Magnificent Dutch representation at the highest European level
This weekend marks the first day of the Champions League. It promises to be an exciting start for both Dutch participating teams and the ten players in their international squads. There are multiple frontrunners for the victory in the biggest European club tournament. What are the expectations of the ladies for the initial group match?
Group A: Dutch talent and experience face off
The opening match will reunite three Dutch internationals. Greek team Vouliagmeni (Kitty Lynn Joustra and Lola Moolhuijzen) and Spanish team Terrassa (Nina ten Broek) aim to kick off the campaign successfully. It will be an exciting clash where Joustra and Moolhuijzen had a good rehearsal with a crucial 12-10 victory over Alimos this week. Joustra scored twice and Moolhuijzen five times. They anticipate an enjoyable and thrilling match against the Spanish team.
‘’We are evenly matched. Both teams finished first in the qualification group and we understand how crucial it is to win the first match. We are feeling good about it and have a lot of confidence. The win over Alimos has boosted our confidence, and I believe we are prepared for it!’’
Ten Broek, versatile with her defensive and offensive play, is a key player in her Spanish team’s tactics. She is looking forward to the top match.
‘’I expect a real battle. Vouliagmeni has a strong team, but I believe we can put up a good fight. If we perform well, we can also win. I also expect a large crowd, which will provide us with real support! Champions League matches really ignite the atmosphere at the club, so I am excited!’’
The second match in the group is between Hungarian team Dunaujvaros and defending champion CN Sabadell, where Dutch top water polo players Simone van de Kraats and Laura Aarts play.Last weekend, Aarts and Van de Kraats clinched the European Super Cup by defeating Padova, led by Maxine Schaap, at home.
It will be a sweet reunion for the strong Aarts with her former club where she emerged as the world's best goalkeeper over two periods. Van de Kraats, one of the most talented shooters in the Netherlands, will play a crucial attacking role against the strong Hungarian team. She finished last Champions League season as the fourth highest goal scorer with 22 goals on the charts.
Group B: Adventure begins for Polar Bears
Polar Bears kick off their campaign on Sunday against the formidable CN Mataró, a team known for their experience and quality. It is a great challenge for the Polar Bears and a good test against last season's fourth-placed team. A positive result would be a fantastic start to their campaign. Fleurien Bosveld is looking forward to Sunday.
‘’I anticipate an enjoyable match between two evenly matched teams. To maintain our rhythm, we played a friendly match against UZSC in our free weekend, and it was great to play against them. We are all super excited, and there is a very positive atmosphere in the group! Everyone knows that if we remain focused in defense, we definitely have a chance! Besides, our assistant coach John celebrated his birthday yesterday, so we are working towards a nice birthday present for him on Sunday!’’
Noa de Vries, playing for the traditional strong Hungarian top club FTC Telekom, will face Italian team Padova led by Maxine Schaap. This match is a great opportunity for reigning Euro Cup champion Schaap to shine at the highest level, while De Vries also aims to make her mark.
Group C: GZC Donk against strong competition
In their opening group match, GZC Donk will take on SIS Roma, a strong and tenacious Italian team. Despite the quality and international experience in the GZC Donk squad led by coach Erik Brugue, it won't be an easy match for the Gouda team. Reigning Champions League winner with Sabadell, Maartje Keuning, is enjoying the European adventure.
‘’It is fun and educational for the team. Together, we are taking leaps forward in a short period. The overall feeling in the group is that we are excited to engage in battle with Roma, Alimos, and Olympiakos over the coming months. It will be a physical and highly competitive match against Roma on Saturday. They are a team with a lot of Champions League experience, very determined and with dangerous players. We will have to give it our all tomorrow at Groenhovenbad.’’
The 28-year-old Maud Megens, one of the most experienced Dutch players, will play with her Greek club Alimos against Olympiakos, one of the favorites for the title. It will be interesting to see how Megens performs in this Greek confrontation.
Group D: Strong Hungarian teams against Dutch ladies
In the competitive Group D, Roline Schuijt and her team CN Sant Andreu, winners of the Spanish Super Cup last weekend, will face Hungarian team Zuglo. Robin Jutte will play with her team Ekipe Orizzonte against UVSE from Budapest. It will be a tough challenge for both Dutch players to overcome the strong Hungarian teams.
Expectations and Predictions
With a significant number of Dutch players spread across various top teams, Dutch water polo is well represented at the highest level of European water polo. It is crucial for Polar Bears and GZC Donk to demonstrate their capabilities from the start of the tournament. Sabadell is the top favorite for winning the Champions League this season, with Sant Andreu as the main contender. Olympiakos, FTC, Alimos, Mataró, Vouliagmeni, and GZC Donk are considered the dark horses. It promises to be an intriguing weekend where we can observe how the teams and players fare against strong international competition.
Yesterday, ZV De Zaan started the second qualifying round of the Euro Cup well with a 19-11 victory over Israeli club Hapoel Yoqneam
All results and standings will be available as of tomorrow on this page. This is the livestream link.
