Pro Recco, the reigning European champions, secured 35th and 10 of last 11 years Italian league title in a captivating final series. Pro Recco emerged victorious in a low-scoring second match, cementing dominance in Italian water polo.
Final – Italian waterpolo league 2022/23
Brescia – Pro Recco 4-6 (0-3, 1-2, 2-1, 1-0)
Brescia: Di Somma 1, Presciutti 1, Luongo 1, Renzuto Iodice 1.
Pro Recco: Younger 3, Zalanki 1, Hallock 1, Echenique 1.
The match kicked off with Pro Recco quickly asserting dominance, as they scored three goals in the opening period. Two of these goals were netted by the talented Younger, showcasing impressive scoring ability. Hallock also contributed to the early lead, finding the back of the net to give Pro Recco a comfortable 0-3 advantage. In second period, Pro Recco extending lead to 0-4 with yet another well-executed Younger is goal. Brescia struggled to find their rhythm but managed to break through Pro Recco’s defense in the 12th minute when Presciutti scored their first goal of the match, reducing the deficit to 1-4. However, Pro Recco swiftly responded as Echenique found the target, ending the period with a commanding 1-5 lead in favor of Pro Recco.
Determined to make a comeback, Brescia fought back fiercely in the third period. Luongo and Renzuto Iodice displayed goal-scoring prowess for 3-6. With the match nearing its conclusion, both teams battled for control in the final period. Brescia’s Di Somma scored a goal, narrowing the gap to 4-6. Pro Recco remained resolute in defense, denying any further opportunities for Brescia. Despite their valiant efforts, Brescia couldn’t bridge the gap, and the match concluded with a final score of 4-6 in favor of Pro Recco.
Third place
Telimar – Ortigia 6-14 (3–3, 1–3, 1–4, 1-4)
Telimar: Pericas Eixarch 2, Hooper 1, Irving 1, Occhione 1, Del Basso 1.
Ortigia: Ferrero 4, Condemi 3, Vidovic 2, Rossi 1, Napolitano 1, Di Luciano 1, Cassia 1, Carnesecchi 1.
Ortigia and Telimar engaged in a gripping match, with both teams scoring three goals in the first quarter for 3-3. Ortigia then surged ahead in the second period, building a 3-6 lead. However, Telimar managed to narrow the gap to 4-6 by halftime. In the subsequent periods, Ortigia dominated, extending advantage and securing a comprehensive 6-14 victory.
Fifth place
Trieste – Savona 11-9 (2–4, 1–1, 4–2, 4-2)
Trieste: Buljubasic 4, Inaba 2, Petronio 2, Bini 1, Razzi 1, Valentino 1.
Savona: Durdic 4, Patchaliev 2, Guidi 1, Bruni 1, Campopiano 1.
Savona took an early lead in the first period in a thrilling match, scoring four goals to Trieste’s two, resulting in a 2-4 advantage for the visitors. The intensity continued in the second period, with both teams finding the back of the net once, extending Savona’s lead to 3-5. However, Trieste displayed resilience in the third period, staging a remarkable comeback. They netted four goals while conceding only two, leveling the score at a thrilling 7-7. As the clock ticked down in the final eight minutes, the hosts, Trieste, mounted a fierce offensive, propelling themselves to a commanding 10-7 lead. Nonetheless, Savona refused to surrender, narrowing the gap to 11-9 by the end of the game.
Seventh place
Posillipo – Quinto 9-5 (0–1, 4–1, 2–1, 3-2)
Posillipo: Mattiello 2, Stevenson 2, Briganti 2, Aiello 1, Iodice 1, Abramson 1.
Quinto: Mijuskovic 3, Figari 1, Fracas 1.
In an exhilarating water polo match, Posillipo, playing on home turf, demonstrated prowess by overcoming an early deficit to secure a memorable victory. Quinto initially took the lead in the 9th minute. However, Posillipo staged a remarkable comeback, eventually establishing a 4-2 advantage by the end of the second period. Undeterred by their opponent’s lead, the hosts unleashed an impressive display of skill and determination in the third period. Rallying together, Posillipo exhibited exceptional teamwork, which allowed them to mount a spectacular growth advantage, pulling ahead with a score of 6-4. As the match approached its conclusion, the intensity heightened. With the clock ticking, Posillipo maintained their focus and composure, securing triumph. In the last eight minutes, they showcased their unwavering resolve, ultimately emerging victorious.
Playout
Salerno – Anzio 11-10 (2–5, 3–1, 2–2, 4-2)
Salerno: Barroso Macarro 4, Bertoli 3, Gallo 2, Tomasic 1, Esposito 1.
Anzio: Goreta 3, Susak 2, Pelicaric 2, Lapenna 2, Caponero 1.
Anzio and Salerno engaged in a fierce battle in a thrilling water polo match that captivated spectators. The first period witnessed Anzio taking an early advantage, leading 2-5. However, Salerno retaliated in the second period, displaying resilience by scoring three goals and narrowing the gap to 5-6. As tensions rose, both teams exhibited exceptional skill and determination in the third period, with each side scoring two goals, maintaining the intensity of the match. However, it was the final eight minutes that decided the outcome. Anzio seized the opportunity, launching a relentless assault and netting four crucial goals. Their equally impressive defense limited Salerno to just two goals during this critical phase.
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