Marseille takes a big step towards the title, Strasbourg takes an option on the podium

The French Elite Water Polo Championship delivered an intense weekend with the first-leg final, the first-leg small final, and the return match for 5th place. Three matches played, three different scenarios, but one constant: suspense, spectacle, and high-level performances.

Marseille tames Aix

There was electricity in the air at Yves Blanc for this first leg of the final. Boosted by their heroic victory over Strasbourg in the semi-final, PAN started the match with great intensity. This was soon reflected on the scoreboard: Watanabe opened the scoring with a tight shot, before Mathias Bachelier doubled the lead (2-0).

But Aix's lead didn't last. Marseille accelerated in the middle of the first period, with Prlainovic, Bouet, and Marion-Vernoux bringing the Phocéens level and then taking the lead (3-5 at the end of the first quarter). CNM, true to their style, controlled the weaker moments and struck at the right time.

The second quarter was more balanced. Aix tried to react and closed in at 5-6 thanks to Watanabe, who was omnipresent in the attack. But Angyal and then Velotto found the net to give Marseille a 6-8 lead at halftime.

After the break, Ugo Crousillat and Bodegas extended the lead to +4 (6-10), but Khasz and Watanabe kept PAN in the match. Each Aix goal was immediately answered by Marseille, and the collective clarity of Milos Scepanovic's men made the difference in key moments.

The final quarter was the most spectacular. Aix, driven by their fans, cut the lead to 12-13 with a sharp-angled shot from Óscar Montes Gómez, creating a breathless atmosphere. But Prlainovic, once again, scored his third goal with a subtle lob, sealing the score at 12-14.

Strasbourg outclasses Montpellier and aims for the bronze

Defeated in a thrilling semi-final, Strasbourg bounced back by winning 14-10 in Montpellier in the first leg for 3rd place. Serious and efficient from the start, the Alsaciens built their victory on solid defense and a variety of attacking options.

Steven Vitrant, Sasa Misic, Martin Gardasevic, and Vlado Popadic all found the net, while Aubin Denux scored an important brace in the final moments. Montpellier, led by a fiery Pal Antal Irmes (5 goals), tried to hang on, but lacked defensive rigor to hope for more.

Reims holds Sète, but with no consequence for the Sétois

Despite a large win in the first leg (15-7), Sète confirmed their overall superiority despite a spectacular and hotly contested return match in Reims. The Rémois, spurred on by their initial underperformance, delivered a solid performance, led by a sparkling Karlo Krekovic (6 goals) and an active David Babic.

But on the other side, Denis Do Carmo (5 goals), Louis Debiais, and Nikolas Paul Garcia constantly responded to the Champagne's assaults. Despite several tie scores (7-7, 11-11, 13-13), Reims never managed to build a sufficient lead to worry the Hérault team over the two matches.

Results

Pays d’Aix Natation - CN Marseille: 12 - 14 (3-5, 3-3, 3-4, 3-2)

PAN: Bachelier 3, Beteille L. 2, Khasz 2, Watanabe 3, Montes 2

Marseille: Angyal 2, Crousillat 2, Prlainovic 3, Bouet 3, Marion-Vernoux 2, Bodegas 1, Velotto 1

Montpellier WP - Team Strasbourg: 10 - 14 (1-3, 1-3, 3-2, 5-6)

Montpellier: Chandieu 3, Vidil 1, Irmes 5, Spilliaert 1

Strasbourg: Canovas 1, Popadic 2, Vitrant 2, Gardasevic 2, Denis 3, Misic 3, Mas 1

Stade de Reims - Sète Natation: 14 - 14 (4-5, 3-2, 4-4, 3-3)

Reims: De Bie 2, Babic 3, Missy 1, Willemsen 3, Krekovic 5

Sète: Sauton 2, Lopinot 1, Do Carmo 5, Paul Garcia 2, Debiais 3, Gomes Da Silva 1

Photo credit - WP Inside