Ferencvaros produced a statement victory in Genoa, defeating Pro Recco 16:14 in the headline clash of Round 4 of the Champions League Quarter Final Stage.
Despite the defeat, Pro Recco remain in a strong position to finish top of Group B after their 13:9 win in Budapest earlier in the phase gives them the superior aggregate head-to-head record over the Hungarian champions.
It was a dramatic encounter of two contrasting halves. Ferencvaros were electric before the break, racing into a 10:4 lead and erasing Recco’s first-leg advantage through ruthless power-play execution. Recco responded superbly in the second half, cutting the deficit to just one goal in the closing minute, but could not find the equaliser.
With Recco pushing in a 7-on-6 attack in the dying seconds, Szilard Jansik sealed the win by scoring into an empty net.
The result means Ferencvaros remain the only side to defeat Pro Recco this season, having also beaten the Italians in the Super Cup earlier in the campaign.
Elsewhere, Waspo 98 Hannover claimed their first points of the Quarter Final Stage with a thrilling 15:14 comeback win over Mladost Zagreb.
As things stand, both Pro Recco and Ferencvaros need just one more point to mathematically secure qualification for the Final Four.
Pro Recco 14-16 Ferencvaros
(4:6, 0:4, 6:3, 4:3)
Ferencvaros travelled to Italy without several key names, including Dusan Mandic, Vendel Vigvari and Akos Nagy, but still delivered one of their finest performances of the season.
Luke Pavillard opened the scoring after just 64 seconds, but Ferencvaros quickly took control. Recco failed to convert any of their early extra-man chances, while the visitors were clinical, scoring all six of their first-quarter power plays.
Krisztian Manhercz was unstoppable early on, scoring four first-quarter goals as Ferencvaros stormed into a 6:4 lead.
The second quarter belonged entirely to the Hungarians. Strong defending, sharp transitions and continued excellence on the man-up saw them build a stunning 10:4 advantage by half-time. Soma Vogel also denied Álvaro Granados from the penalty spot.
Recco emerged transformed after the interval. Dusan Durik finally broke their power-play drought before Giacomo Cannella struck twice on the counter to reduce the deficit.
Although Marton Vámos and Gergo Fekete helped Ferencvaros steady themselves, Recco refused to go away. Cannella and Francesco Di Fulvio inspired a late surge, with Di Fulvio making it 15:14 from the penalty line with 45 seconds remaining.
After one final defensive stand, Ferencvaros punished Recco’s all-out gamble when Jansik found the empty cage.
Top scorers
Pro Recco: Di Fulvio 5, Cannella 4, Irving 2
Ferencvaros: Manhercz 5, Fekete 5, Haverkampf 2
Key stat
Ferencvaros converted an outstanding 12 of 15 power plays, while Recco managed just 3 of 12.
Waspo 98 Hannover 15-14 Mladost Zagreb
(2:3, 3:4, 6:5, 4:2)
Waspo Hannover’s persistence was rewarded with a crucial first victory of the Quarter Final Stage as they edged Mladost in a dramatic finish.
The Germans trailed for much of the match and were three goals down on multiple occasions, but stayed in touch throughout.
Mladost looked set for victory when Josip Vrlic gave them a 14:12 lead with just over three minutes to play. But Hannover responded instantly, scoring twice in 15 seconds through Strelezkij and Gansen to level matters.
Then, with 1:09 remaining, Kueppers converted a man-up chance for 15:14 — only Hannover’s second lead of the contest.
They then held firm defensively, surviving a man-down situation in the final minute to secure a famous win.
Top scorers
Hannover: Schipper 2, Kueppers 2, Strelezkij 2, Lozina 2
Mladost: Vrlic 3, Tonicic 2, Radulovic 2
Group B standings
- Pro Recco – 9 pts
- Ferencvaros – 9 pts
- HAVK Mladost – 3 pts
- Waspo 98 Hannover – 3 pts
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