The finalists of the previous World Championships, held in Doha last year, Italy and Croatia, faced off in a friendly match in Rome. The game ended with the same score as the one in Doha, with Croatia triumphing in a penalty shootout, winning 15:13.
The visitors took an early lead, going ahead 1:0 and later 2:1. However, the Settebello, led by Giacomo Cannella, managed to turn the score around and took a three-goal lead midway through the second period, 6:3. Cannella scored four of Italy’s first six goals. Cannella, one of Recco’s leaders, played in his hometown, having been born in Rome 28 years ago.
The Croats narrowed the deficit by the middle break, trailing 5:6. Italy rebuilt a three-goal advantage in the third period, leading 8:5 and then 9:6. However, Croatia caught up again, and reduced the gap to one (9:10) before the final quarter. Loren Fatovic opened the fourth period with two quick goals, putting Croatia ahead for the first time in the second half at 11:10. Italy quickly responded, with Condemi leveling the score before Di Fulvio gave Italy a 12:11 lead. In the 31st minute, Fatovic scored again to equalize, setting the final score of regular time at 12:12.
Croatia was the better team in the penalty shootout. The visitors’ goalkeeper Toni Popadic posted two saves in a shootout.
This weekend, the two teams will meet again. They continue their preparations for the World Championships in Singapore together. Croatia will host Italy in a friendly match in Sibenik.
Italy – Croatia 13:15 (3:2, 3:3, 4:4, 2:3, PSO 1:3)
Italy: Cannella 4, Condemi 2,Di Fulvio 1, Iocchi Gratta 1, Bruni 1, Di Somma 1, Velotto 1, Cassia 1.
Croatia:Fatovic 3, Butic 3, Loncar 2, Brubnjak 1, Zuvela 1, Bukic 1, Lazic 1.
Penalty shootout- Italy: Iocchi Gratta, Croatia: Butic, Fatovic, Lazic
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