Watch: Sliema ASC edged out by GZC Donk in LEN Challenger Cup after thrilling semi-final

SLIEMA ASC 12

GZC DONK 12

(6-6, 1-1, 3-3, 2-2; GZC Donk win 30-29 on aggregate)

GZC Donk ensured there would be no fairytale ending for Sliema’s adventure in the LEN Challenger Cup as the Blues could not go beyond a 12-12 draw at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Needing to win by a two-goal margin, Sliema were eliminated in the semi-final stage after being unable to overturn the 18-17 defeat in the first leg in the Netherlands.

Yet, despite the elimination, there were still a lot of positives to take for coach Giannis Katrouzanakis.

“Unfortunately, the result was not what we wanted. We were two goals up twice in the first session but we did not keep up the rhythm,” Katrouzanakis said.

“Our youngsters looked a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. Yet, there is lot of positives that we will be taking from this competition. Hopefully, we will build on the experience gained.”   

In a high-scoring opening session, Sliema and GZC Donk shared 12 goals with exchanges starting to get fierce.

Excitement at the Cottonera Pool was at fever pitch. Sliema edged in front most of the time after opening a 2-0 initial lead, but the Dutch side fought back to level the score on every occasion.

GZC Donk nosed ahead for the first time midway through the second session when Tijs Schouwerwou made it 7-6 but Sliema captain John Brownrigg responded immediately. Equilibrium prevailed until the end of the session with the teams changing ends 7-7.

Elijah Schembri and Julian Chircop gave Sliema a two-goal cushion at the start of the third session but Guus van Yperen maintained the cat and mouse trail for a 9-9 scoreline.

Daniel Rizzo emulated Stan van Den Heuvall as the third session ended 10-10.

So, it set up a nail-biting finale with Sliema needing two goals to reach the final.

Jorn Winkel Horst gave the Dutch side the lead again at the start of the fourth session.

Katrouzanakis called a time out to pep his Sliema players with three minutes to go.

And Ben Cachia equalised with an elaborate move that involved at least four players.

Tijs Schouwerwau proved to be a thorn in the Sliema defence as he made it 12-11. But Sliema did not throw in the towel and Zammit converted a five-metre throw with 35 seconds left.

They still need a goal to erase their opponents’ one-goal advantage brought over from the first leg.

But there was no time and Sliema’s European adventure ended on Adam Boujnane’s last block on Zammit’s effort.

SLIEMA ASC

N. Grixti, E. Schembri 2, L. Galea 2, J. Gambin, J. Cassar, B, Cachia, S. Engerer, D. Rizzo, J. Brownrigg, A. Galea 1, J. Chircop 1, D. Zammit 2, B. Busuttil.

GZC DONK

A. Boujnane, K. Veenhuis, C. Westerwouldt 2, R. Terlouw, G. van Yperen 2, J. Nispeling 1, T. Schouwerwou 3, Q. van Den Heunell 2, D. Schouwerwou, J. Winkelhorst 2, B. Bognar.

Refs: Miroslav Mijanovic (Montenegro), Georgios Polychronopoulos (Greece).