Marseille crushes Split and enters history

The Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille made a big statement. Wednesday night, in Croatian territory, the French champions secured their ticket to the Champions League Final 4 with authority, winning 18-6 against Jadran Split. A dazzling performance that marks a turning point in the history of the club... and French water polo!

A dream start, a one-sided match

The stage was set: a perilous trip to Split, facing a team always difficult to handle at home. The Marseillais knew what they had to do. A victory would secure qualification for Malta without having to play a "final" in Athens in two weeks.

The message was clear from the first minutes: CNM was not there to tremble. Carried by remarkable defensive intensity and surgical offense, Milos Scepanovic's players quickly killed any suspense. After ten minutes of play, the score already showed (0-5). The Marseille steamroller never stopped, even reaching a twelve-goal lead in the last quarter (3-15), before closing the match with an impressive (6-18).

A collective performance, a strong symbol

It's hard to single out one name as the performance was collective. But if a face had to be associated with this victory, it would probably be Alexandre Bouet, author of five goals. The French international was one of the main contributors to a landmark triumph.

Beyond the score, it's the manner that impresses. Marseille dominated proceedings from start to finish, imposing its rhythm, its strategy, and demonstrating a mastery worthy of the top European teams.

A historic qualification for French water polo

Thanks to this victory, Marseille joins the continental elite. The direct qualification for the Final 4 — without depending on other results — illustrates the club's constant progress on the European stage, as well as the declared ambition to compete with the best teams on the continent.

The success of Novi Beograd against Olympiacos at the same time did not change anything: the Marseillais had already done the job.

Next stage: Malta, on May 14 in sight

The Final 4 will take place in Malta, and it will be necessary to wait until May 14 to know the Cercle's future opponent. Two possibilities emerge: Ferencvaros or Barceloneta. Two powerhouses of European water polo, but none that can intimidate such a conquering CNM. One thing is certain: the Marseillais will be ready, and the French polo community will be behind them!

Jadran Split – CN Marseille: 06 - 18 (0-4, 2-4, 1-5, 3-5)

Jadran: Radan 1, Butic 2, Pejkovic 1, Fatovic 2

Marseille: Angyal 2, Crousillat 2, Spaic 2, Prlainovic 2, Vernoux 4, Bouet 5, Bodegas 1

Results

Group A

• Novi Beograd – Olympiacos: 16-15
• Jadran Split – Marseille: 6-18

Group B

• Oradea – Barceloneta: 8-14
• Ferencvaros – Savone: 15-11

Photo credit - Facebook CN Marseille