Ferencvaros crowned 2024 Champions League winners after thrilling finale against Pro Recco

PRO RECCO 11
FERENCVAROS 12
(2-2, 2-4, 3-3, 4-3)

FERENCVAROS D. Szakonyi, D. Mandic 4, Z. Pohl, D. Merkulov , S. Argyropoulos 2, E. Di Somma 1 , G. Fekete, V. Vigvari 1, T. Nemet, D. Varga 2, S. Jansik 2, A. Nagy, S. Vogel.
PRO RECCO M. Del Lungo, F. Di Fulvio 2 , G. Zalanki 1 , G. Cannella 1 , A. Younger 2, A. Fondelli, N. Presciutti, G. Echenique , F. Condemi , K. Kakaris 2, M. Iocchi Gratta 2, B. Hallock 1 , T. Negri.
Referees Boris Margeta, Adrian Alexandrescu.

Ferencvaros denied Pro Recco a fourth title in a row to land the Champions League for a second time in their history on Friday.

The Hungarians were the last team to put their hands on the cup in 2019 before the Italians’ feat of three consecutive titles.

The game itself was a fitting finale to a great Final Four tournament, impeccably organised by the ASA and SportMalta.

LEN president Antonio Jose Silva lauded the organisation of the championship, saying the atmosphere at the National Pool, the public, and the teams contributed to the success of the tournament.

The Italians opted for very stringent press to unsettle their opponents. But to Hungarians’ credit, their rearguard dealt very well with Pro Recco’s otherwise hesitant efforts on extra-man sets. Ferencvaros on their part, converted their first man-up opportunity to open the score.

Sandro Sukno’s side finally converted their first man-up on a third time of asking with Matteo Iocchi Gratta before Giacomo Cannella made it 2-1 for the Italians.

Dusan Mandic drew level just before the end of the first session, profiting from a double man-up set.
In the second session, Ferencvaros took the initiative, conducting the game scorewise. They took a two-lead before the change of ends, with Mandic firing on all cylinders.

As is customary, the final was hard-fought and Pro Recco reduced the arrears with a great backhand by Kostantinos Kakaris. However, Ferencvaros went three goals up with two quick goals from Stylianos Argyropoulos and Denes Varga.

The Italians fought back to keep within striking distance of their opponents with Gergo Zalanki and Benjamin Hallock. Argyropoulos allowed the Hungarians to restore their two-goal cushion before the final eight minutes.

Both teams lost several chances on extra-man sets, with Pro Recco’s wastefulness in this respect, especially in the late stages was evident, also contributing to their downfall. The Italian lost two consecutive man-up situations at the start of the fourth session.

But Aaron Younger’s knack of scoring at the right moment rewarded the Italians’ comeback efforts.
Iocchi Gratta thought he had equalised on 10-10 but his goal was annulled after a VAR review with Zalanki excluded without substitution and Ferencvaros given a penalty.

From the possibility of drawing level Pro Recco found themselves two down with Varga converting the nine-metre throw.

It was a pivotal moment as Ferencvaros appeared to be in control with an extra man in the water. But Pro Recco skipper Francesco di Fulvio led the Italians’ late surge.

The Hungarians may have been justified when betraying signs of apprehension when their advantage was reduced to just 12-11 with 2 minutes left.

With 18 seconds to go, Daniel Szankonyi made a vital block on Francesco Condemi to keep their slender advantage intact until the end.