After the winning of the Greek Super Cup and the first victory in the Greek Championship, the men’s water polo team was defeated in the first game of the Champions League against Verona with 7-6. The ‘’Reds’’ were not good defensively and offensively in the second quarter and although they did a 4-1 run in the second half, they didn’t achieved to overturn the game. The next game is against Hannover in Germany (3/11). 

Key action: 

The first period was balanced with the two teams scoring two goals (2-2). In the second quarter, the Italian team was more decisive, scored four goals, Lazovic made a series of brilliant saves and the first half ended 6-2. 

In the second half, Olympiacos improved its defense but wasn’t effective offensively. Buslje scored for 6-3 which was the score of the third period. The ‘’Reds’’ were decisive to overturn the game and Fountoulis reduced to two goals (6-4). Verona replied before Obradovic scored again to reduce to two goals. Gounas did 7-6 a minute before the end of the game but Olympiacos didn’t complete to overturn the game. 

Match data: 

The quarters: 2-2, 4-0, 0-1, 1-3

BPM Sport Management: Lazovic, Dolce, Damonte 2, Alesiani, Fondelli, Di Somma 2, Drasovic 2, Bruni, Mirarchi 1, Luongo, Casasola, Valentino, Nicosia

Olympiacos: Pavic, Mylonakis, Skoumpakis, Genidounias, Fountoulis 2, Nikolaidis, Dervisis, Buslje 1, Mourikis 1, Gounas 1, Argyropoulos, Obradovic 1, Galanopoulos

Statements: 

The Head Coach, Thodoris Vlachos stated at olympiacossfp.gr: “We started the season with a defeat in the European competitions having a nervous performance that reflects the whole situation of the team during the month of our preparation. We are preparing with many problems that we cannot overcome. The next games will be very difficult and we need to return to the victories.’’