The Final Four delivered two contrasting but equally dramatic semi-finals, with Pro Recco and Zodiac CNAB (Barceloneta) securing their places in the final after memorable performances.
While the Italian giants dominated Olympiacos in a high-scoring encounter, Barceloneta survived a dramatic penalty shootout against Ferencvaros after a match full of momentum swings and late drama.
ZODIAC 13
FTC TELEKOM 11
(3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 4-2)
A dramatic semi-final clash went down to the final seconds as Zodiac CNAB (Barceloneta) showed composure under pressure to overcome Ferencvaros after a thrilling encounter that had everything: momentum swings, spectacular goals, and a penalty shoot-out finish.
The Spanish side made the perfect start, immediately taking advantage of their first man-up opportunity, with Alessandro Velotto opening the scoring.
Ferencvaros responded quickly, with Janos Fekete converting a six-metre opportunity to level the score.
Barceloneta regained the lead through Gonzalo Oscar Echenique, who finished a counter-attack.
But the Hungarian champions continued to fight back as Eduardo Di Somma restored parity once again.
The back-and-forth battle continued until Velotto struck for his second goal with just six seconds remaining in the opening quarter, giving Barceloneta a narrow 3-2 advantage.
The Spaniards increased their control in the second period, particularly through their efficiency with the extra player.
Unai Lara extended the lead early in the session before Szilard Jansik reduced the deficit with a powerful effort from the centre.
Barceloneta’s man-up execution remained decisive, as Velotto completed his hat-trick before Biel gave the Spanish side their biggest advantage of the match at 6-3.
That three-goal cushion carried into the third quarter.
Ferencvaros, however, refused to surrender. Dusan Mandic took advantage of a numerical advantage and a deflection to bring the Hungarians closer, while Csaba Vigvari continued the comeback.
Krisztian Manhercz then levelled the match at 6-6 with another successful extra-man situation, completely changing the direction of the game.
Biel restored Barceloneta’s lead by completing his hat-trick, but the final quarter delivered even more drama.
Manhercz equalised once again at 7-7, before Ferencvaros finally moved ahead for the first time in the match through Stylianos Argyropoulos on a man-up play. Barceloneta responded through Raul Tahulli, setting up a tense finish.
With just over two minutes remaining, Fekete fired Hungary ahead with a rising shot, putting Ferencváros within reach of the final. But Velotto once again proved decisive, scoring his fourth goal of the evening with only 34 seconds left to force penalties.
In the shootout, Unai Rubio Aguirre became the hero for Barceloneta, saving two five-metre attempts and sending the Spanish side through to the final after one of the most exciting matches of the competition.
Velotto’s four-goal performance and Barceloneta’s calmness under pressure ultimately made the difference in a contest that showcased the very best of European water polo.
ZODIAC: U. Aguirre, E. Munarriz, A. Velotto 4, M. Valls Ferrer, B. Sanahuja Carne, O. Echenique 1, J. Bustos, Z. Burian, R. Tahulli 1, M. Casabella, U. Biel Lara 3, A. Bustos, B. Delmas Tortorella, B. Gomila.
FTC TELEKOM: D. Szakonyi, D. Mandic 1, K. Manhercz 2, M. Vamos 1, E. di Somma 1, G. Fekete 1, S. Argyropoulos 1, D. Varga, V. Vigvari 1, S, Jansik 1, M. De Toro, S. Vogel, Z. Vismeg.
Referees: M. Zwart (Netherlands), F. Ohme (Germany).
PRO RECCO 19
OLYMPIACOS 13
(8-4, 5-3, 3-2, 3-4)
Pro Recco made a triumphant return to the Final Four stage after a one-year absence, marking their comeback with a commanding performance against Olympiacos.
The Italian giants produced a high-scoring display to secure another place in the final.
The Italians wasted no time asserting their authority, opening a two-goal advantage through national team players Andrea Fondelli and Nicolas Presciutti.
Former Neptunes left-hander Gergo Zalanki pulled one back for Olympiacos, but Pro Recco immediately responded, with Luke Pavillard converting their first man-up opportunity to restore the two-goal cushion.
Francesco Condemi added another for the Italian side before Ioannis Alafragkis reduced the deficit, keeping Olympiacos within reach in an entertaining opening period.
The fast-paced action continued as Pro Recco maintained their efficiency with the extra player.
Former Sliema player Giacomo Cannella converted his second man-up chance, while Zalanki continued to carry the Greek challenge with another goal.
However, the Italian internationals continued to make the difference, with Francesco Di Fulvio and Cannella extending the lead.
Olympiacos continued to fight through Zalanki’s scoring ability, but Pro Recco’s attacking power proved overwhelming.
Álvaro Ortega Granados scored late in the first quarter to complete a remarkable eight-goal period for the Italians, who ended the opening session 8-3 ahead.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with Pro Recco punishing Olympiacos on man-up situations.
Bruce Irving increased the advantage before Alafragkis attempted to revive the Greek side’s hopes. Irving responded again, while Nicolas Gkillas and Presciutti traded goals to keep the difference at five.
Mateo Iocchi Gratta then joined the scoring list, followed by an Olympiacos response from Alexandros Papanastasiou. Irving completed his hat-trick as Pro Recco entered the second half firmly in control at 13-7.
The Italian dominance continued after the break. Ortega Granados converted a penalty, while Olympiacos tried to stay alive through Dimitrios Nikolaidis and Konstantinos Genidounias.
But every Greek response was answered by another Pro Recco goal, with Irving adding his fourth to push the score further away.
Condemi scored his second of the evening before Papanastasiou and Nikolaidis reduced the gap slightly, but the outcome was already decided.
Rino Buric added his name to the scoresheet for Pro Recco, while Zalanki completed his fourth goal for Olympiacos.
Ortega Granados finished as the Italian side’s top scorer with four goals, while Ioannis Fountoulis added the final touch as Pro Recco sealed a convincing 19-13 victory.
The result confirms Pro Recco’s return among Europe’s elite and sets up another appearance in the final as they continue their pursuit of continental glory.
PRO RECCO: G. Nicosia, F. di Fulvio 1, A. Granados Ortega 4, G. Cannella 2, A. Fondelli 1, L. Durik, N. Presciutti 1, L. Pavillard 1, M. Iocchi Gratta 1, R. Buric1, F. Condemi 2, B. Irving 4, T. Negri, F. Cassia.
OLYMPIACOS: E. Zerdevas, D. Angyal, N. Gkillas 1, K, Genidounias, I. Fountoulis 1, K. Gouvis, G. Zalanki 4, D. Dimou, I. Alafragkis 2, K. Kakaris, D. Nikolaidis 2, A. Papanastasiou 2, P. Tzortzatos, E. Pouros.
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