European Club Cup Competition Women’s water polo Euro League kicks off Another brilliant season of women’s water polo action is in sight: the best sides will start their quest for European glory this week at the qualification tournaments of the Euro League. A new competition format has been introduced this year: eight clubs will qualify from the first phase where teams were drawn into four groups. Next come the quarter finals, the winners will play in the Euro League Final Four tournament while the losers of the QFs will compete in the LEN Trophy Final Four. Though the term of qualification might be regarded as something generating less interest, it’s enough to take a look at the groups and everyone should be convinced: this weekend will see tremendous excitement at the four venues of the tourneys. Group A features the title-holder CN Sabadell (ESP), Italy’s premium side Mediterranea Imperia, the ever-dangerous Uralochka Zlatoust (RUS), Hungary’s current No. 2. team UVSE Budapest and France’s best club, Lille. Only two will survive – it’s going to be an amazing series of clashes. Just as in Group B, where the other two great Russian teams, Kinef Kirishi – bronze medallist in the last Final Four – and Ugra Khanty Mansyisk will play, both fielding a handful of national team members. Rapallo (ITA) can also rely on the vast international experience of its players while Het Ravijn (NED), playing at home soil, should have a word on the final outcome. London Otter (GBR) seems to be the underdog in this group. And what we should say while looking at the fixtures of Group C? Italy’s top side, former cup-winner Orizzonte Catania, last season’s Euro Leauge runners-up Vouliagmeni, No. 1. Dutch team ZVL Leiden, Hungerit-Szentes (HUN) and two British teams, Liverpool and Manchester will produce a thrilling tournament. Though Group D has four teams only (France’s Nancy has withdrawn), all are capable to go all the way – but after Sunday only two will have the chance to take a shot at the trophies. LEN Trophy-holder Izmailovo (RUS), Greece’s other great side Olympiacos, the Hungarian champion and tournament host ZF-Eger and Italy’s NGM Firenze should stage memorable matches on all three days. Euro League Qualification Round Group A (to be played in Imperia) CN Sabadell (ESP), Uralochka Zlatoust (RUS), Mediterranea Imperia (ITA), UVSE Budapest (HUN), Lille Universite (FRA) Group B (to be played in Het Ravijn) Het Ravijn Niverdaal (NED), Kinef Surgutneftegas Kirishi (RUS), Ugra Khanty Mansyisk (RUS), Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA), London Otter (GBR) Group C (to be played in Manchester) Geymonat Orizzonte Catania (ITA), ZVL Leiden (NED), Vouliagmeni(GRE), Hungerit-Szentes (HUN), City of Manchester (GBR), City of Liverpool (GBR) Group D (to be played in Eger) ZF Eger (HUN), Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE), NGM Firenze (ITA), Skif CSP Izmailovo Moscow (RUS)
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 09:06:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015