Olympiacos edged Spain’s CNA Barceloneta 6-4 to advance to the final of the LEN Champions League in men’s water polo.
With the score being level at 1-1 after the first period, it was clear that this would be a tough task for Olympiacos. The Erythrolefki responded well in the second period, taking a 3-1 lead. However, the Spaniards would tie it up before halftime, with the score being 3-3 after the second period of play.
In the third period, both teams would score one goal. With the score at 4-4, this meant that whoever played better in the fourth period would come out victorious. Ioannis Fountoulis would score midway through the final period of play to give Olympiacos a 5-4 edge over Barceloneta. Paulo Obradovic would score in the dying seconds to put Olympiacos up 6-4, and send them into the final of the Champions League for the fourth time in club history.
Andro Buslje was the top scorer for Olympiacos with two goals. Konstantinos Genidounias, Alexandros Gounas, Ioannis Fountoulis, and Paulo Obradovic each netted one goal. Olympiacos now advance to Saturday’s final in Genoa, Italy, where they will take on Italy’s Pro Recco. Pro Recco edged Croatia’s Jug Dubrovnik 9-8 in the semifinals.
Olympiacos are seeking their second Champions League title, as their only other title came back in 2002 despite also reaching the final in 2001 and again in 2016. On the other hand, Pro Recco have won the title eight times, the most of any club in Champions League history, with the last one coming back in 2015.
Olympiacos will matchup against Italy's Pro Recco in Saturday's final after the Italians defeated Dubrovnik 9-8 in the other semi-final on Friday.
by Andrew Stamas
Image Source: sportfm.gr
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