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The most recent Champions League second-stage (quarterfinal group) matches featured a flurry of goals and some drama. The group leaders and defending champions showcased their strength with clear-cut wins, while one established powerhouse faltered in an upset.
Novi Beograd’s potent offense showcased itself before the home fans. Novi Beograd (SRB), maintained its flawless Champions League record with a decisive home victory against Jadran Split (CRO) by a score of 17–8. Novi Beograd jumped to an early 4:1 advantage and maintained control from there, demonstrating a suffocating defense and well-rounded offense. Serbians surged ahead with a 5:1 second-quarter explosion that brought the score to 9:4 by halftime, with veteran Miloš Ćuk topping the scoring charts with four goals. Goalkeeper Milan Glušac excelled, making several clutch saves, as his defense held Jadran scoreless in the final period. In the fourth quarter, Novi Beograd “left no chance to Jadran,” sailing to a victory by nine goals. This outcome signifies Novi Beograd’s ninth consecutive Champions League victory this season and cements their position at the top of Group A with a perfect 9 points. On the other hand, Jadran Split has not yet won a match and stands at 0–3, which is a significant disadvantage. This situation results in “really slim chances” for the Croatian team to advance.
Marseille (FRA) 12–7 Olympiacos (GRE): In the round’s most unexpected outcome, Marseille made a bold statement by thoroughly defeating the Greek powerhouse Olympiacos on their home ground. The French team, supported by a boisterous crowd, took a 7:5 lead at halftime and continued to increase the margin with a disciplined defense. Marseille, which “outperformed Olympiacos in every aspect of the game”, had Ugo Crousillat, Krisztián Ángyal, and Thomas Vernoux each score 3 goals. The defense of Marseille was particularly remarkable, as it restricted Olympiacos to only a single goal in the last 15 minutes and neutralized the Greek team’s top scorers. Olympiacos, a team that traditionally competes in the Final Four, had difficulty making headway and found themselves behind 7:10 after three quarters, at which point Marseille closed off any chances. With this convincing victory, Marseille elevates to 6 points (2–1 record), taking sole possession of second place in Group A. The defeat is a wake-up call for Olympiacos, who now find themselves at 1–2; the Greeks have shifted from being favored to contending against the odds to make it to the semifinals. With three rounds to go, the dynamics of Group A have changed: Novi Beograd holds a firm grip at the top, Marseille is gaining traction for the second qualifying spot, and Olympiacos needs to regroup swiftly to remain in contention. Jadran, with 0 points, is currently at the bottom and will require nothing less than a miraculous performance in the second half to compete for a Final Four spot.
