Europe’s finest ready to battle for continental crown in Champions League Final Four

The National Pool in Tal-Qroqq will be the stage for the final chapter of Europe’s most prestigious competition when holders Pro Recco, Novi Beograd, of Serbia, Greek side Olympiacos and Ferencvaros of Hungary will battle it out for the title of champions of Europe between today and Friday.

The Final Four tournament will get underway this evening when holders Pro Recco, winner of the tournament in the last three editions, will face Olympiacos while Ferencvaros take on Novi Beograd in the second semi-final soon after.

ASA president Karl Izzo said that for the ASA this was a huge honour to be hosting such a prestigious tournament on our soil for the next three years.

“To be hosting such a prestigious tournament here in Malta is a significant milestone for aquatic sport here,” Izzo told a news conference.

“I am privileged to be able to welcome to our country some of the best teams in the world of waterpolo. The Final Four tournament will reach the pinnacle of excellence in the sport and we are looking forward to watching some top-class players perform at their best in front of our Maltese fans.

“I have to show my gratitude to the government, particularly Sports Minister Clifton Grima and Clayton Bartolo, the Minister for Tourism, who made it possible for us to host this tournament. I am
also grateful to Mark Cutajar, the SportMalta CEO, who was pivotal in the organisation of this tournament as well as European Aquatics vice-president Kyriakos Giannopoulos for making our dream a reality.”

On his part Giannopoulos, the European Aquatics vice-president lauded the ASA’s ambition to stage this tournament.

“We are pleased to see the huge support that the ASA had from the authorities to organise such a tournament. This is a tournament that everyone is keen to watch as it involves the best teams in the world,” Giannopoulos said.

“The tournament started with 30 teams and now we have only four clubs who boast some of the world’s finest players. I am expecting some exciting games and I am sure it will be a great show for the sport.”
On his part, Sports Minister Clifton Grima is hopeful the tournament will serve as an excellent medium to inspire young Maltese children to start practicing the sport of waterpolo.

“Having succeeded in attaining such a prestigious tournament for the next three years is testament to the great collaboration that exists between the government and the ASA,” Dr Grima said.

“Through this tournament, we want to leave a lasting legacy that will inspire youngsters to take up the sport as well as further strengthening all the structures of the sport. Throughout the last few years, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and we are in a position to be able to host such major international events.

“And our plan is clear, we want this Champions League Final Four tournament will be the first of many high-profile events that we are targeting to stage in Malta in the coming years.”

Pro Recco are set to be the team to beat as the Italian giants are looking to lift the trophy for a fourth successive season.

Tonight they face Olympiacos and Pro Recco are aware of the difficult task awaiting them against the Greek giants.

“At our club, there are always high expectations in every competition we compete in,” Sukno said.

“This has been a very exciting season for us and we are looking forward to another successful challenge in this prestigious competition. All four teams in the tournament are the best in our sport and every season this competition provides a different challenge but we are ready for it.”

“We are aware that we face a tough match against Olympiacos and we have great respect for them,” Pro Recco captain Aleksandar Ivovic said.

“They have some talented Greek players who are joined by three top-notch foreign players. It’s going to be a very tight game that will be decided by fine margins. We need to be at our best to win.”

On his part, the Olympiacos coach said that he is aware that his team have a huge task on their hands against a team they failed to win twice this season.

“It’s true we lost against Pro Recco, but I don’t think that there is too much to fix to beat them,” he said.

“This is a vital match for both teams. We know that we are playing against a team that won the title for the past three years. But I have great faith in my players and I’m confident we can do well.”

Major force

Olympiacos captain Konstantinos Genidounias said that they are ready to fight till the end against Pro Recco.

“Pro Recco are a great force and you can never expect to beat them,” he said.

“Our club managed to beat them twice in this competition in 2018 and 2019 but this season we lost two very close matches against them. I believe that both teams have improved since those meetings and we need to fight till the end.”

The second semi-final sees Ferencvaros start a bit like underdogs against last season’s finalists Novi Beograd.

Ferencvaros coach Balazs Nyeki said that his team are up against one of the best sides in Europe.

“I am very pleased with the results achieved by our team this season,” he said.

“We know that we are facing one of the best teams in Europe in Novi Beograd. But I believe in my team and hopefully, the players will deliver.”

Team captain Denes Varga said that he is determined to end the season with two more victories and the European title.

“I am very excited for this challenge,” Varga said.

“This season has provided very few disappointing memories and I want to keep this streak going by securing two more victories.”

Novi Belgrade were beaten by Pro Recco in last year’s final but are determined to go all the way this time around.

“I don’t know if our fans are satisfied with just a place in the final four,” coach Zivko Gocic said.

“We have two more matches to go and we want to give our best. It’s going to be tough against Ferencvaros but we will fight throughout the match so that we get the win that will take us to another final.”

Captain Filip Filipovic said that the Champions League Final Four will be the last tournament for him as a player and is hopeful Malta will turn out to be a lucky charm for him to end his career in style.

“It’s a great honour for me to finish my career in the Champions League Final Four,” Filipovic said.

“I started my waterpolo journey 23 years ago at Partizan Belgrade and now I am here for the final leg. I will do my best to ensure this tournament in Malta will be a memorable ending to what has been a great career for me.” ­