The most important match of the Italian League 20th round took place in Naples, where Posillipo, aiming to reach 4th place, hosted Brescia, which currently shares the top spot with Pro Recco. The match produced a lot of excitement. Eventually, Brescia recorded a narrow 12:11 win.
Brescia was the first team to earn a solid lead in the duel in Naples. Midway through the first period, Posillipo was 3:2 ahead. Following the hosts’ third goal, Brescia kept them scoreless for nearly 11 minutes, during which the visitors launched a 4:0 run to take a 6:3 lead. Posillipo fought back, scoring two goals in the 16th minute to trail by just one at 5:6.
Posillipo’s Milicic prolonged his team’s series and leveled at 6:6 shortly after the middle break. In the rest of the third quarter, the teams traded goals, so Brescia entered the final eight minutes leading 9:8. Max Irving doubled the visitors’ advantage after 27 seconds of play in the fourth quarter. Posillipo was able to catch up with the favorites and equalize (10:10 and 11:11). Still, the hosts left the pool empty-handed, as Gianazza scored a winner in the 31st minute, Brescia’s Del Basso was the top scorer with three goals.
Trieste’s strong start was a key for its victory over De Akker Bologna. Goalkeeper Dejan Lazovic returned to Trieste’s goal after missing the previous match against Brescia. He and his teammates performed exceptionally well defensively in the first half, allowing Trieste to build a commanding 6:0 lead before De Akker scored their first goal. Although De Akker’s attack found its rhythm towards the end of the second quarter, it was too late for a comeback. Trieste ultimately secured a 13:10 victory. Three players accounted for more than half of the goals in the match, with Trieste’s Edoardo Manzi and Vuk Draskovic and De Akker’s Luongo scoring four times.
Pro Recco beat Florentia 18:3 with five goals from Francesco Di Fulvio.
Savona recorded the most convincing win of the day, demolishing Catania 24:3. Daniil Merkulov was the top scorer (4 goals).
Roma Vis Nova defeated Onda Forte (12:7) and remains equal in points with 4th-placed Trieste.
Iren Genova Quinto edged out Ortigia. After the first quarter, the teams were tied at 4:4. Quinto shined in the third period and built a 9:5 advantage before the final quarter. However, Ortigia didn’t give in. The Sicilians dominated the final quarter. They reduced the gap to one—8:9—with two minutes left in the game. Ortigia had a chance to equalize during the final attack, but Quinto held on to secure all three points.
An exciting game was played in Palermo, where Telimar and Olympic Roma battled to a draw. At halftime, Telimar led 8:5. However, Olympic started coming back and went ahead in the middle of the fourth quarter – 10:9. The visitors entered the final quarter with an 11:10 advantage, but Alfonso Pozo saved a point for Telimar converting a man-up in with 46 seconds left on the clock.
2024/25 Italian League, Round 20
Posillipo – Brescia 11:12 (3:3, 2:3, 3:3, 3:3)
Trieste – De Akker Bologna 13:10 (1:0, 6:2, 5:6, 1:2)
Savona – Catania 24:3 (5:3, 6:0, 8:0, 5:0)
Pro Recco – Florentia 18:3 (2:0, 4:2, 7:1, 5:0)
Iren Genova Quinto – Ortigia 9:8 (2:1, 2:3, 5:1, 0:3)
Telimar – Olympic Roma 11:11 (5:3, 3:2, 1:2, 2:4)
Roma Vis Nova – Onda Forte 12:6 (4:0, 4:2, 1:1, 3:3)
1. Pro Recco 20 – 58
2. Brescia 20 – 58
3. Savona 20 – 51
4. Treste 20 – 37
5. Roma Vis Nova 20 – 37
6. Posillipo 20 – 34
7. De Akker 20 – 31
8. Ortigia 20 – 23
9. Telimar 20 – 21
10. Quinto 20 – 19
11. Florentia 20 – 18
12. Olympic Roma 19 – 12
13. Onda Forte 20 – 5
14. Catania 20 – 4
