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The LEN Champions League delivered another exciting round of water polo action, featuring intense defensive battles, dramatic comebacks, and standout individual performances. Two key clashes in the quarterfinal stage of Group A provided fans with top-tier entertainment, as Novi Beograd stunned Olympiacos in Piraeus, while Marseille edged past Jadran Split in a thrilling encounter.
Olympiacos (GRE) 5–8 Novi Beograd (SRB)
Novi Beograd delivered a defensive clinic against Olympiacos, securing a crucial 8–5 away victory in Piraeus. The Serbian side’s young goalkeeper, Milan Glusac, was the hero of the night, frustrating Olympiacos’ attackers throughout the match.
The first quarter saw a rare scoreless period as both teams showcased impressive defensive discipline. It wasn’t until the 10th minute that Miroslav Perković broke the deadlock, putting Novi Beograd ahead. Nikola Lukić followed with a lob shot to give the visitors a 2–0 lead before halftime. Olympiacos finally got on the scoreboard just before the break, but the momentum remained with Novi Beograd.
In the second half, the Serbian side pulled away, extending their lead to 5–2 in the third quarter. Olympiacos attempted to rally, with Konstantinos Genidounias netting twice, but a penalty conversion from Vasilije Martinović and a crucial goal by Angelos Vlachopoulos sealed the victory for Novi Beograd.
CN Marseille (FRA) 11–9 Jadran Split (CRO)
Marseille claimed a hard-fought 11–9 victory over Jadran Split in a match that saw both teams trading blows until the very end. Despite playing with a reduced squad due to injuries and illness, Jadran pushed the hosts to their limits before Marseille’s late surge secured the win.
The French side started strong, taking a 2–0 lead in the opening minutes, but Jadran responded resiliently. The Croatian side briefly led 5–4 in the second quarter, fueled by a penalty shot from Loren Fatović. Marseille regained control but saw Jadran equalize just before halftime, making it 6–6 at the break.
The battle remained even through the third quarter, with Jadran leading twice before Marseille leveled the score at 8–8. In the final period, Jadran’s goalkeeper Marko Bijač made a stunning penalty save, and Jerko Marinić Kragić put Jadran ahead 9–8 with a long-range strike.
However, Marseille’s experience came through in the closing minutes, as they launched a decisive 3–0 run. Andrija Prlainović, Thomas Vernoux, and Dániel Angyal each found the back of the net, securing an 11–9 victory for the home side.
