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Men’s European CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – PREVIEW Preliminary Round Day 9

Exciting race for the Eight Finals berths

The penultimate day of the Champions League Preliminary Round will see a handful of crucial matches. The top spot is at stake in two groups (A and D), while the race for the Eight Finals has never been as exciting as it is in Group C.

In Group A, Eger (HUN) meets (RUS) in the big match of the day: the Hungarians seek revenge after their three‐goal loss in October in Volgograd. If they win with a bigger margin they can reach the second place in the group or even the first place in case of a three‐way tie. Playing at home Vouliagmeni (GRE) should collect the three points easily against Hannover (GER) while Schuurman (NED) can secure a berth in the Eight Finals with a win in Tbilisi (GEO).

In Group B, Crvena Zvezda (SRB) can secure the second spot by beating Kreuzlingen (SUI) and Olympiakos (GRE) should come third if they do their job against Montpellier (FRA).

Group C will see crucial matches as only the top spot has been decided. Group‐winner Barceloneta (ESP) meets Novi Sad (SRB) who need to earn a point (or better yet three) if they want to stay in the hunt. Brescia (ITA) faces Marseille (FRA); the Italians are currently ranked 5th but they could even end up 2nd if they can win their last two encounters.

The duel in Group D between Szeged (HUN) and Partizan (SRB) for the top spot continues: the Hungarians hold a two‐point advantage. Since both teams play at home, the situation might remain the same after Day 9.

Matches and Classifications

Group A

19:00 ZF‐Eger (HUN) vs. Spartak Volgograd (RUS)

19:00 Vouliagmeni NC (GRE) vs. Waspo '98 Hannover (GER)

19:00 Ligamus Tbilisi (GEO) vs. Schuurman BZC (NED)

Classification: 1. Vouliagmeni 21, 2. Volgograd 21, 3. Eger 18, 4. Schuurman 6, 5. Hannover 4, 6. Tbilisi 1

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Group B

18:30 Olympiakos Piraeus (GRE) vs. Montpellier Waterpolo (FRA)

20:30 SC Kreuzlingen (SUI) vs. Crvenza Zvezda (SRB)

Classification: 1. Jug Dubrovnik (CRO) 21, 2. Zvezda 12 (6 games), 3. Olympiakos 9 (6), 4. Montpellier 6, 5. Kreuzlingen 0 (6)

Group C

19:30 AN Brescia (ITA) vs. CN Marseille (FRA)

20:00 CN Atletic Barcelona (ESP) vs. VK Vojvodina Novi Sad (SRB)

Classification: 1. Barceloneta 15 (6), 2. (RUS) 10, 3. Marseille 9, 4. Vojvodina 7 (6), AN Brescia (ITA) 6 (6)

Group D

18:00 Partizan Raiffeisen Belgrade (SRB) vs. Wasserfreunde Spandau Berlin (GER)

18:00 A‐HID Szeged Beton (HUN) vs. CSM DiGi Oradea (ROU)

Classification: 1. Szeged 15 (6), 2. Partizan 13 (6), 3. Galatasaray Istanbul (TUR) 10, 4. Oradea 6, 5. Spandau 3 (6)

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Euro Cup

Semi Finals ‐ 2nd Leg

Nothing has been decided in the first legs, even if the teams having won two weeks ago are on the right track to reach the Final. Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) holds a three‐goal advantage against Debrecen (HUN) but the Hungarians will have their Italian star Alex Giorgietti in their line‐up again. The Olympic silver medallist has returned to the team despite the financial difficulties and this is a big boost for them.

Florentia (ITA) gained a two‐goal cushion in Savona (ITA), the title‐holder now travels to Tuscany under pressure – while Florentia players sit in the driving seat, but you never know in an all‐Italian battle.

Euro Cup Semi Finals ‐ 2nd Legs

18:30 Debrecen VSE (HUN) vs. Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) – first leg: 6‐9

20:30 RN Savona (ITA) vs. RN Florentia (ITA) – first leg: 8‐6

6 February 2013

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