Dynamo Uralochka have a three goal advantage to take back to Russia for the second leg tie against Plebiscito Padova after securing a 11-8 victory this evening. While the tie is far from over, those three goals today could prove all important before the two teams lock horns again in Zlatoust, next Saturday.
The game was initially rearranged due to COVID protocols in Italy preventing the Russian club from entering the country. It was agreed that the two teams would play a double header in Moscow over two days, however, this was then subsequently scrapped. The second leg is on the 26th February, along with the other three ties (Dunaujvaros vs Olympiacos, UVSE vs Kinef Kirishi and Sabadell vs Ethnikos).
Maria Bersneva was outstanding in the match, scoring four goals for her side. Anastasia Panfilova was typically reliable (netting twice), and Elizaveta Zaplatina, who is one of the in form players in Russian water polo, also chipped in with two goals, as did Julia Lapteva.
It is worth mentioning that Uralochka’s keeper, Evgeniia Golovina, saved two penalties from Padova. She is fast turning into one of Europe’s finest shot stoppers. Perhaps its just the Italians that she likes to save penalties from – she incidentally saved three penalties against Italy in the World League a few months ago.
Everything that went well for Plebiscito came from the Italian international, Laura Barzon, who herself netted three. Alessia Casson was on the scoresheet twice. Padova’s Russian, Maria Borisova, was unusually quiet.
Plebiscito Padova 8-11 Dynamo Uralochka (0-3, 4-3, 1-3, 3-2)
Padova: L. Teani, L. Barzon 3, M. Gottardo, M. Borisova 1, E. Queirolo, A. Casson 2, A. Millo, S. Dario 1, E. Armit 1, C. Meggiato, S. Centanni, L. Tognon, C. Giacon
Uralochka: P. Zabalueva, A. Panfilova 2, E. Zaplatina 2, A. Bogdanova, N. Vorontsova 1, P. Popova, E. Zelentsova, Y. Lapteva 2, R. Galimzianova, E. Golubeva, V. Kolkova, M. Bersneva 4, E. Golovina
Four goals from Maria Bersneva proved very decisive in today’s contest for Uralochka, as they produced a decent display against Plebiscito Padova.
Dimitrii Andreev’s side started the better, with a 3-0 lead (Bersneva, Panfilova and Zaplatina) after the first quarter – a margin that ultimately puts the Russian side in the driving seat ahead of the second leg.
At one point the competitiveness of the game looked to be hanging by a thread, as Dynamo took a 6-1 lead thanks to more goals from Maria Bersneva, Yulia Lapteva and Anastasiia Panfilova, but a late spree of Padova goals in the second period, two from Alessia Casson and a penalty from Laura Barzon, put the Italians right back in the mix.
However, the Russians held their composure in the third and reinstated a margin of three thanks to more finishes from Elizaveta Zaplatina, Maria Bersneva and a first goal for Natalia Vorontsova.
Padova did push hard in the last thanks to contributions from Laura Barzon, Sara Dario and the Australian international, Elle Armit, and it looked like the deficit to overturn would just be two.
But a goal 41 seconds from time from who other than Maria Bersneva will really frustrate Stefano Posterivo, as that goal could be all important when his side travels to Russia on Saturday.
Quarter Final First Leg Results
Olympiacos Piraeus 14-9 Dunaujvaros
Plebiscito Padova 8-11 Dynamo Uralockha
Kinef Kirishi 8-7 UVSE
Ethnikos Piraeus 8-13 Astralpool Sabadell
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