Eurocup | CN Barcelona beats Panathinaikos and strengthens its leadership (13-10)
Important step taken by CN Barcelona in the LEN Eurocup. The Spanish water polo dean has defeated the Greek Panathinaikos at its Nova Escullera (13-10) and maintains its spectacular perfect record in Group D. 4/4 and qualification secured for the quarter-finals of the second continental competition still with two matchdays remaining in the group stage.
An important battle took place in the city of Barcelona. The first-leg match in Greek territory (8-10) was already intense. After the visitors took a 0-1 lead, CNB made a comeback and ended the first quarter one goal ahead (2-1). Pol Daura made it 3-1, but the Greeks equalized 4-4 with four minutes remaining until halftime. Just before the break, Pol Prat scored 5-4.
After the break, a thrilling second half unfolded with constant back and forth, intensity, leading to a very tight final score (8-7) with eight minutes to go. The last minutes were nerve-wracking, with Panathinaikos managing to equalize (10-10) with 2:39 left. That's when Pol Daura scored two goals and Pol Gomà added another to secure the final 13-10 victory.
RFEN Communication. Photo: Image from the match held at Nova Escullera / CN Barcelona
