KNZB Cup clashes on the menu! | Four matches to be viewed via livestream
This Saturday, a wonderful cup program is on the agenda for water polo enthusiasts. In the women's competition, two teams will battle for the final spots, while the men will have eight teams competing in the quarterfinals. Through this link, you can watch four matches via livestream.
Women's semifinals
ZV De Zaan – GZC Donk | 7:40 PM in Zaandam | Officiated by Roeland Sonnemans and Peter de Jong
Titans ZV De Zaan and GZC Donk clash in the semifinals. Both teams are filled with quality, but only one can advance to the grand final. These teams have not faced each other in an official match since the transfer season, yet they know each other inside out. It's hard to pick a clear favorite beforehand. GZC Donk, with more Olympians, might have the edge, but De Zaan, the defending champion and cup holder, has the recent results to back them up. Coaches Erik Bugue and Mick van den Bree will strive to send their teams sharply into the pool. The first whistle will sound in Zaandam at 7:40 PM. Just over an hour later, we will know which team will play on the final day in The Hague.
ZVL-1886 – UZSC | 5:05 PM in Leiden | Officiated by Ruben Sap and Harvey Hinds
ZVL-1886 and UZSC will battle for the other final ticket to The Hague's Hofbad. In the league, UZSC defeated Leiden's ZVL-1886 with a score of 13-7. However, it's unlikely that ZVL will give up easily. Coach Niels Joor leads a young squad that has been on the rise since the start of the season. On the other hand, Coach Rob Bijeman's team usually performs well in crucial matches. Referees Sap and Hinds will kick off the match at 5:05 PM in Leiden's De Vliet pool.
Men's quarterfinals
Het Ravijn – MNC Dordrecht | 3:30 PM in Nijverdal | Officiated by Marieke van den Berg and Henk Smit
Het Ravijn and MNC Dordrecht will be the first to open the quarterfinals at 3:30 PM this Saturday afternoon. MNC, coming off their first win of the season last weekend, will be the underdog against Het Ravijn in Nijverdal. However, a KNZB Cup quarterfinal is always a unique encounter.
UZSC – GZC Donk | 6:00 PM in Utrecht | Officiated by Mark Hendrik and Michiel Zwart
UZSC will host vice-national champions GZC Donk. The Utrecht team usually performs strongly against the Gouda opponents, who have been delivering convincing results recently. While UZ has the potential to surprise, GZC Donk is not a team to be underestimated.
ZPC Amersfoort – ZV De Ham ZC | 8:45 PM in Amersfoort | Officiated by Rik Evers and Sander Gransjean
Mark Siewers and his ZPC Amersfoort squad aim for a spot in the semifinals. With key players like Sebastiaan van Mil and top scorer Max van der Werve, the Keistad team is having a good season. However, facing ZV De Ham won't be an easy task. Zoran Stanisic's team gained experience in the Nordic League and seems ready to challenge Siewers' squad.
ZV De Zaan – PSV | 8:55 PM in Zaandam | Officiated by Pieter Bot and Joop van den Heuvel
ZV De Zaan continues their ruthless march through Dutch water polo. PSV meets all the criteria of a cup fighter, but Zaan coach Andreas Miralis is not easily overwhelmed by a Brabant whirlwind. The Noord-Hollanders will need to work hard at their home pool, De Slag, but PSV will need something extra to stay in the tournament.
