European Club Results (Women)
Copa de la Reina, Quarterfinal
Sabadell 25 - 5 Tenerife
The reigning champions of Spain had their way with Tenerife, securing a 25-5 victory. Sabadell jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead, which was extended to a 9-1 advantage after the first quarter. From there, it was completely one-sided. Sabadell continued pouring in goals, while their defense kept them safe from a comeback. A final quarter shutout from Sabadell put this game to rest. Team USA attacker Maggie Steffens scored once in the onslaught for Sabadell.
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Copa de la Reina, Semifinal
Sabadell 16 - 9 Mediterrani
The reigning Spanish champions showed no mercy in their match against Mediterrani, sending them into their sixteenth consecutive Copa de la Reina final. Mediterrani had no answer for Sabadell's offensive prowess, as they found themselves trailing by seven goals at the halftime break. With a comfortable seven-goal lead at halftime, Sabadell showed no signs of slowing down. Mediterrani managed to show some pride in the final quarter with four goals, but it was too little, too late, as Sabadell emerged victorious. Team USA captain Maggie Steffens notched a pair of goals in the win.
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Copa de la Reina, Final
Sabadell 8 - 6 Mataro
Sabadell have defeated Mataro 8-6 in a thrilling Copa de la Reina final.
Despite Sabadell's dominance, they were guilty of squandering a few chances, but Mataro's lack of defense provided them with the opportunity to apply the pressure and take control of the game. Sabadell found the back of the net twice from the right-side. There was a shift in momentum during the second quarter. Mataro improved on offense and found three consecutive scores. The stakes felt much higher in the third and the game swung in Sabadell's favor, as it was now Mataro's turn to feel the pressure. Sabadell found the back of the net with four consecutive scores, putting Mataro on their back foot. Despite having time to mount a comeback, Mataro struggled to reignite their attack in the face of a formidable defense from Sabadell. Mataro managed to pull themselves back within a score, however, with only forty seconds left on the clock, Sabrina Van der Sloot produced in the biggest moment. Her beautiful lob was perfectly executed to catch Mataro off guard and secure Sabadell's victory.
The victory is Sabadell's 18th Copa de la Reina title.
European Club Results (Men)
LEN Champions League, Day 8
Group A
Pro Recco 20 - 5 Dinamo Tbilisi
Pro Recco recorded a convincing win despite the fact that it started quite slowly. Recco took an opening 2-0 lead. Dinamo Tbilisi cut the deficit to one goal twice, but after that the Italians scored seven consecutive goals and went up 10-2. By the end, the margin increased to 15. All of Pro Recco's field players got on the scoresheet, including one from Team USA center Ben Hallock.
Vouliagmeni 10 - 9 Waspo 98 Hannover
Vouliagmeni started quite well. They led 2-0 and 4-2 early. Still, the Germans produced a big comeback, scoring four goals in a row. Hannover opened the second quarter with three straight goals and it led 6-4 in the middle of the period. After the halftime break, Vouliagmeni tightened its defense and shut out Hannover's shooters. The Greeks caught up with the Germans 29 seconds before the last break, 9-9. Neither of the teams produced good attacks in the final eight minutes. The only one who found the net in the fourth quarter was Nikolaos Papasifakis. 3:57 before the end, Vouliagmeni failed to convert a man-up, but after the save, the ball returned to the Greeks and they scored for 10-9. After that, Hannover missed its chances to equalize. Vouliagmeni focused on defense and emerged as winners.
LEN Champions League, Day 8
Group B
Marseille 13 - 15 Brescia
Brescia earned a quick 2-0 lead just to see the French respond with a 4-0 run. Brescia leveled at 4-4 shortly after. Two minutes before the end of the first half, Marseille went in front, 6-5. Brescia kept Marseille scoreless between the 14th and 20th minute. In that interval, the Italians produced a 4-0 run which was vital for their victory. Marseille didn't give up, but it couldn't catch up with Brescia. Late in the third quarter, the French squad cut the deficit to one goal, however, Brescia netted two nearly identical power play goals in the last 54 seconds of the quarter and Brescia had a 12-9 advantage before the final frame. Marseille fought hard until the end, but Brescia controlled the game. The French team scored the last two goals of the match, but it was too late. Marseille remains at the bottom of Group B with just four points.
Hungarian Domestic League, Day 15
Kaposvary 6 - 8 UVSE
UVSE defeated Kaposvary 8-6 to move up to 9th place. UVSE had a 3-goal lead in the second quarter and again in the middle of the fourth period, but Kaposvary didn't surrender. The visitors came very close with 56 seconds to go, but the hosts were awarded a penalty shot, which they converted successfully, and the game was over.
Greek Domestic League, Day 18
Vouliagmeni 10 - 10 Olympiacos
Olympiacos opened the scoring in the third minute before Vouliagmeni replied with three goals in less than three minutes and took a 3-1 lead. Olympiacos leveled before the first break. The second quarter started in the same way as the first. Olympiacos scored the first three goals and went in front for the final time. After the visitors' 3-0 run, Vouliagmeni regained the lead. The visitors equalized twice, but they had no response after Vouliagmeni netted for 7-6 in the 15th minute. After 13 goals in the first half, both teams tightened their defenses. There were no goals until late in the third quarter, when Vouliagmeni converted a man-up to double its advantage. After just 26 seconds of play in the fourth quarter, Olympiacos tied the score at 8-8. In the remaining time, Vouliagmeni went in front twice, but Olympiacos leveled on both occasions to set the final score. Team USA center Matt Farmer scored one goal for Vouliagmeni in the hard-fought draw.
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Peristeri 10 - 9 Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos led 4-0 in the 2nd quarter and 7-3 at the beginning of the second half, but Peristeri produced a big comeback to win three points. Deep into the fourth period, Peristeri leveled for the first time and didn't stop there. With 1:30 to go, Peristeri scored the game-winner.
Italian Domestic League, Day 18
Pro Recco 15 - 2 Roma
Team USA captain Ben Hallock netted two scores for Pro Recco in their victory.
Telimar 6 - 11 Brescia
After a goalless first quarter, Brescia built a 4-2 lead in the second period. Telimar couldn't catch Brescia in the second half. The Sicilians halved the distance at the beginning of the second half, but couldn't narrow the gap. Brescia produced a 6-0 run for a huge lead and didn't look back. Team USA attackers Johnny Hooper and Max Irving both scored twice for Telimar in the loss.
Posillipo 6 - 4 Quinto
Each side scored two goals in the first quarter. Posillipo managed to control the hosts' attack, while it netted three goals and entered the second half leading 5-3. Midway through the third period, Savona scored from a 6-on-5 and cut the deficit to one. But Posillipo forced a penalty shot in its next possession and Team USA attacker Ben Stevenson sent the ball into the net to regain a 2-goal lead. It turned out that it was the last goal in the match. Posillipo earned three points and climbed from 12th to 10th place. Team USA attacker Tyler Abramson netted two goals for Posillipo as well in the contest.
Spanish Domestic League, Day 15
Mataro 8 - 4 Tenerife
Mataro secured a win over Tenerife with a 4-1 first quarter. Tenerife could never recover from the bad start. The visitors cut the deficit to two goals three times, but Mataro regained a 3-goal advantage on each occasion. Tenerife scored its fourth goal in the 20th minute. In the remaining time, the visitors couldn't find the net, while the hosts scored two goals for the victory.
Barcelona 13 - 7 Sant Andreu
Barcelona dominated in the match against Sant Andreu. An opening 4-0 run put Barcelona on the right track. Early in the third period, the visitors led 10-3 and the contest was over. Team USA attacker Luca Cupido put one home for Barcelona.
Mediterrani 13 - 7 Catalunya
Mediterrani dictated the pace from the beginning. It led 3-0, 7-2, 11-4 and left no chance to Catalunya. Team USA defender Mason McQuet scored once for Mediterrani in the win.
French Domestic League, Day 13
Noisy-le-Sec 15 - 14 Montpellier
Noisy-le-Sec emerged as a winner from a thrilling encounter, but only after a penalty shootout. Montpellier was in front for most of the game, while Noisy chased the rival. After less than two minutes of play, Montpellier had a 2-0 advantage. Noisy leveled the score three times, but the home side regained the lead with a goal six seconds before the first break. After 11 goals in the first quarter, only two were scored in the second period. Montpellier doubled its advantage but Noisy trailed 6-7 before the second half.
Midway through the third period, the Parisians equalized, but Montpellier built a 3-goal lead deep into the third period and again in the 26th minute (12-9). The home team's fans believed that Montpellier would take revenge for the defeat in Paris, but Noisy scored three unanswered goals in the last six minutes and leveled the score at 12-12. Noisy had a man-up and a chance to score a winner in its last possession, but it failed, and the match entered the shootout. The visitors celebrated a 15:14 victory after a penalty thriller. Team USA attacker Alex Bowen scored twice for Noisy in the win.
Marseille 12 - 13 Strasbourg
Strasbourg dictated the pace throughout the match. They earned a 2-goal lead in the first quarter and stretched the margin to three late in the second quarter (5-2). Strasbourg maintained a 3-goal difference for a while, but after Strasbourg's seventh goal, the visitors scored three in a row. Marseille caught up with Strasbourg for the first time in the match. In the remaining time, the teams traded goals. Strasbourg took the lead twice, but Marseille leveled both times. Strasbourg was just ten seconds from a win in regular time. It led 9-8, but Marseille scored an equalizer with 10 seconds to go to prolong the match. The hosts were calmer and had stronger nerves in the penalty shootout and recorded a 13-12 victory, while a consolation point went to Marseille. Team USA attacker Hannes Daube recorded two scores for Marseille in the contest.
Aix-en-Provence 10 - 20 Tourcoing
Tourcoing recorded a big win, defeating Aix-en-Provence by ten goals. Tourcoing led throughout the match. The visitors earned a 2-0 lead and maintained the difference until the first break (3-1). Both defenses weakened in the second period, which produced 12 goals. Aix cut the deficit to one early in this quarter, but Tourcoing built a 4-goal advantage and maintained it until the end of the first half (10-6). Tourcoing ruled the field in the third quarter, scoring six unanswered goals and stretching the margin to ten. In the final frame, the teams exchanged goals and Tourcoing kept a 10-goal distance.
Upcoming Schedule
LEN Champions League, Main Round
Group B (February 28)
Marseille vs. Sabadell at 2pm et/11am pt
Group A (March 1)
Vouliagmeni vs. Olympiacos at 12pm et/9am pt
Pro Recco vs. Barceloneta at 3pm et/12pm pt
Calendar
Day 1:Â November 15/16, 2022
Day 2:Â November 29/30, 2022
Day 3:Â December 13/14, 2022
Day 4:Â December 20/21, 2022
Day 5:Â January 10/11, 2023
Day 6:Â January 24/25, 2023
Day 7:Â February 7/8, 2023
Day 8:Â February 17/18, 2023
Day 9:Â February 28/March 1, 2023
Day 10:Â March 21/22, 2023
Day 11:Â April 4/5, 2023
Day 12:Â April 25/26, 2023
Day 13:Â May 12/13, 2023
Day 14:Â May 23/24, 2023
Women's Champions League Quarterfinals, 2nd Leg (February 25)
Sabadell vs. SIS Roma
Information via total-waterpolo.com
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