KAP7 Aussie Sharks captain Aaron Younger wins third LEN Champions League trophy

KAP7 Aussie Sharks captain Aaron Younger has won his third LEN Champions League trophy over the weekend with Italian powerhouse club Pro Recco.

It’s Younger’s third LEN Champions League trophy, previously winning titles with Hungarian Clubs FTC Telekom Budapest and Szolnok.

Younger, who is on track to make his third Olympic team, scored one goal in Recco’s 9-6 win over his old team FTC Telekom Budapest.

Making the move to Italy in the middle of 2020, Younger admits that although initially it was a tough decision to move, the risk has been worth the reward.

“This was my first season in Italy after playing a long time in Hungary, so there was quite a bit for me to do at first to adapt to my new teammates,” Younger said.

“It’s definitely been a learning curve for me, but it’s been a great opportunity to expand my game style and develop as a player.

“I moved to Recco with the Champions League title always being the main goal for the club and also for myself, so to achieve our goal at the end of the season was an amazing feeling,” he said.

The win cements Younger as arguably one of top players on the international stage, the 2021 trophy adding to his growing tally, having taken out the title in 2017 and 2019 as well.

“This is my third Champions League title, each being as part of a different club,” Younger said.

“All three experiences have been unique for different reasons – this is the first time I have won with a club who was the favourite to win, and not the underdog.

“So, for me personally, this was the most pressure I have ever felt going into a finals series.

“The goal for the top four clubs is always to win the Champions League, but in Recco the pressure and expectations are even higher than that.

“For us to win at the end was an amazing feeling after a long and complicated season,” he said.

With his Champions League campaign now wrapped up, Younger will turn his attention to the Tokyo Olympics, where he is set to Captain the side for the first time at an Olympic Games.

“Unfortunately due to travel restrictions I am unable to return to Australia, as taking two weeks out of the water this close to the Games is not possible,” Younger said.

“I will be training and preparing in Italy, before rejoining with the team for our pre-staging camp.

“I know the boys have been working so hard back in Australia, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can put together in Tokyo,” he said.