European Club Results (Women)
LEN Women's Champions League, Championship Final
Sabadell 9 - 8 Mataro
Team USA attacker Maggie Steffens and Sabadell won the Women's Champions League title with a 9-8 victory over Mataro! The championship is Sabadell's sixth Champions League crown in nine appearances in the Final over the last thirteen years.
While Mataro probably had the better play early, there is no doubt that Sabadell should have been ahead after eight minutes. Mataro took the lead with a cross-cage effort, however, Sabadell got on the scoreboard with a trademark rocket from Maggie Steffens from outside. Both sides had chances to take the lead later in the quarter, but neither one could put another score on the board. As the second quarter transpired, it was the hosts who found three decisive scores back-to-back-to-back that put them in a brilliant position. Mataro afforded Sabadell too much time and space to pick their spots. At the halftime break, Sabadell held a three score lead, 5-2.
Early in the third, Sabadell sent a beautiful lob to the back post, to take the lead to six. Sabadell was in complete control after another quick attack, sinking Mataro to a four-goal deficit once again. Into the final frame, it was all or nothing for Mataro, who weren't quite done yet. Courtesy of some brilliant work on the left-wing, Mataro was back within a single score (8-7). For the first time in the contest, the comeback real. Sabadell dampened the mood for Mataro with a near-post shot before Mataro tucked the ball into the net to bring the duel back to a one-goal game. Sensing the game was not as comfortable as it should have been, Sabadell slowed the pace down and made two crucial saves in the last minute of the game to guarantee the win.
LEN Women's Champions League, Final Four
Sabadell 13 - 12 Ekipe Orizzonte
This semi-final got off to a thrilling start, with both teams evenly matched. The first goal of the match was scored by Team USA captain Maggie Steffens, who cleverly peeled off her marker to tap in an unmarked shot at the far post for Sabadell. But Ekipe responded quickly, scoring an extra-player goal to level the score at 1-1. The Italian side then took the lead through a thunderous shot from the top of the perimeter (2-1), only for Sabadell to equalize with a penalty shot. In the second quarter, Maggie Steffens showcased her skill and precision with a sublime backhand shot from the center for Sabadell. Sabadell managed to level the score just before halftime, 6-6.
The second half began with a bang as Sabadell scored on a perfectly executed lob. Ekipe quickly responded with two rockets into the Sabadell net from either side (8-7). The match then turned into a goal-scoring frenzy, with both teams struggling to keep their opponents at bay. Despite Sabadell's efforts to take control of the game, Ekipe continued to find the back of the net and frustrate the home team's power plays. As the quarter drew to a close, Ekipe held a narrow lead (11-10). In the final frame, the momentum swung back in Sabadell's favor. A precise strike on the right and a tap in gave Sabadell the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. With the clock ticking down, Ekipe knew they needed to find an equalizer, but a breakaway goal was disallowed due to an off-the-ball incident spotted by the near-side referee. The Italians lost their cool in front of goal and squandered a couple of opportunities with a numerical advantage. Sabadell seized the moment and extended their lead to two goals. With just 45 seconds left on the clock, Ekipe scored its twelfth but it proved to be too little, too late.
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European Club Results (Men)
Greek Domestic League, Day 22
Vouliagmeni 8 - 15 Olympiacos
Vouliagmeni, Team USA center Matt Farmer, and defender Dylan Woodhead lost to Olympiacos to end the Greek regular season. A minute and a half before the first break, the score was 2-2. Olympiacos netted two goals in the last 91 seconds of the first quarter, and added two by the middle of the second to jump ahead, 6-2. Vouliagmeni broke that series with an action goal, however, Olympiacos produced a new 4-0 run. Early in the fourth, the hosts went up 10-3 and there was no way back for Vouliagmeni. Vouliagmeni finishes the season in second place and will have a bye in the playoffs until the quarterfinals.
Peristeri 13 - 10 Panathinaikos
Team USA goalkeeper Drew Holland and Peristeri beat Panathinaikos, 13-10. Peristeri caught up with PAOK in points and has a better score in head-to-head encounters, so they climbed to 5th place. In the first round of the playoffs, Peristeri will face Panionios.
Italian Domestic League, Day 22
Pro Recco 12 - 5 Posillipo
Team USA center Ben Hallock and Pro Recco defeated Team USA attackers Tyler Abramson, Ben Stevenson, and Posillipo in Serie A1. Pro Recco was too strong for Posillipo. Midway through the second quarter, the European champion built a 6-0 lead. In the remaining time, Recco increased the margin to seven. Hallock scored one for Pro Recco while Stevenson netted two and Abramson added one for Posillipo.
Telimar 9 - 8 Trieste
Team USA attackers Max Irving and Johnny Hooper picked up a key win for fourth-place Telimar over fifth-place Trieste. The win extends Telimar's lead to seven points over Trieste in a league where the top four teams will play for first place.
At halftime, the score was 5-5. The close game continued in the third quarter and the score was tied 7-7 before the fourth period. By the middle of the final frame, Telimar built a 2-goal lead (9-7). Trieste immediately halved the deficit and had the last attack for the chance to earn a point. The hosts had a 6-on-5 but failed to convert it and Telimar kept all three points. Irving scored twice and Hooper once for Telimar in victory.
Italian Domestic League, Day 22
Pro Recco 17 - 2 Bogliasco
Pro Recco dominated Bogliasco with a final score of 17-2. Pro Recco's victory was largely thanks to their strong performance in the first half, where they managed to score 11 goals for an 11-1 lead. Hallock scored one for Recco on the day.
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Telimar 17 - 8 Salerno
Telimar had a strong start in the first period, taking a 5-1 lead over Salerno. In the second quarter, the hosts continued to dominate and increased their lead to 10-3 by the end of the first half. In the third period, each team scored three goals, leaving the score at 13-6 in favor of Telimar. In the final frame, Telimar scored four goals, securing a final score of 17-8 in their favor. Irving scored four times while Hooper scored three in the contest.
Posillipo 13 - 12 Roma
In a thrilling game between Posillipo and Roma, the hosts emerged victorious with a narrow 13-12 win. The match got off to a great start for Roma, who scored two quick goals to take an early lead. However, Posillipo fought back and managed to score two goals of their own before the end of the first period. In the second quarter, Posillipo continued their momentum and made a series of five goals to take a commanding 7-4 lead by halftime. The hosts continued to dominate in the third period, but Roma wasn't going to give up. They scored four goals in a row to tie the game at 10-10 with just five minutes to play. Ben Stevenson scored for Posillipo to take a new lead, but Roma replied to tie the game again at 11-11. With just 53 seconds left on the clock, Posillipo scored the winning goal, securing a hard-fought victory. Tyler Abramson recorded a hat trick as Stevenson scored two.
French Domestic League, Day 17
Marseille 15 - 11 Tourcoing
Team USA attacker Hannes Daube and Marseille defeated Tourcoing to finish the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. Everything was open until the final quarter. Marseille went to the first break with a 4-3 lead, however, Tourcoing scored three goals in the first three minutes of the second to earn a 6-4 lead. Marseille netted four goals in a row and turned around a two goal deficit into a two goal lead. Marseille earned a solid 13-10 advantage midway through the fourth quarter. Tourcoing scored an action goal in the 30th minute, but Marseille scored the last two goals of the game. Daube netted three on the day for Marseille.
Noisy-le-Sec BYE
Team USA attacker Alex Bowen and Noisy-le-Sec had a bye in this round, but still cemented second place in the league behind Marseille.
Aix-en-Provence 13 - 16 Sete
Team USA attacker Thomas Dunstan and Aix-en-Provence lost to Sete, 16-13. After a 3-3 first period, Sete dictated the pace in the second and third quarters. Sete held a 12-7 lead and many believed the contest was over. However, Aix scored four goals in a row and reduced the gap to one (11-12) in the 27th minute. Shortly after, Sete doubled its advantage (13:11), but Aix erased the deficit quickly and equalized with 3:03 remaining. Sete netted three in the last three minutes and recorded a 16-13 win. Dunstan scored one for Aix-en-Provence in the loss.
French Domestic League, Day 18
Marseille BYE
Noisy-le-Sec 17 - 5 Sete
Sete welcomed Noisy-le-Sec and didn't surprise the Parisians. The first quarter belonged to Noisy (3-0). Midway through the second quarter, Sete came within one, however, Noisy didn't let them go further. The Parisians went on a 7-0 run and jumped ahead 9-2. Noisy increased the margin to twelve by the end. Bowen notched two goals in the game for Noisy-le-Sec.
Aix-en-Provence 15 - 9 Nice
Aix-en-Provence secured sixth place before the clash with Nice. Still, Aix's players didn't let themselves finish the season with a loss. Aix led for most of the match, but Nice kept with the visitors until 4-5. After that, Aix scored six unanswered goals in 11 minutes, went up 11-4, and the contest was over. Dunstan found the back of the net once for Aix.
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Spanish Domestic League, Day 19
Barcelona 13 - 6 Terrassa
Team USA attackers Marko Vavic and Luca Cupido beat Terrassa, 13-6. Barcelona dictated the pace from the beginning of the derby. In the 6th minute, the hosts had a three goal lead. By the middle break, the home side stretched the margin to five (8-3). Barcelona added two goals (one with an extra player and the other from a penalty) early in the third quarter. In the remaining time, the teams exchanged goals and Barcelona maintained a healthy margin. Vavic scored twice and Cupido once for Barcelona in the win.
Mataro 6 - 15 Barceloneta
Team USA goalkeeper Jack Turner and Mataro were defeated by Barceloneta, 15-6. The title-holder's excellent start set the stage for the rest of the game. Barceloneta knocked down Mataro with an opening 8-1 series and controlled the game on its way to a big victory.
Mediterrani 6 - 7 Sant AndreuÂ
Team USA defender Mason McQuet and Mediterrani came up just short to Sant Andreu, 7-6. Mediterrani entered the final period leading 5-3. Sant Andreu opened the final frame with two goals and leveled at 5-5. The end of the game belonged to the hosts. Sant Andreu leveled and then scored a winner by converting a man-up two seconds before the buzzer.
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Hungarian Domestic League, Day 20
Kaposvary 6 - 12 Szolnok
Team USA utility man Kacper Langiewicz and Kaposvary fell to Szolnok, 12-6.
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Hungarian Domestic League, Day 21
Kaposvary 10 - 14 OSC Budapest
OSC Budapest earned an away win over Kaposvary. OSC dominated in the first two and a half quarters and led 10-3 in the middle of the third period. After that, Kaposvary couldn't come back. Langiewicz notched one goal for Kaposvary on the day.
Upcoming Schedule
LEN Champions League, Main Round
Group B (April 4)
Marseille at Spandau 04 Berlin at 1:30pm et/10:30am pt
Group A (April 5)
Pro Recco at Vouliagmeni at 12pm et/9am 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
Information via total-waterpolo.com
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