS - BELÉM NOVO - PORTO ALEGRE - BRASIL

19/02 Swim Alcatrazes 7 Km Arquipelago de Alcatrazes - Perequê – SP Brasil

19/02 Troféu Waldir de Souza - Wet’n Wild - SP Brasil

20/02 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

20/02 Maratona Aquática Wet'n Wild - Itupeva - SP Brasil

26/02 Nacional de Natación en Aguas Abiertas Futrono región de Los Ríos- CHILE

Março / MARCH

05 e 06/03 CIRCUITO OCEAN – Florianópolis – SC Brasil

13/03 – CIRCUITO LITORAL – LAGOINHA – UBATUBA – SP – BRASIL

13/03 TRAVESSIA A NADO DO RIO JACUÍ – CACHOEIRA DO SUL - RS

13/03 Maratona Aquática e AQUATHLON A3 Sport Grande Lago Lindóia - SP

19/03 PROVA DE NATAÇÃO NOTURNA - Bombinhas - SC - Brasil

20/03 Troféu Waldir de Souza - Jacarei ou Nazaré - SP Brasil

26 e 27/03 AQUAMAN CAPITÓLIO – LAGO DE FURNAS - MG – BRASIL

27/03 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

Abril / APRIL

09 e 10/04 CIRCUITO OCEAN – Garopaba – SC - Brasil

10/04 Troféu Waldir de Souza - Ilhabela - SP Brasil

23/04 Seayou Open Water - Lima - PERU

23 e 24/04 TRAVESSIA DE ZIMBROS – Bombinhas – SC - Brasil

24/04 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

Maio / MAY

15/05 Troféu Waldir de Souza - PARAIBUNA - SP Brasil

21-22/05 Campeonato FPN de Águas Abertas Barragem do Maranhão - Avis - Portugal

22/05 SWIM CHALLENGE CASCAIS – 3 IRON SPORTS - CASCAIS – PORTUGAL

22/05 CIRCUITO LITORAL – PEREQUÊ – ILHABELA – SP - BRASIL

22/05 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

22/05 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Genova Boccadasse

28/05 OCEANMAN - Cattolica Emília-Romanha- ITALY

29/05 1º Trofeo Um mare di Nuoto – Isola D’Elba – Portoferraio - Italy

Junho / JUNE

4-5/06 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Vulcano

05/06 Circuito Águas Abertas – Podium Agência – Ilhabela – SP - Brasil

11/06 La Traversée de la Corniche – Marseille – France Sporting Club Corniche - Les Dauphins

12/06 18.ª Prova de Mar - Baía de Sines (CNLA) Praia Vasco da Gama, Sines - FPN - PORTUGAL

12/06 Troféu Waldir de Souza - Tríade – SBC ou UBATUBA - SP Brasil

18-19/06 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Monate

23-24-25-26/06 LE DÉFI DE MONTE-CRISTO MARSEILLE FRANCE

25/06 XVI Travessia António Bessone Bastos (ANLisboa/CMO Oeiras) - FPN - PORTUGAL

JULHO / JULY

XX/07 Douro Bridges Porto & Gaia Open Water (ANNP) Rio Douro (Porto - Vila Nova de Gaia) - FPN – PORTUGAL

02/07 VII Meeting Internacional Srª da Agonia (CMVC / ANM) Viana do Castelo - FPN - PORTUGAL

03/07 II Meeting Águas da Goma (Clube Desportivo da Goma) Barragem das Andorinhas - Póvoa do Lanhoso - FPN - PORTUGAL

2-3/07 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Baratti

16-17/09 OCEANMAN - Stari Grad - CROÁCIA

17/07 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Maccagno

30/07 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Lignano Sabbiadoro

30 E 31/07 BRAVE AQUAMAN - SACO DO MAMANGUÁ – PARATY – RJ – BRASIL

Agosto / AUGUST

06/08 Seayou Open Water - Tolu - COLOMBIA

07/08 Troféu Waldir de Souza - GUARUJÁ ou Caraguatatuba - SP Brasil

20/08 VIII Travessia Playaitas Resort Gran Tarajal – Ilhas Canarias – Espanha

20/08 XIX Prova de Mar Lagoa - Jorge Lamy (ANAlg / LACG) Praia grande, Ferragudo - FPN - PORTUGAL

21/08 16.ª Prova de Mar de Albufeira (ANAlg / CFF) Praia dos Pescadores, Albufeira - FPN - PORTUGAL

Setembro / SEPTEMBER

03/09 Travesía a Nado South West Tenerife Landmar - Ilhas Canárias - SPAIN

03/09 V Travessia da Barragem de Montargil (ANIC) Barragem de Montargil - FPN - PORTUGAL

10/09 Seayou Open Water - Galápagos - PERU

11/09 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Campionati Italiani OPEN Noli

11/09 MIUS - Madeira Island Ultra Swim (ANMadeira) Câmara de Lobos / Funchal - FPN - PORTUGAL

16-17/09 OCEANMAN - Stari Grad - CROÁCIA

17/09 #LIMPEOLAGOGUAIBA – Dia Mundial da Limpeza – POA - RS

17/09 XII Torneio de Águas Abertas do Rio Mondego (ANC) Coimbra - Mondego - FPN - PORTUGAL

17-18/09 TRAVESSIA DO RIBEIRO DE NATAÇÃO – Travessias Bombinhas – SC

18/09 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

18/09 Troféu Waldir de Souza - SÃO SEBASTIÃO ou Barra do Sahy - SP Brasil

24 e 25/09 CIRCUITO OCEAN – Porto Belo – SC - Brasil

24-25/09 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Peschiera del Garda

Outubro / OCTOBER

02/10 XXXII Travessia dos Templários (ANDS) Praia Fluvial de Vila Nova - FPN - PORTUGAL

05/10 Travessia de Sesimbra (ANL / CMSesimbra) Baia de Sesimbra - FPN - PORTUGAL

08/10 DESAFIO NOTURNO ILHA DAS PEDRAS - BELÉM NOVO - POA - INFORMAÇÕES WHATSAPP 51991415266 OU francisswim@gmail.com

8-9/10 Italian Open Water Tour is in Italy - Ischia

09/10 CIRCUITO LITORAL - BOISSUCANGA – SÃO SEBASTIÃO – SP - BRASIL

15-16/10 TRAVESSIA DE ZIMBROS – Travessias Bombinhas – SC

16/10 Circuito Netuno YPS de Travessias - São Vicente – Praia dos Milionários - SP Brasil

23/10 Troféu Waldir de Souza - RIBEIRÃO PIRES ou Ubatuba - SP Brasil

Novembro / NOVEMBER

04/11 Seayou Open Water - Salinas - ECUADOR

05 e 06/11 CIRCUITO OCEAN – Penha – SC - Brasil

19/11 Troféu Waldir de Souza - TRAV. REVEZAMENTO CARAGUATATUBA x ILHABELA - SP Brasil

19-20/11 OCEANMAN - Vinã del Mar - CHILE

20/11 Troféu Waldir de Souza - ILHABELA - SP Brasil

27/11 DESAFIO 250 ANOS PORTO ALEGRE - PROJETO NADANDO PELOS CARTÕES POSTAIS - RS - BRASIL - INFORMAÇÕES WHATSAPP 51991415266 OU francisswim@gmail.com

Dezembro /DECEMBER

03/12 Seayou Open Water - Lima PERU

03-04/12 TRAVESSIA DA SEPULTURA 3K 03/12/2022 – Travessias Bombinhas – SC

04/12 14ª TRAVESSIA DE TARRAFAL – Cabo Verde

04/12 CIRCUITO LITORAL- COCANHA – CARAGUÁ – SP - BRASIL

17/02 DESAFIO PRAIA DAS GARÇAS - BELÉM NOVO - POA - INFORMAÇÕES WHATSAPP 51991415266 OU francisswim@gmail.com

17 e 18/12 CIRCUITO OCEAN – Palhoça – SC - Brasil

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

USA Water Polo National Team Athletes Cap Up With Top Clubs Abroad For '21-'22 Season

Irvine, CA – December 14, 2021 – Once again the USA Men's and Women's National Teams will wield a major presence on the European club scene. A year after 19 members of the Men's National Team capped up for some of the top clubs abroad, a variety of countries have welcomed Team USA athletes for the 2021-22 season. Some athletes have been competing for their clubs since September while others just arrived with more on the way come early 2022. It's all part of preparation for the 2022 National Team slate which includes the rescheduled 2021 FINA World Championship, now set for Fukuoka, Japan, this May 13-29. The international water polo landscape features a host of athletes with experience at the USA Water Polo and NCAA levels; here's a closer look at current members of the Team USA pipeline.

Seven members of the men's roster from the Tokyo Olympics are competing abroad, including Ben Stevenson who moves from Glyfada in Greece to Olympic Nice in France as well as Max Irving who also departs Greece (Olympiacos) for Telimar in Italy. On the heels of becoming the first-ever USA Water Polo men's athlete to win a Champions League title, Ben Hallock stays with Pro Recco in Italy for a second-straight season.

Wherever Alex Bowen has landed in Europe, his goals have followed. He'll keep chopping this season with Partizan in Serbia, making the move from Apollon in Greece. Bowen will be joined in Belgrade by Marko Vavic who departs AS Roma after one season for Partizan. Drew Holland stays with Chios in Greece while Dylan Woodhead also stays in Greece but will go from Glyfada to Ethnikos.

Fellow National Team athletes who were part of the training group leading up to Tokyo also are back in Europe, including Matt Farmer who sticks with Peristeri in Greece and Kacper Langiewicz who keeps a familiar cap with Kaposvary in Hungary. A year ago, Jack Turner trained with Croatian power JUG, but this time around he'll man the cage for CN Mataro in Spain. Last but not least, lefty Tyler Abramson will make his European debut in the new year, joining CN Posillipo in Italy.

"We are excited to have so many of our athletes competing in Europe with some of the best club teams in the game. High-level competition is very valuable and only makes our team better as we prepare for international competition in 2022. Team USA athletes continuing to play abroad is part of our long-term plan, and I know these athletes, through their play, will continue to become names to know across the water polo world," said Dejan Udovicic, Men's National Team Head Coach.

While the lead-up to Tokyo saw the USA Men set up shop abroad, the USA Women hunkered down at their home base in Los Alamitos for extended residential training during the pandemic. It was the first time in years no one from Team USA played abroad, but that changes this season.

Three-time Olympic champ and Team USA Captain Maggie Steffens is in Barcelona for a return engagement with CN Sabadell. She's joined there by center Brigitta Games, no stranger to Spain as she capped up with CN Mataro in recent years after time in Hungary. Further south, Olympic teammates and Gold Medalists Ashleigh Johnson and Stephania Haralabidis once again will join forces in the Greek league, this time for Ethnikos. The pair had suited up with Vouliagmeni in the 2018-2019 season. The Greek league remains flush with Team USA talent as World Champion Jordan Raney moves from Vouliagmeni to Olympiacos.

"Competing within the various National Leagues and also at the widespread LEN competition gives our athletes an opportunity to expand their minds and skill sets through the exposure to different teammates, training, and style of play. This provides a unique combination for each of them to play professionally while also broadening their minds as they are inserted into a culture that differs from ours. We are thankful for those clubs, and the people within, for welcoming them as one of their own," said Adam Krikorian, USA Water Polo Women's National Team Head Coach.

Between competitions in their country-specific leagues alongside the LEN calendar, Team USA athletes will get no shortage of important competition as they prepare for the summer of 2022. Keep an eye on USAWaterPolo.org as we share updates from the athletes abroad throughout next spring.

Men's National Team Abroad

Ben Stevenson* – Olympic Nice – France

Matt Farmer – Peristeri – Greece

Drew Holland* – Chios – Greece

Dylan Woodhead* – Ethnikos – Greece

Kacper Langiewicz – Kaposvary – Hungary

Max Irving* – Telimar – Italy

Ben Hallock* – Pro Recco – Italy

Tyler Abramson – C.N. Posilipo – Italy

Jack Turner – CN Mataro – Spain

Alex Bowen* – Partizan – Serbia

Marko Vavic* - Partizan - Serbia

*2020 Olympian

Women's National Team Abroad

Jordan Raney – Olympiacos – Greece

Ashleigh Johnson* – Ethnikos – Greece

Stephania Haralabidis* – Ethnikos – Greece

Brigitta Games – CN Sabadell – Spain

Maggie Steffens* – CN Sabadell – Spain

*2020 Olympian

Greg Mescall

DECATHLONPORTUGAL - Committed & dedicated to sports with over 2,000 stores, across 56 countries in 5 continents, with close to 100,000 passionate people. Quality swimming products are at Decathlon PT. Here you can buy sporting goods with the best cost benefit! Be sure to check out the offers for exclusive brands, as they bring you products for you to play more than 65 sports with the best quality. We have the best prices on products and with functional design for the beginner to the high performance sportsman. know more https://tinyurl.com/ezbud9v4

Champions League Water Polo, Main Round, Day 5, Group A – Last-grasp goals earn precious points for Ferencvaros and Brescia

Last season’s runner-up Ferencvaros played another thrilling draw, the fourth in five rounds, this time in Barceloneta, and a bit later bronze medallist Brescia also shared the points with Novi Beograd. Both sides were two goals down late in the game but managed to equalise in the dying seconds so they are still unbeaten. Just like Olympiacos which was the real winner in this round as now they broke two points clear after another convincing win, this time over Jadran.

Group A: Zodiac Atletic Barceloneta (ESP) v FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN) 12-12, Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v Jadran Split (CRO) 12-10, Novi Beograd (SRB) v AN Brescia (ITA) 11-11, Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) v Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) 14-7

Standings: 1. Olympiacos 13, 2. Brescia 11, 3. Ferencvaros 7, 4. Barceloneta 7, 5. Novi Beograd 7, 6. Jadran 6, 7. Radnicki 4, 8. Dinamo 0

Ferencvaros already set a special record in the Champions League, no team ever began its quest with three straight draws – and they added one more. This was different, though, they had had great chances to win any of the first three matches while now in Barceloneta they were trailing for most of the game. In fact, the Magyars were 11-9 down with 2:26 to go, then came back to 11-11 but the Spaniards netted one with 23 seconds remaining. However, Daniil Merkulov scored from a 7 on 6 with 0:02 on the clock, so Ferencvaros is still unbeaten this season.

Olympiacos is also running an unbeaten course, but they are amassing wins – this time the Greeks downed Jadran with ease. With the inspirited play of Ioannis Fountoulis and Filip Filipovic, both scored five goals in the game, they took a 12-6 lead deep into the third. Though their focus was lost for the last 10:03 minutes (no goals, netted four per period up until then), and Jadran started climbing back but the Croats couldn’t come closer after 12-10.

The battle of Novi Beograd and Brescia was also full of twists and turns. Brescia had a great spell in the second and third period, had a 0-4 surge while switching off the Serbian scoring machine for 11:47 minutes and taking a 3-6 lead. Then the hosts came back to life, netted three from as many possessions in 94 seconds and the last period started from 7-7. Dusan Mandic’s brilliant double earned the Serbs a two-goal lead for the first time and they maintained that gap till 11-9 when there were only 76 seconds remaining. Still, it was enough for the Italians to equalise, the point-saver came 5.8 seconds from time, courtesy of Montenegrin leftie Boris Vapenski. This left three teams with 7 points and Radnicki took the chance to cut the gap in the ranks by claiming its first win by knocking out Dinamo.

Recaps

Olympiacos v Jadran 12-10

Though Jadran went ahead right from its first possession, Olympiacos responded with three straight action goals in 2:30 minutes, two of them from counters and added one more from a penalty, shortly before the first break to build a massive 4-1 lead. The Croats needed 7:15 minutes to score again, Marin Delic managed to put away an extra from the right wing and he repeated that later but on both occasions the Greeks replied immediately with 6m shots, so the gap remained the same. The Croats – admittedly focusing on their upcoming cup F4 – weren’t as sharp as in the previous rounds so it was no wonder that soon Olympiacos rushed to 8-3. That was too much for Jadran’s coach Mile Smodlaka who called a timeout which served as temporary help only. Jadran pulled one back but in the third the duo of Filip Filipovic and Ioannis Fountoulis kept on producing great goals to put Olympiacos 12-6 up – the two had 5 goals apiece, netting 10 of the 12 goals of their team.

After taking a six-goal lead, the Greeks’ concentration level started to sink, by the fourth that slowly became embarrassing as Jadran netted its fourth goal in a row to climb back to 12-10 and there were still 3:24 minutes to play. However, the Croats couldn’t come closer so at the end Olympiacos bagged three more points comfortably, while Jadran avoided a bigger defeat which was very much in the cards in the third period.

Barceloneta v Ferencvaros 12-12

The first period offered an open attacking game, leaving little chances for the two young goalies – while in Barceloneta the ‘take-over’ phase in the red-cap position has already begun this season as Unai Aguirre gets more and more matches, it was a bit surprising that the Hungarians opted to field reserve goalie Daniel Szakonyi.

The two net-minders had various fortunes – some big saves were followed by easy goals, though there were a handful of shots which would have definitely beat veteran Dani Lopez or Soma Vogel. Anyway, the match was quite entertaining, the first five goals came from action before Felipe Perrone put away a 6 on 4, then Daniil Merkulov sent the ball home from a 6 on 5 to give Ferencvaros a 3-4 lead in the first period.

Marc Larumbe’s fine action shot kicked off the second, then Szakonyi caught a penalty but later he couldn’t put a hand on two more balls coming from the distance. At the other end, Nemanja Ubovic missed a huge one-on-one chance from the centre at 4-4 and that also marked a significant drop in the visitors’ efficiency in attack. They could net one goal in this period, after a steal and the ensuing counter but had two man-ups where they couldn’t even take a shot, so the home side was 6-5 up at halftime. Martin Famera blasted his second – that was a real rocket –, Denes Varga responded with his hard-to follow wrist shot then came another crucial possession: the Magyars killed a man-down, got the ball but gave it away, the Spaniards recovered it again after a blocked shot and Luke Pavillard hit it from the distance for 8-6. The other leftie Marton Vamos also let the ball fly from the perimeter for 8-7, followed by some fine defensive efforts and turnover fouls and it was the Spaniards who hit first, Unai Lana finished off a counter for 9-7. Vendel Vigvari halved the gap once more from a man-up 39 seconds before the last break.

Three minutes gone in the fourth, when Denes Varga buried a man-up to go even after a long time – they missed one earlier – but the Spaniards – bit of struggling up until then – responded immediately with another perimeter shot from Larumbe. Aguirre made a great save at Ubovic’s shot from the centre and that seemed to be decisive as Larumbe added one more, this time from the lefties’ side, again from action, it was his fourth and Barceloneta led 11-9 with 2:26 remaining. The Hungarians weren’t done, though, Fekete dunked a man-up for 11-10 and soon they earned a fourth man-up in this period – the Spaniards got none before that – and Merkulov equalised after a timeout for 11-11, 58 seconds from time. It was 0:36 on the clock when the Spaniards could set themselves up for a 6 on 5, also after a timeout, and they played it brilliantly as Famera had an easy put-away from close. Still, there were 23 more seconds to play, the Magyars went for a 7 on 6 and their Russian master-shooter Merkulov found the way among the blocking arms to make it 12-12 and save his team’s unbeaten run.

Novi Beograd v Brescia 11-11

The first period brought what one might have expected from this match, it was a balanced battle, both sides had fine finishes, the Serbs had one more and led 3-2. From the second quarter, the game-pattern switched to become a roller-coaster and the Serbs went down first. Well, they hit the rock-bottom indeed as nothing worked in front, they even missed a penalty – though credits went to Brescia’s goalie Petar Tesanovic for that – while Brescia netted two to go 3-4 ahead by halftime. The host sides’ miseries continued in the third as Christian Prescutti scored a third straight man-up goal for the Italians and soon Vincenzo Renzuto made it 3-6 from action. Then, all of a sudden, the hosts started rolling. Once Strahinja Rasovic halted their disastrous 11:47-minute long offensive blackout, they came back to 6-6 in a span of 94 seconds from back-to-back possessions. Djordje Lazic came up with his trademark backhanded centre-shot for 6-7 but Dusko Pijetlovic converted an extra 21 seconds before the last break.

And it was Brescia which began to fall in the fourth, thanks to Dusan Mandic who produced two fantastic goals despite being double-guarded on both occasions (and he was way off his usual form for three periods, making his efforts even more remarkable). The Italians needed 3:20 minutes to score in this period, Vincenzo Dolce netted an extra for 9-8 but Strahinja Rasovic scored his fourth, also from a man-up. Soon Boris Vapenski had some luck but with only 1:19 remaining, the Serbs earned a penalty during a man-up and Mandic completed his hat-trick in the fourth. At 11-9, Brescia had only one option, scoring twice from the two (possibly) remaining possessions. And they just did that. Stefano Luongo buried another man-up, then the Serbs played only with the time but not the ball, soon Brescia earned one more 6 on 5, and even though their first shot was brilliantly saved by Gojko Pijetlovic, Vapenski got the ball from the corner-throw and sent it under the crossbar with 5.8 seconds from time. Thus, he also saved his team’s unbeaten run in the dying moments, just as it happened to Ferencvaros earlier in the evening.

Radnicki v Dinamo 14-7

Dinamo could play one tighter match so far, when Jadran laid back too early on Day 2 in Split after taking a 14-7 lead and the Georgians fought themselves back to lose the game by two at the end. Otherwise, they were badly beaten in their other three encounters, conceded 20 goals twice and 19 once. In Split they got 15 – now they finished the match with 14 in the back, though they had no chance to earn a point this time either.

The Serbs didn’t leave much room for doubt, stormed to a 3-0 lead early on and never looked back. They were expanding the gap period by period, and they never took their legs off of the gas – pushed as hard as they could, and the game was virtually decided by halftime as they went 7-3 up. Milos Cuk led their charge, netted four goals but a couple of young guns also enjoyed some fine moments as Radnicki claimed its first win in the group.

Before Tuesday, four teams stood with 6 points ahead of Radnicki which collected only one in four rounds. None of those sides managed to win today (three were part of the tied matches, Jadran lost), so Radnicki’s hope strengthened a bit as these three points cut the gap somewhat.

Fixtures – Group B (Wednesday)

19.00 CN Marseille (FRA) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)

19.00 Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v Steaua Bucharest (ROU)

19.00 OSC Budapest (HUN) v Pro Recco (ITA)

20.00 Crvena Zvezda (SRB) v Jug Adriatic Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO)

Standings: 1. Recco 12, 2. Marseille 9, 3. Jug 9, 4. OSC 7, 5. Hannover 5, 6. Zvezda 3, 7. Spandau 1, 8. Steaua 0

For all information, visit our dedicated website:

www.championsleague.len.eu

Champions League Water Polo, Main Round, Day 5 – Six plus two crucial matches

Courtesy: LEN

Both groups will see three clashes apiece where each game features two of the top six seeded sides – even if we are still in the early stages of the main round, these results might be crucial on the long run.

Top-ranked and so far unbeaten sides in Group A face another tough tests. Olympiacos has a bit easier task as the Greeks meet Jadran at home – it’s going to be interesting to see the home side’s Croatian aces against the visiting Croats. Brescia travels to Serbia to play F8 host Novi Belgrade. The newly shaped team had some ups and downs, claimed two wins and two losses while Brescia showed the usual consistency and a win here would definitely strengthen the position of last season’s bronze medallists.

Perhaps the most crucial match takes place in Barcelona where Barceloneta collides Ferencvaros. Both reached the semis last season (finished 4th and 2nd respectively), both collected six points so far, but their routes were different. While Barceloneta won two and lost two (two weeks ago they were absolutely inferior in Piraeus), Ferencvaros is still unbeaten as they had had three draws before they beat Novi Beograd in a thriller. The Hungarians are fresh from winning the domestic cup but having two gruelling matches in less than 24 hours might affect their performance on Tuesday. The fourth match offers a fine chance for Radnicki to clinch its first win in the group against Dinamo and climb a bit closer to the favourites.

Title-holder Recco visits Hungary to play two matches: the first one against OSC in the Champions League, the second one with Szolnok for the Super Cup next Monday (and they will have trainings in Budapest between the two). Indeed, OSC lost to Szolnok a bit surprisingly in the domestic cup semis on Friday, it was another slump in a busy season, soon after going down against Marseille at home. Taking on Recco will not be any easier, though OSC can come up with stunning performances on given days.

After losing to Recco at home on the opening day, Marseille stormed to three straight away wins, including stunners in Dubrovnik and in Budapest and those set up the French to become frontrunners in this group. Now they play at home against Hannover – the Germans pulled off a great win in Belgrade on Day 4, so this is still not a clear favourite versus underdog battle.

Despite a surprising home loss to Marseille, Jug managed to keep its household in order on the other days and the team is running for its fourth win. However, a Croatian visit to Belgrade always offers special flavours and excitements and Zvezda needs the points badly to keep up with the others. Just like in Group A, here the game of the two winless sides, Spandau and Steaua is already a kind of ‘staying alive’ challenge for both.

Champions League, Day 5 – Fixtures

Group A (Tuesday)

19.00 Zodiac Atletic Barceloneta (ESP) v FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN)

19.15 Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) v Jadran Split (CRO)

19.45 Novi Beograd (SRB) v AN Brescia (ITA)

20.30 Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) v Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)

Standings: 1. Olympiacos 10, 2. Brescia 10, 3. Ferencvaros 6, 4. Barceloneta 6, 5. Novi Beograd 6, 6. Jadran 6, 7. Radnicki 1, 8. Dinamo 0

Group B (Wednesday)

19.00 CN Marseille (FRA) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER)

19.00 Spandau 04 Berlin (GER) v Steaua Bucharest (ROU)

19.00 OSC Budapest (HUN) v Pro Recco (ITA)

20.00 Crvena Zvezda (SRB) v Jug Adriatic Osiguranje Dubrovnik (CRO)

Standings: 1. Recco 12, 2. Marseille 9, 3. Jug 9, 4. OSC 7, 5. Hannover 5, 6. Zvezda 3, 7. Spandau 1, 8. Steaua 0

DECATHLON PORTUGAL - Committed & dedicated to sports with over 2,000 stores, across 56 countries in 5 continents, with close to 100,000 passionate people. Quality swimming products are at Decathlon PT. Here you can buy sporting goods with the best cost benefit! Be sure to check out the offers for exclusive brands, as they bring you products for you to play more than 65 sports with the best quality. We have the best prices on products and with functional design for the beginner to the high performance sportsman. know more https://tinyurl.com/ezbud9v4

World Triathlon sanctions the Russian Triathlon Federation

World Triathlon’s Executive Board has decided to sanction the Russian Triathlon Federation due to the significant number of doping cases in Russia. The sanction will be effective for one year, and World Triathlon will review quarterly that these measures are being followed.

The sanctions approved by the Executive Board, consists of the following:

- The Russian Triathlon Federation will reach an agreement with RUSADA to test all Russian athletes, especially all those athletes who will be competing internationally.

- The Russian Triathlon Federation will, together with World Triathlon, create an education plan for Russian athletes and coaches in regard to doping issues.

- The Russian Triathlon Federation will compensate and refund the prize monies previously awarded to the Russian triathletes sanctioned with doping offences.

- Russian Triathlon Federation officials must resign from any World Triathlon and European bodies for the period of one year.

- The Russian Triathlon Federation cannot organise any World or European Triathlon events for one year (until the end of 2022).

- The Russian National Federation is to reimburse World Triathlon for all costs (including but not limited to laboratory fees, hearing expenses and travel) related to any of the violations of the Anti-Doping Rules committed by their athletes and coaches.

- Sanctions must be taken inside the Russian National Triathlon Federation for any coach or official that is involved in any doping violation, and collaboration must be made with World Triathlon disciplinary bodies.

World Triathlon is fully committed with the fight against any form of doping in the sport. As an unequivocal confirmation of its commitment to eradicating the use of prohibited substances and methods in triathlon, World Triathlon continues to commit time, effort, energy and a substantial budget to its anti-doping mission.

ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON

World Triathlon is the international governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the sport to be extraordinary.

DECATHLON PORTUGAL - Committed & dedicated to sports with over 2,000 stores, across 56 countries in 5 continents, with close to 100,000 passionate people. Quality swimming products are at Decathlon PT. Here you can buy sporting goods with the best cost benefit! Be sure to check out the offers for exclusive brands, as they bring you products for you to play more than 65 sports with the best quality. We have the best prices on products and with functional design for the beginner to the high performance sportsman. know more https://tinyurl.com/ezbud9v4

Monday, December 13, 2021

Women’s Euro League Water Polo, Preliminary Round – Greece, Hungary and Russia two teams in the quarters

It was a fantastic weekend with outstanding battles but only eight teams remained standing after the preliminary round in the Euro League. In terms of participation and qualifying, two Greek teams out of 4 made the quarters, Hungary was 3/2, Russia 2/2, while Spain and Italy closed somewhat painful days as only one Spanish team out of 4 survived this round, and one Italian out of 3. All four teams from last season’s Final Four made the quarters, the biggest casualty is perhaps Italy’s Orizzonte, the most decorated club in history with 8 titles – the Italians bowed out without a win.

For detailed results and stats, click here http://len.microplustiming.com/leneuroleaguewomen/indexCL_web.php?cal=1

Group E (Sabadell): 1. Astralpool-Sabadell (ESP) 6, 2. Dunaujvarosi Foiskola (HUN) 6, 3. CN Mataro (ESP) 6, 4. FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN) 0. Three-way tie: Sabadell +2, Dunaujvaros +1, Mataro –3

Group F (Athens): 1. Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 9, 2. Ethnikos Piraeus (GRE) 6, 3. CN Terrassa (ESP) 3, 4. SIS Roma (ITA) 0

Group G (Budapest): 1. UVSE Budapest (HUN) 7, 2. Dynamo Uralochka Zlatoust (RUS) 6, 3. Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) 3, 4. Orizzonte Catania (ITA) 1

Group H (Padova): 1. Plebiscito Padova (ITA) 7, 2. Kinef Kirishi (RUS) 5, 3. CN Mediterrani (ESP) 4, 4. NC Glyfada (GRE) 0

The ‘Spanish-Hungarian’ quartet in Sabadell saw one club from each nation going through though it was open till the last moment which Spanish side would make the cut. Five-time winner Sabadell beat both Hungarian sides with ease in the first two rounds while last season’s runner-up Dunaujvaros offered a brilliant performance while crushing Mataro on the opening day. The Hungarians needed a win against fellow Ferencvaros to secure their place in the best eight which they delivered. Then came the Spanish derby where Mataro needed a four-goal win to oust Sabadell – and even if it looked like a mission impossible, they came close in the third period twice when took a 4-7, then a 6-9 lead. With 3:00 minutes to go, it was still 8-10 but after that only Sabadell scored, once, and that sent them through in the first place.

In Group F the Greek sides advanced ‘hand in hand’: both Piraeus based teams claimed victories on the first two days before title-holder Olympiacos downed Ethnikos on Sunday to finish first. Ethnikos pipped Terrassa for the second place by beating the Spaniards in a thriller. Being down 4-6 late in the third, the Greeks netted three in a row before the last break, though Terrassa equalised in the fourth, Ethnikos managed to score the winner 77 seconds from time.

Group G featured two teams of last season’s Final Four and both UVSE and Uralochka went through at the expense of Vouliagmeni and Orizzonte. The Hungarians won a brilliant match against the Russians, trailed 10-11 before the last period but three unanswered goals secured their first place. Uralochka beat Orizzonte 15-8 in a surprisingly lopsided match, and after the loss to UVSE they had a do-or-die encounter with the Greeks. In the third, Vouliagmeni jumped to a 6-10 lead, and they still were 9-11 up in the fourth but the Russians staged a brilliant 3-0 surge, netting the winner 38 seconds before the end.

Goalie Anna Karnaukh was the hero of LEN Trophy-winner and former champion Kinef Kirishi – she netted the equaliser against Mediterrani 15 seconds from time when the Russians went for a 7 on 6 in their last possession. As it turned out, that sent Kinef through as they also drew with Padova on the last day. Padova saved the day for Italy as they managed to clinch the first place in the group while the other two Italians sides finished the weekend without a win.

The draw for the quarter-finals will be held in Athens on 18 December, on the occasion of the women’s Super Cup final between Olympiacos and Kinef Kirishi. Winners of the QF will play in the Final Four while the losing sides will clash for the LEN Trophy.

Andrew Parsons re-elected as International Paralympic Committee (IPC). President for second term

Brazilian Andrew Parsons has been re-elected for a second four-year term as President of International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Parsons, who was standing unopposed, received 156 yes votes (98 per cent) of the 159 valid votes at the 20th IPC General Assembly which was held virtually on Sunday, 12 December.

Parsons, the former President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and Americas Paralympic Committee, has served various roles within the Paralympic Movement over the last 24 years since starting out as an intern at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. He was elected as IPC President in September 2017, succeeding Sir Philip Craven who stepped down after 16 years.

“I would like to thank the IPC membership for your support, it is an absolute honour to be re-elected as President of the International Paralympic Committee,” said Parsons. “I started as an intern in the Brazilian Paralympic Committee 24 years ago so to be re-elected after, what I think was a successful first four years, is fantastic, I am so over the moon.

“I also want to congratulate all of the Board members who have been elected, including our Vice President Duane Kale who did a very good job over the last four years chairing the working group on the governance review.

“It’s a very interesting and new Board; we have more women than ever before and, with the Chair of the Athletes’ Council, we have eight former Para athletes or Paralympians. This will help us a lot over the next four years.

“We are saying goodbye to some Board members who were trying for re-election and I would like to thank them all for the last four years. We have achieved so much together, and it was an honour serving this organisation, and the athletes with you.

“This General Assembly was not just about elections but also about approving the new IPC Constitution. This was a very important step to our governance and our purpose. Our purpose is clearer than ever before, it’s about the athletes and the membership, the Paralympic Games and it’s about human rights. The newly elected Board will help us with this implementation.

“Our organisation is going through an incredible moment in time even though we are still facing the pandemic. With successful Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, we showed to the world what this Movement is about, what we stand for and how we focus on the well-being of our members and our athletes.”

During his first four-year term Parsons transformed the culture within the IPC to make it a more membership-focussed, athlete-centred organisation and oversaw the safe and successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He strengthened the IPC’s relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), signing a new agreement between the two organisations which provides financial stability for the IPC and maintains the “one city, two Games” model through to 2032. By adding a third strategic pillar to the IPC activities focusing on advancing the human rights of persons with disabilities, he has also redefined the IPC’s purpose.

In addition to Parsons’ re-appointment, New Zealander Duane Kale was also re-elected for a second four-year term as IPC Vice President. Standing unopposed, the four-time Paralympic swimming champion received 154 yes votes from the 159 valid votes.

Having competed at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, Kale served as the New Zealand Chef de Mission for the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games. Since election as IPC Vice President in 2017 he has chaired and led the IPC governance review process and chaired the IPC Audit & Finance Committee.

Duane Kale said: “I want to thank the membership for their endorsement of my second consecutive term as Vice President of the IPC and the opportunity to serve alongside President Andrew Parsons. Despite the challenges faced, we have made significant advancements in the delivery of our strategic plan and with our Purpose. There is no doubt with the momentum we have, that the next four-year cycle will continue to deliver for our athletes, members and the Paralympic Movement. It is an honour to serve this incredible organisation.”

On Sunday, the IPC membership also elected 10 Members at Large following three rounds of voting. Overall, the IPC Governing Board now includes a record six female Board members, including IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson Jitske Visser. The Board also includes a record eight Para athletes and Paralympians.

The Members at Large elected are to serve four-year terms are:

· Debra Alexander (South Africa – World Triathlon)

· Mohamed Alhameli (UAE – NPC)

· Muffy Davis (USA – NPC)

· Miki Matheson (Japan – NPC)

· Chelsey Gotell (Canada – NPC)

· Jai-Jun Chung (Korea – NPC)

· Luca Pancalli (Italy – NPC)

· John Petersson (Denmark – NPC)

· Majid Rashed (UAE – Asian Paralympic Committee)

· Robyn Smith (Australia – Virtus)

Jitske Visser, Chair of the IPC Athletes’ Council, said: “On behalf of the IPC Athletes' Council, I would like to congratulate all the members who were successfully elected to the IPC Governing Board.

“Out of the 13 Governing Board members, eight are Para athletes and Paralympians. As the official athlete representative on the Board, it is phenomenal to see so many athletes stepping into leadership positions, thus, increasing the athlete perspective into the policy and decision-making as we navigate the future of our movement.

“I am looking forward to working alongside fellow Governing Board members to continue to advance the Paralympic Movement and increase the voice of the athlete community into the decision-making process. “

All Board members elected on Sunday will serve four-year terms through to the 22nd IPC General Assembly which will be held in late 2025. With the approval of a new IPC Constitution by IPC members on Saturday (11 December), the First Vice-Chair of the IPC Athletes’ Council, will also serve on the IPC Governing Board alongside Visser. The First Vice-Chair will be elected by their fellow IPC Athletes’ Council members post the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

About the International Paralympic Committee:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. It co-ordinates the organisation of the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Winter Games. The IPC’s vision is to make for an inclusive world though Para sport.

For further information, please contact Philip Dorward, IPC Head of Communications

World Triathlon 1st Vice President Debra Alexander, re-elected Member at Large of the IPC

World Triathlon First Vice President Debra Alexander (RSA) has been elected Member at Large of the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board. At the IPC General Assembly, held virtually this weekend, Dr Alexander was elected in the first round, with 84 votes out of 173 possible ones. This will be the second term for the World Triathlon First Vice President serving on the Governing Board of the IPC.

IPC President, Andrew Parson, has also been re-elected for an additional four-year term, receiving 98% of the valid votes at the General Assembly, while Duane Kale from New Zealand was re-elected IPC Vice President for a second successive term, with the support of 97% of the IPC membership vote.

The elected members at large of the IPC are:

Debra Alexander (South Africa – World Triathlon)

Mohamed Alhameli (UAE – NPC)

Jai-Jun Chung (Korea – NPC)

Muffy Davis (USA – NPC)

Chelsey Gotell (Canada – NPC)

Miki Matheson (Japan – NPC)

Luca Pancalli (Italy – NPC)

John Petersson (Denmark – NPC)

Majid Rashed (UAE – Asian Paralympic Committee)

Robyn Smith (Australia – Virtus)

Dr Alexander is the only Member representing an International Federation, and one of the five females elected as Members at Large.

“I want to express my gratitude to all the IPC members that have honoured me with their confidence and their vote, as well as to the entire team that helped me to get to this point. I promise to serve the Membership loyally and diligently and to be a strong voice for members on the IPC Governing Board. I remain committed to empowering Para Athletes from grass roots to the Paralympic Games and beyond sport and to supporting the delivery of World Class Para Sport events. Finally, I will continue to put athletes first, to ensure their health and safety and equity remain at the forefront of everything we do", she said.

“We are extremely proud that Debbie Alexander has been re-elected, and that our sport will continue to have a presence at the top management level of the Paralympic movement”, said World Triathlon President and IOC member, Marisol Casado. “Debbie has been working tirelessly in the last years for the development of para triathlon and also to take the voice of the International Federations to the IPC, which has proven to be a great pathway for para sport to continue growing. I am convinced that being the great leader and team player that she is, she will continue to shine at the IPC during the next four years”, she explained.