Jadran Playing Against European Champions
Probably no one in today's water polo finds it easy and simple to play against Ferencvaros, let alone visit the green and white team in Budapest. On the other hand, such encounters still have a special feeling of sporting satisfaction. It is an opportunity to compete against the current best, to measure strengths with the top of the elite. Ferencvaros is exactly that. Not only the champion of its country, but also the champion of Europe, and the top candidate or favorite to win this season's Champions League. Our champion, Jadran from Split, is visiting this formidable opponent.
– They are definitely the strongest team in Europe at the moment. They have a fantastic team, and besides, they do not have such a heavy schedule and crowded calendar like we do – says Jure Marelja, coach of the Croatian champion, water polo player of Jadran from Split, and continues.
– All of this gives Ferencvaros time for better rest and preparation for each match against their next opponent, whom they can then focus on entirely. Nevertheless, I stick to what I said at the beginning of the season, before the first match. We always aim for victory in every game, no matter where or against whom. This applies to Budapest and Ferencvaros as well. We will do our utmost to go for the win on Tuesday.
That is the only correct path and mindset in sports. As for the team, Jadran is arriving in the main Hungarian city in full squad. According to the club's information, goalkeeper Marko Bijač, who has had minor back pain in recent days, has resolved the issues and is ready for the match.
On the other side, there is no good news from Budapest for Jadran. The team, which is already incredibly strong (Mandić, Vamos, Di Somma, Argyropoulos, Vogel, Jansik, De Torro...), has now become even stronger. Krisztian Manhercz has recovered from a hand injury and played his first match of the season just last weekend.
Ferencvaros has won two matches in the quarterfinals of the Hungarian Cup against Kaposvar (25:7 and 24:10), and has qualified for the final tournament or Final Four of the national cup in mid-December this year. Before these two cup matches, Ferencvaros also played against Kaposvar in the Hungarian Championship and achieved high victories (21:7).
Actually, this season the Hungarian team has not experienced any defeats. In the Champions League, in the first two rounds, they won against the Georgian Dinamo at home (16:7) and Radnički in Kragujevac (12:5).
The 3rd round match of Group B of the Champions League, Ferencvaros – Jadran, starts on Tuesday (October 29) at 8:00 p.m., and you can watch the broadcast from the Bela Komjadi pool on Arena Sport 3.
