All four finalists maintained their respective unbeaten runs, what’s more, the favourites, Sabadell, Mataro and Olympiacos all produced big wins – the Greeks indeed set a new single game scoring record with 21 goals.
Group A
Ekipe Orrizonte (ITA) 15-9 CN Terrassa (ESP)
CN St Andreu (ESP) 10-9 SIS Roma (ITA)
Final standings: 1. St Andreu 17, 2. Terrassa 9, 3. Orizzonte 6, 4. Roma 4
St Andreu completed their unbeaten run in the Group Stage after a hard-fought win against Roma at home.
The Spaniards took control in the second half, led 9-6 early in the fourth, however, their rivals climbed back to 9-8, but Paula Crespi’s goal from an extra 45 seconds from time secured the hosts’ win – they can now prepare for their first ever appearance in the Final Four.
Eight-time winners Orizzonte finished the stage on a high note as they hit 15 goals against Terrassa and moved to third place.
Group B
Astralpool Sabadell (ESP) 18-12 Dunaujvaros (HUN)
Mulhouse WP (FRA) 13-16 Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE)
Final standings: 1. Sabadell 18, 2. Alimos 9, 2. Mulhouse 5, 4. Dunaujvaros 4
Sabadell bagged their sixth win, reaching double digits once more at home.
They hit 18 against Dunaujvaros – on Day 3 they had some scares in the Hungarians’ home as they could only win 9-8, but this time they left no chance to face such a scenario.
Mulhouse and Alimos produced a thriller in the very last match of the Group Stage.
The French staged a brilliant first half and led 9-5 and were still 13-9 up deep into the third – only to see the Greeks finish with a final surge which propelled them to a 13-16 victory.
It was an amazing 0-7 run, including a 0-5 fourth period as the French side were shut out for the final 11 minutes of the match.
Group C
CN Mataro (ESP) 18-8 Ethnikos Piraeus (GRE)
DIGI-Eger (HUN) 9-8 FTC-Telekom Budapest (HUN)
Final standings: 1. Mataro 18, 2. Ethnikos 7, 3. FTC 6, 4. Eger 5
Just like their arch-rivals Sabadell, Mataro also netted 18 goals – for the third time in the group stage.
They demolished Ethnikos on the last day to finish 6/6 just like Sabadell and Olympiacos, the three favourites for the title.
In the all-Hungarian clash, Eger managed to snatch their first three-point victory over Ferencvaros – which prevented their fellow Magyar team from finishing second in the group.
Group D
Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 21-7 CN Mediterrani (ESP)
UVSE Budapest (HUN) 9-8 Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)
Final standings: 1. Olympiacos 18, 2. Vouliagmeni 9, 3. UVSE 9, 4. Mediterrani 0
On the last day, Olympiacos broke the single-game scoring record in the Group Stage.
So far, teams have produced 18 goals per game several times – like the two Spanish giants once more – now the Greeks stopped at 21 against Mediterrani, the only team with six defeats in the competition.
UVSE bid farewell to the European stage this season with a narrow victory over Vouliagmeni.
They should have won by two to finish second, but the Greeks climbed back from 4-1 and 9-7 to keep their runners-up position.
