CSM Oradea advances to the Champions League quarter-finals after a thrilling match with Steaua
CSM Oradea has qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals after defeating CSA Steaua Bucharest with a score of 19-18 in the penalty shoot-out.
At the end of regular time, the score was tied 11-11. Period scores were 2-3, 2-3, 3-1, and 4-4.
The fans watching the match in Oradea witnessed a spectacular and tense derby. Steaua needed a win to advance, while a draw was enough for Petar Kovacevic's players to secure qualification.
The match at the Ioan Alexandrescu pool in Oradea followed a similar pattern to the first leg in Otopeni, which also ended in a penalty shoot-out.
The Steaua team started strong and led 3-2 after the first 8 minutes. Bogdan Rath's team doubled their advantage at halftime (6-4). The Romanian champions could have been three goals ahead, but goalkeeper Raul Gavriş saved a 5-meter shot from Vlad Georgescu.
Oradea managed to overturn the scoreline in the third quarter with three consecutive goals during a black-out period for the red and blues (7-6). However, the score was level before the final quarter after Tudor Fulea scored from a penalty.
The qualification was decided in the final minutes of the match at the Ioan Alexandrescu pool, maintaining balance until the end. With 43 seconds left, Nebojsa Vuskovic put Steaua in the lead and on the verge of the quarter-finals, but Oradea did not give up. With 15 seconds remaining, Levente Vancsik equalized and sent his team into the Champions League Top 8.
The penalty shoot-out followed, with CSM Oradea winning 8-7, with Filip Gardasevic scoring the winning goal. Final score 19-18.
In the other group match, Novi Beograd defeated Waspo Hannover away with a score of 12-9.
Final standings: 1. Novi Beograd
CSM Oradea finished second (10 points), behind the unbeaten leader Novi Belgrad (18), both qualifying for the quarter-finals. Steaua finished third (7) and will continue to play in the Len Euro Cup.
Other teams qualifying for the quarter-finals are: VK Novi Beograd (Serbia), FTC Telekom Waterpolot (Hungary), VK Jadran Split (Croatia), Zodiac CNAB (Spain), CN Marseille (France), Olympiacos SFP (Greece), and RN Savona (Italy).
The draw for the next phase of the competition will take place on Wednesday, December 11.
Champions League - Group A
Oradea, December 4, 2024
CSM Oradea - Steaua 19-18 (2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 4-4; 8-7)
CSM Oradea: Levente Vancsik 4 goals, Filip Gardasevic 3 goals, Mihnea Gheorghe 2, Nichita Ilisie, Petar Velkic.
Steaua: Silvian Colodrovschi 3 goals, Vlad Georgescu 3, Nebojsa Vuskovic 2, Francesco Iudean 2, Raducu Dinca.
Referees: Jaume Teixido (ESP) and Veselin Miskovic (MNE)
Man-up situations: CSM Oradea 8/12 and Steaua 6/7
Penalties: CSM Oradea 1/1 and Steaua 1/3
