Last season, Jadran Carina water polo players surprised Breša in the last round of qualification for the Champions League, and the Italians, stronger since this summer for Vjekoslav Pasković, did not wait long for the chance to rematch.
The draw brought together the chosen ones of Vladimir Gojković and Alessandro Bov again this year, again in a kind of barrage for the elite competition.
The first match will be played on October 26 in Lombardy, and the second leg is on November 9 in Novi.
"We got the most difficult opponent, the current winner of the European Cup and a team that is stronger than last season. We want to compete, to try to get to the Champions League, even though Brescia is the favorite. Last year was different, we took advantage of the fact that we played in the open pool in Novi, they made a big difference in that match and it was easier in the second leg," said Gojković.
Anyway, Jadran will continue competing in Europe - either in the Champions League or the Eurocup.
"Whoever doesn't make it to the Champions League will bring great quality to the Eurocup, I'm sure of that. Both competitions are very strong, and I think that if Breša eliminates us, they would reach the Champions League final. It's up to us to give it our all." , because the rematch with Brescia comes at a very difficult time due to the tight schedule, but we are not giving up," added Gojković.
If they get past the Italians, Jadran will play in Group A of the Champions League - along with Olympiakos, Solnok, Spandau, Nice and the winner of the qualifying match between OSC and Verona.
"Our goal was to make it to the playoffs in order to secure at least the European Cup, and we achieved that. I think that a young team like ours can be the best in European matches and it is very important that we passed. I am satisfied with how we did the second qualifying tournament, because realistically on paper we are not a better team than Hanover or Vuljagmeni. I am also satisfied with the newcomers - Marko Petković has already proven himself, he is a former European champion, the young Russian Danil Merkulov is a great talent, while Miloš Šćepanović has proven how much he essential against Vuljagmeni in key moments," concluded Gojković.
Champions League playoff pairings
Breša - Adriatic Customs
VASPO Hanover - Oradea
Primorje - Eger
OSC - Verona
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