Jadran and Marseille gain advantage

Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE) and Marseille (FRA) used the home advantage to win the first leg of the respective semi-finals. The Montenegrins narrowly beat OSC (HUN) while the French downed Ortigia (ITA) by three goals.

Euro Cup, semi-finals, 1st leg

Jadran Herceg Novi (MNE) v A Hid-OSC Budapest 11-10

CN Marseille (FRA) v CC Ortigia (ITA) 7-4

Jadran played a sparkling match against OSC which offered the very best of attacking water polo and plenty of twists and turns. The Hungarians began the match overwhelmingly and took a 0-3 lead but Jadran ‘arrived’ to the match in the second period and netted six goals to level the score by half-time at 6-6. After 6-7 the Montenegrins netted three in a row and were 11-9 up late in the fourth but OSC managed to pull one back with 25 seconds remaining.

On the contrary, the defences decided the outcome in Marseille. Though the Italians jumped to a 0-2 lead and held on for 2-3 in the first period, they could score only one more goal in the remaining three quarters. The French took control after a while and managed to build a three-goal gap which looks promising before the return match in one month.

For detailed statistics, play-by-play description please visit www.len.eu

23 January 2019