European Club Results (Men)
LEN Champions League, Final Eight
Quarterfinals
Vouliagmeni 11 - 10 Brescia
Vouliagmeni started strong and created a crucial advantage early. They let Brescia equalize just once and at the first break, the Greeks led 4-3. After three minutes of play in the second, Team USA center Matt Farmer stretched the margin to three (6-3), and Vouliagmeni maintained the difference until 8-5. Brescia closed the first half with an action goal for 6-8. Then, there was a 20-minute break, forced by heavy rain and thunderstorm around the pool in Belgrade.
Shortly after the first whistle in the second half, Brescia narrowed the distance to one. Vouliagmeni continued controlling the game though as they imposed their rhythm and played excellently in defense. Brescia was accessed a penalty due to a personal foul. However, the referees delayed the penalty shot and ultimately excluded Brescia's goalkeeper too. So, Vouliagmeni had an easier task on the attempt, because a field player was between Brescia's posts for that penalty, and they doubled their advantage to 9-7. A minute after, the Greeks scored for 10-7. In the middle of the fourth period, Vouliagmeni led 11-8. Brescia desperately tried to come back and was very close to equalizing. The Italians converted a man-up for 10-11. There was still 3:24 left on the clock, but Vouliagmeni held back all of Brescia's comeback attempts. In the final two minutes, the Greeks survived Brescia's double man-up and saved a big win in a thrilling finish. Brescia had the ball in the last eight seconds but could not equalize and the Greeks started celebrating a great success.
Team USA defender Dylan Woodhead, Vouliagmeni, Postgame:
"We didn't come here to be only participants; we wanted to win as many games as we could. In the past two weeks, we were completely focused on this match and arrived at the Final Eight very well-prepared. I think we did a very good job today. Our goalie's performance was very important for our win. But the whole defense was up to the task. We didn't let Brescia score easy goals from transitions."
Pro Recco 8 - 4 Ferencvaros
Ferencvaros opened the scoring in this contest after less than a minute of play, but Pro Recco stormed back immediately with three straight goals by the middle of the quarter, including one from Team USA captain Ben Hallock, for a 3-1 lead. The reigning champion entered the second period leading 3-2. The Italians' defense worked perfectly in the second quarter which allowed them a nice 3-goal lead at halftime.
By the middle of the third quarter, the Hungarians cut the deficit to one with two power play goals. Pro Recco's left hander Gergo Zalanki, who formally played for Ferencvaros, took the match into his own hands. By the end of the quarter he found the net twice, and Recco rebuilt a 3-goal lead (7-4). In the middle of the fourth quarter Pro Recco netted a nice lob for 8-4 and sank Ferencvaros' last hope.
Semifinals
Pro Recco 12 - 8 Vouliagmeni
Despite the underdog status, Vouliagmeni fought bravely from the first whistle. After three minutes, the Greeks led 2-0. Pro Recco answered with two goals to level the score, the second from Ben Hallock on a power play advantage. Vouliagmeni tacked on one more and at the first break, they were up 3-2. In the 9th minute, Vouliagmeni rebuilt a 2-goal advantage. Vouliagmeni was in control of the result. Recco halved the distance from a man-up, but Dylan Woodhead responded immediately with a pretty redirect into the back of the net. Vouliagmeni kept a 2-goal advantage for a while but with two action goals in the last two minutes, Pro Recco caught up with the Greeks.
In the second half, the game turned into something that was expected. The defending champion dominated; it scored five unanswered goals in the third period. Ben Hallock scored a center shot goal for his second of the contest to push the lead to 9-5. Vouliagmeni didn't surrender, but after Recco's 8-0 series, the contest was all but over. Vouliagmeni reduced the gap to four late but Pro Recco held on to advance to the Final.
Bronze Medal Match
Vouliagmeni 13 - 14 Barceloneta
Barceloneta commenced the match with a strong offensive presence, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead. However, Vouliagmeni showcased their resilience by successfully narrowing the gap to 3-2 by the end of the first period. The second quarter witnessed an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Panagiotis Tzortzatos, who played a crucial role in keeping Vouliagmeni in the game. As the teams reached halftime, both Barceloneta and Vouliagmeni managed to score, resulting in a 4-4 deadlock at the break.
The third period saw Barceloneta assert their dominance as the reigning Spanish champions, swiftly gaining a 6-4 advantage. However, Vouliagmeni managed to close the gap to 6-5. Barceloneta then extended its lead to 7-5 with a precise goal. The Greeks responded, bringing themselves within one at 7-6 by the end of the third period. Vouliagmeni scored twice at the start of the last period, securing its first lead of the match at 7-8. Barceloneta swiftly equalized the score at 8-8 in the 29th minute. The teams exchanged goals in the following minute, resulting in a tense 9-9 draw at the end of regulation.
In the third series of penalty shootouts, Vouliagmeni missed a crucial penalty, allowing Barceloneta a significant advantage. Vouliagmeni answered with a remarkable save, however, Nicholas Porter of Barceloneta responded with an exceptional save in the sixth series, securing the bronze medal for his team.
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Gold Medal Match
Pro Recco 14 - 11 Novi Beograd
The Champions League final produced a thrilling encounter between Pro Recco and Novi Beograd. Pro Recco started the match strongly, taking an early 2-0 lead. Novi Beograd fought back with a goal, bringing the score to 1-2. However, Pro Recco extended its lead with another pair of goals, finishing the first period with a commanding 4-1 advantage. The second quarter saw both sides exchange goals. Novi Beograd scored from a penalty shot to narrow the deficit to 3-5. Despite playing a man down due to a red card, Pro Recco displayed impressive offensive prowess and pushed ahead 7-3 by halftime.
In the third period, Novi Beograd reduced the deficit to two (7-9) before Pro Recco responded strongly with two consecutive goals, reestablishing a four-goal advantage (7-11). The teams exchanged goals at the end of the third period and Pro Recco led 13-9. The final frame began with a goal from Ben Hallock, extending Pro Recco's lead to 14-9. Novi Beograd reduced the deficit to 14-11 before running out of time. Pro Recco won its eleventh Champions League crown and third in a row!
Upcoming Schedule
U.S. Senior National Team Exhibitions
Women's National Team
June 9 vs. Greece at 10pm et/7pm pt at Las Positas College on YouTube.com/USAWP
June 12 vs. Greece at 9pm et/6pm pt at Sacred Heart Prep on YouTube.com/USAWP
June 15 vs. Greece at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt at Stanford University on Bally Sports | TICKETS
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Men's National Team
June 14 vs. China at 10pm et/7pm pt at JSerra High School | TICKETS
July 8 vs. Croatia at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt at Mt. San Antonio College on Bally Sports
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Information via total-waterpolo.com
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