The Champions League Quarter-Final Stage concludes on Wednesday night with the sixth and final round, but the main questions have already been answered.
All four Final Four places were confirmed last week, meaning the final matchday will be played without the usual pressure of do-or-die European fixtures. Barceloneta have secured top spot in Group A, with Olympiacos finishing second, while Pro Recco and Ferencvaros have both collected 12 points in Group B.
In theory, Ferencvaros could still finish first in the group, but Pro Recco hold the better head-to-head record and host Waspo 98 Hannover in Genoa. A Recco win is the only realistic expectation, which means the semi-final pairings in Malta are effectively set: Pro Recco will face Olympiacos, while Barceloneta will meet Ferencvaros on 11 June.
That does not mean Wednesday’s games are without interest. With the pressure removed, the final round could produce open, entertaining matches as teams look to finish their European campaigns — or prepare for Malta — in positive fashion.
Fixtures
Wednesday, 20 May — 20:30 CET
Group A:
Olympiacos v Barceloneta
Novi Beograd v Brescia
Group B:
Pro Recco v Waspo 98 Hannover
Ferencvaros v Mladost
Group A
The headline fixture comes in Piraeus, where Olympiacos host Barceloneta in a meeting between two Final Four sides.
Barceloneta will be aiming to continue an excellent European campaign, having suffered only one defeat in the competition this season. Olympiacos, meanwhile, will want to show that their heavy 20-13 defeat in Barcelona was an off night rather than a true reflection of the gap between the teams.
That loss ended Olympiacos’ hopes of topping the group, but the Greek side recovered strongly with important victories over Novi Beograd and Brescia to secure their place in Malta.
Elsewhere, Novi Beograd and Brescia meet in a battle for third place. The match carries little wider significance, but both sides remained in Final Four contention until last week and will want to end their European season with a win.
Standings:
- Barceloneta – 15pts
- Olympiacos – 8pts
- Brescia – 4pts
- Novi Beograd – 3pts
Group B
In Group B, Pro Recco host Waspo 98 Hannover knowing victory should confirm first place. The German side have already shown they can compete at this level, most notably with their win over Mladost, but Recco will be strong favourites at home.
Ferencvaros, meanwhile, welcome Mladost to Budapest. The Croatian side have enjoyed a positive European season, reaching this stage for the first time since 2012, but FTC will be determined to avoid a third home defeat of the campaign.
Standings:
- Pro Recco – 12pts
- Ferencvaros – 12pts
- Mladost – 3pts
- Waspo 98 Hannover – 3pts
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