Thrilling Semis In Sight As LEN Reveals Euro Cup & Challenger Cup Draws

Courtesy: LEN

The draws for the semis, conducted on Thursday, ‘prevented’ the all-Italian final in the Euro Cup, while an all-Spanish clash for the trophy is very much in the cards in the Challenger Cup.

The two Italian sides reaching the semis were paired against each other. This is going to be the second ‘home test’ for Savona as they ousted Ortigia in the eight-finals – now they clash with Trieste. Three-time cup winner Savona is on a mission as they can tie Brescia’s all-time record of 4 victories in this competition – however, they need two more steps and the first is anything but easy.

In the other semi, Panionios of Greece and Vasas of Hungary will face off. Both sides went through some thrilling moments in the previous rounds, almost blowing away a five-goal advantage after the first leg (Vasas prevailed in the eight-finals against Crvena Zvezda, while Panionios survived the penalty shootout in Oradea on Wednesday). Vasas could look back an amazing history with European trophies but are yet to play a final in this event – while Panionios is already living a dream, this is the team’s big chance to make history.

In the Challenger Cup the favourite Spanish clubs avoided each other in the semis and they are very much the favourites to turn the final into an in-house affair. Tenerife are still waiting for their rival as the QF match of Galatasaray and Apollon was postponed to 18 February. Apollon won by four in the first leg so the Turkish need a minor miracle, however, if they could create one, the semis would feature two Spanish v Turkish duels.

Euro Cup, Semi-finals

• Panionios GSS (GRE) v A Hid-Vasas-Plaket (HUN)
• Trieste Pallanuoto (ITA) v AN Savona (ITA)

Playing dates: 1 and 22 March

Challenger Cup, Semi-finals

• Tenerife Echeyde (ESP) v Galatasaray (TUR)/Apollon (GRE)
• CN Terrassa (ESP) v Enka Istanbul (TUR)

Playing dates: 1 and 22 March