The first encounter between Ferencvaros and Pro Recco on their American tour was a thriller.
Ferencvaros defeated Pro Recco in a penalty shootout, 16:14, at the Asphalt Green pool in New York.
The game was played in front of packed stands, and Recco had a great start. The Euro Cup winner took an early 3:0 lead. The reigning European champion leveled at 3:3, but Recco had a slim 4:3 lead at the first break. Ferencvaros went ahead (6:5) in the second quarter. Then, Argyropoulos was excluded because of a violent foul committed on Iocchi Gratta (Do you remember what happened in Singapore? – Ed.). Irving leveled from a penalty awarded to Recco after the foul, but Ferencvaros regained a lead before the middle break – 7:6.
The teams exchanged goals in the third period, with Ferencvaros taking the lead and Pro Recco in pursuit. The Italians leveled the score at 7:7, 8:8, and 9:9. Deep into the quarter, Ferencvaros scored back-to-back goals (Manhercz and Mandic) to earn a two-goal advantage for the first time at 11:9. Just six seconds before the end of the quarter, Fondelli reduced the deficit.
Pro Recco’s young players, Condemi and newcomer Patchaliev, secured a 12:11 lead for their team at the beginning of the fourth period.. Ferencvaros answered with two goals from Vismeg and Manhercz, but Pavillard managed to equalize with two minutes left, making it 13:13. No further goals were scored in the remainder of the match. Pro Recco had the final possession, but in the dying seconds, Francesco Di Fulvio hit the post. In the penalty shootout, Pro Recco’s players scored only once, while Ferencvaros found the net thrice.
This game was the first of two American overtures before the European Super Cup, where Ferencvaros and Pro Recco are scheduled to meet on October 8 in Budapest. The Hungarian and Italian giants will face each other again on Sunday in Princeton. On Saturday, Ferencvaros will play against Foldham, while Recco will compete against the host team, Princeton.
Pro Recco – Ferencvaros 14:16 (4:3, 2:4, 4:4, 3:2, PSO 1:3)
Pro Recco: Di Fulvio 3, Iocchi Gratta 2, Cannella 1, Presciutti 1, Pavillard 1, Granados 1, Irving 1, Mladossich 1, Patchaliev 1, Fondelli 1, Condemi 1.
Pro Recco: Manhercz 3, Fekete 3, Vamos 2, Jansik 2, Varga 1, Argyropoulos 1, Di Somma 1, De Toro 1, Vismeg 1, Molnar 1
