The idyllic scenario has a good chance of coming true for the CNM.
The protégés of Milos Scepanovic, second in group C with six points, receive the residents of Vasas SC, this Tuesday (8 p.m.) at the Pierre-Garsau basin, in Marseille, as part of the fifth and penultimate day of the 1is Champions League round.
With only three points ahead in the standings over their Hungarian opponents and the Montenegrins from the Jadran Herceg Novi club, they have not yet obtained their ticket to join the second round of the European Cup. But Thomas Vernoux and others have a high probability of getting it at the final whistle of this meeting.
In the event of a victory against Vasas and if, at the same time, Jadran loses against Barceloneta – undefeated leader of the group and already assured of continuing the European adventure – the Marseille polo players will be qualified for the equivalent of the quarters of final.
” Everyone
is 150% concentrated »
The Cercle des nageurs de Marseille and Vasas have already faced each other in the first leg, on October 16 in Budapest (13-11 defeat). A match where the Marseille polo players missed “ pace, patience to find shots, defensive intensity and presence in the Hungarian low defense », According to Captain Ugo Crousillat. “ We certainly hadn't taken them seriously enough. We really fell into their trap. Today, we are aware of their level. We cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes », he adds.
The latter is aware of the stakes “ capital » of this European reception. “ We took the first step towards qualification last week by winning a great battle in Jadran (9-3). Now we want to finish the work so that we can move forward with our goal : go as far as possible in the Champions League », insists the winner of the 2017 edition with the Hungarian club Szolnok.
A solidified group
Phocaean training, favorite of this meeting without being arrogant », as announced by coach Scepanovic, presents himself in his pool with an almost complete group. Only Vladan Spaic will not participate in the meeting.
The Montenegrin forward received a ten-match suspension during the opening match of the Champions League against Jadran HN (October 9, 13-11 victory), following an incident involving Serbian Vuk Milojevic.
« We feel that the mayonnaise is setting little by little », Estimates Ugo Crousillat, aware that the newcomers, like the Spanish winger Marc Larumbe, needed time to adapt to find their feet in Marseille.
« Our recruits arrived with the desire to integrate quickly and bring their qualities to the team », Underlines the CNM coach, convinced that they will be decisive in achieving this very important victory.
