Hallock, Gruwell Qualify For Champions League Final Eight

28 Nov 2023

USA Water Polo

European Club Results (Men)

LEN Champions League, Day 5

Jadran Split - Jadran Herceg Novi, 16-14 Team USA attacker Thomas Gruwell and Jadran Split qualified for the Final 8 with a close win over Jadran Herceg Novi. Jadran HN led 3-1 in the 7th minute, however, Jadran Split scored four straight goals in less than three minutes to take a 5-3 lead. Still, the Montenegrins closed the second quarter with two goals, and the teams were tied 5-5 at halftime. The visitors regained a lead in their first possession of the second half. Jadran Split answered with a 3-0 run for an 8-6 lead. The hosts, who scored during nearly all of their opportunities in the third quarter, stretched the margin to three (10-7, 11-8, & 12-9). Two seconds before the final break, Jadran HN scored from a penalty and that was the start of the visitors' new comeback. They leveled at 12-12 and 13-13 in the fourth period. But in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Croats scored back-to-back goals, which were vital for their win. The teams quickly exchanged goals and the Croatian champion kept a 2-goal advantage to book a ticket to the next round.

Champions League - Figure 1 — Photo USA Water Polo

Vouliagmeni - Barceloneta, 10-16 Team USA defender Dylan Woodhead scored two for Vouliagmeni in a loss to Barceloneta. Although Barceloneta earned a 4-goal lead midway through the second period (7-3), the Greek squad did not give up. They reduced the gap to two early in the third quarter, however, Barceloneta regained control soon after and scored three consecutive goals by the end of the third period. With a goal from a counterattack, the Spaniards had a comfortable five-goal lead going into the final frame. The Spanish scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, ending any hopes of a comeback for Vouliagmeni.

Spandau 04 Berlin - Marseille, 11-13 Team USA attacker Tyler Abramson and Spandau 04 came up short in a close loss to Marseille. After ten goals in the first quarter, both teams consolidated their defenses in the second period. The next goal came in the 13th minute when Tyler Abramson cut the deficit to one goal. Spandau managed to catch up with its rival with 22 seconds left on the clock. Abramson was the scorer again for 6-6. However, Marseille forced an exclusion and took a slim advantage into halftime. Marseille kept the momentum gained at the finish of the first half and built a 3-goal lead in the third period (8-5, 9-6, 10-7). The French, who had great support from the home fans, couldn't keep the desired lead. Spandau opened the third period with two quick goals and came close again, 9-10. In the remaining time, the teams exchanged goals. Neither of the sides could do what they wished – Spandau to level the score and Marseille to earn a three-goal lead.

Brescia - Novi Beograd, 5-13 Team USA attacker Max Irving and Brescia got on the scoreboard on the first possession – from a penalty shot. Novi Beograd leveled in the 7th minute and went in front 32 seconds before the first break. The second quarter was similar to the first one – there were not many goals, defenses dominated, and both teams made many mistakes in the attack. Each team committed eight personal fouls in the first half (one on each side was a penalty foul). The hosts converted one of its seven man-ups, Brescia none. Brescia leveled at 2-2 and 3-3. Still, Novi Beograd had a slim advantage at halftime, 4-3. The game followed the same pattern in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Brescia successfully leveled the score at 4-4 and 5-5. Novi Beograd produced a 3-0 run and entered the final frame with a solid 8-5 advantage. The Serbs scored back-to-back goals early in the fourth period, jumped ahead 10-5, and it was clear that three points would go to Novi Beograd. Max Irving scored once for Brescia on the day.

Champions League - Figure 2 — Photo USA Water Polo

Pro Recco - Jug Dubrovnik, 13-9 Team USA captain Ben Hallock and Pro Recco qualified for Final 8 before the last round after defeating Team USA attacker Hannes Daube and Jug Dubrovnik. Recco led throughout the match but Jug managed to come within one in the 8th minute. Recco doubled its advantage shortly after. The hosts earned a 3-goal lead in the third period (6-3 & 7-4). A man-up score early in the third quarter gave Recco a four-goal edge for the first time. The Italians had a five-goal lead a few times, but Jug reduced the distance to four. Ben Hallock and Hannes Daube each scored one for their respective sides.

Euro Cup, Group Phase, Round 5

Group A

Telimar - Solaris, 11-13 Team USA attackers Johnny Hooper and Quinn Woodhead both scored twice for Telimar in its Euro Cup loss to Solaris. The first quarter belonged to Telimar, but Solaris opened the second period with three consecutive goals for 4-3. Telimar responded in the same manner and regained a three-goal lead (6-4), but another response was yet to come. Solaris scored five goals in a row in three and a half minutes and jumped to 9-6. Still, that wasn't the end of the series of turns as Telimar took control and produced a 4-0 run for a 10-9 lead. Solaris regained a lead and entered the final minute with a 11-10 advantage. Johnny Hooper leveled at 11-11 with 0:53 to play. Solaris went back in front 12-11 with 26 seconds left on the clock. Telimar tried to level the score in a 7-on-6 attack as goalkeeper Jurisic helped his teammates in the hosts' half of the field. The Italians missed and Solaris' goalkeeper scored in the very last second.

Group B

Savona - Vasas, 16-13 Team USA attacker Marko Vavic and Savona beat Vasas by three after Vavic recorded a hat trick for Savona. Vasas got off to a good start, however, it didn't keep the same rhythm throughout the game. Vasas led 3-1 in the first period and 6-4 early in the second. Then, Savona scored three goals in three consecutive attacks and went ahead 7-6. Vasas caught up with the hosts before the middle break (8-8). Savona dictated the pace in the third period and built a two-goal lead. Early in the fourth period, Vasas leveled at 12-12 to get back in the game. However, Savona answered with a 3-0 run. In the 30th minute, the hosts earned a 15-12 advantage. Vasas still had a chance, but couldn't equalize.

Champions League - Figure 3 — Photo USA Water Polo

Group C

Waspo 98 Hannover - Primorje, 10-16 Kacper Langiewicz and Waspo 98 lost to Primorje for the second time this season. The Croats opened the match up 2-0 and never let Hannover equalize. In the 14th minute, Primorje streched the margin to four (6-2). The visitors opened the third period with three goals for a huge 11-4 advantage. They widened the gap to nine (14-5), before Hannover reduced the gap, which was a slim consolation.

Group D

Ortigia - Trieste, 11-14 Team USA attacker Luca Cupido and Ortigia never had a lead in this match, but it chased Trieste in the first half. In the 14th minute, the visitors earned a three-goal advantage and continued with two early goals in the third quarter to earn a four-goal lead for the first time (10-6). Ortigia managed to equalize at 11-11 just 19 seconds before the end of the third period. However, Trieste closed the quarter with a last-second goal. The visitors added two goals in the fourth quarter. Luca Cupido scored one for Ortigia in the loss.

Italian Domestic League, Day 9

Pro Recco - Brescia, 12-4 Pro Recco and Ben Hallock demolished Brescia and Max Irving to widen the gap between the two teams to nine points. Brescia took a 1-0 lead after just 35 seconds of play. But after that, Pro Recco's defense did a great job. Recco produced a 6-0 run by the middle break and entered the final frame leading 9-2. Brescia had ten man-up attacks in the first three quarters and didn't convert a single one on the day.

Savona - Iren Genova Quinto, 15-7 Team USA attacker Marko Vavic and Savona handled Iren Genova Quinto.

Telimar - Trieste, 15-12 Johnny Hooper and Quinn Woodhead helped Telimar to victory over Trieste. Hooper scored five to power the Telimar offense.

Ortigia - Posillipo, 10-10 Luca Cupido and Ortigia shared the points with Posillipo. The Naples-based team started excellently. It led 5-1 at the first break. Early in the fourth period, Ortigia leveled for the first time at 9-9. Two and a half minutes before the end, Ortigia took a 10-9 lead. Posillipo saved a point, thanks to an equalizer on a man-up advantage with 35 seconds to go. Cupido notched a hat trick for Ortigia in the contest.

Champions League - Figure 4 — Photo USA Water Polo

Spanish Domestic League, Day 10

Mataro - Catalunya, 12-6 Team USA goalkeeper Jack Turner and Mataro upended Catalunya.

Mediterrani - Terrassa, 5-9 Team USA defender Mason McQuet and Mediterrani fell to Terrassa.

Regional League, Round 10

Jadran Split - Jadran Herceg Novi, 13-15 Thomas Gruwell and Jadran Split lost in a penalty shootout to Jadran Hercerg Novi. The Montenegrins led by three goals in the second quarter (7-4 & 8-5). Jadran Split leveled at 10-10 before the last break. Jadran HN opened the fourth period with a power-play goal for an 11-10 advantage. Split leveled at 11-11 from a counterattack with 1:35 to go. The match entered the shootout. The Montenegrin team had stronger nerves and took two points. But, one point was enough for Jadran Split to keep the top spot.

Upcoming Schedule

Champions League, Day 6 December 5

Group D Vouliagmeni vs. Spandau 04

Group C Jadran Split vs. FTC Telekom

Champions League, Day 6 December 6

Group B Pro Recco vs. Olympiacos Jug Dubrovnik vs. Dinamo Tbilisi

Group A Brescia vs. Bucharest

Euro Cup, Group Phase, Day 6 December 9

Group A Telimar vs. Tourcoing

Group B Savona vs. Honved

Group C Waspo 98 Hannover vs. Sabac

Group D Ortigia vs. Primorje