The Adriatic water polo players have engaged in three thrilling yet unpredictable matches during the initial rounds of the Champions League. Their current standing reflects a single victory and two defeats, earning them two points, as they narrowly triumphed over Red Star with a score of 21:20 after a tense five minutes.

While Novljan may feel they deserved better, the defeats against Ferencvaros in Hungary (9:7) and Jadran Split in Trebinje (11:10) were ultimately determined by the considerable individual quality of their rivals.

A fresh challenge awaits Petar Radanović’s team on Tuesday at 19:00, as they host Ferencvaros, the only team in group C with a perfect record, in Trebinje. Alongside their victories against Jadran and Zvezda, FTC has cemented their status as the top contender to progress further.

“Ferencvaros possesses impressive individual talent and appears to be performing at a higher level than in our earlier encounter this season. They are a premier team that has effectively adapted to the absence of center Nemet, presenting us with another challenging task,” Radanović remarked.

For the third time this season, Jadran will act as the host, despite the pool not being their own.

“I’m pleased with the team’s demeanor, especially since we’re effectively guests in every match. However, we are adapting to our role in Trebinje; I can see the players growing more fond of the pool, and this is reflected in our performances. The victory over Red Star was incredibly significant for us, even if we didn’t perform quite as well as in previous games. That win certainly boosted our confidence, and I believe it will help us in our Champions League journey,” Radanović emphasized.

As for what a breakthrough would mean…

“It’s unfair to challenge a team featuring Dušan Mandić and Denes Varga. Naturally, we aim for victory, but I would be content if we showcase improved performance compared to earlier matches, avoiding prolonged lapses. At this level, teams like these capitalize on every mistake, and I hope we have learned from our experiences. FTC is a formidable opponent; I believe that a strong start in this match is crucial as we must prevent their key players from finding their rhythm. If two or three of them excel, it will create a difficult situation for us,” Radanović concluded.

“We require a significant victory to instill belief within the team that we can achieve our goals. I witness ambition in every training session and game to compete with Europe’s elite. I’m confident we’re on the right path.”

The second match in the group will feature Zvezda facing off against Split’s Jadran at 20:00 in Belgrade. The “red and white” have managed just a single point, while the Croatian champions amassed six points over three rounds.

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