The newest wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the Italian water polo.
The League has continued this weekend, but only two of seven games have been played. Many players have tested positive in the last few days. Therefore, five games have been postponed. According to the Italian Swimming Federation’s health protocol, a team has the right to ask for a postponement if four players test positive.
One of the two played games was a derby of the round. Ortigia hosted Pro Recco today. The European champion stormed past the Sicilians – 13:3.
Trieste recorded a 13:7 win over Anzio yesterday.
2021/22 Italian League, Day 13
Ortigia – Pro Recco 3:13 (2:5, 0:3, 0:3, 1:2)
Ortigia: Klikovac 1, Gallo 1, Vidovic 1.
Pro Recco: Zalanki 4, Di Fulvio 3, Cannella 2, N.Presciutti 1, Aicardi 1, Hallock 1, Younger 1.
Anzio – Trieste 9:13 (2:3, 1:2, 1:4, 5:4)
Anzio Waterpolis: Casasola 2, Siani 1, Gandini 1, Di Rocco 1, Giorgetti 1, Grossi 1, Cunko 1, Lapenna 1.
Pallanuoto Trieste: Buljubasic 3, Mladossich 3, Bego 2, Razzi 2, M.Vrlic 1, Inaba 1, Bini 1.
Savona – Quinto postponed
Lazio – Salerno postponed
Metanopoli Milano – Roma postponed
Posillipo – Brescia postponed
Catania – Telimar postponed
Both teams were incomplete in the derby in Syracuse. Ortigia played without experienced goalkeeper Stefano Tempesti. Pro Recco had 12 players on the roster – Figlioli, Echenique, Loncar and Bertoli were out of the team.
Pro Recco was too strong for the hosts. The European champion dictated the pace from the beginning. In the 5th minute, Ortigia scored its second goal for 2:3. Shortly after, the game turned into a one-sided contest. Recco’s defense, commanded by Marco Del Lungo, was superb. The visitors produced a 10:0 series and jumped to a 13:2 lead (27th minute). The hosts scored a consolation goal in the 30th minute for the final score – 3:13.
The derby was the last test for both teams before new challenges on the European scene. On Wednesday, Recco will play against Jug in Dubrovnik in the Champions League, while Ortigia will face Telimar Palermo in the 1st leg of the LEN Euro Cup semifinals.
The other Italian club in the Champions League, Brescia, had problems with coronavirus. Four key players have tested positive for Covid – Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice, Christian Presciutti, Edoardo Di Somma and Niccolo Gitto. It’s questionable if the four will play against Jadran Split on Tuesday.
Trieste controlled the match against Anzio. The visitors earned an early 3:0 lead. Anzio came close a few times, but the home side didn’t equalize. Early in the fourth quarter, Trieste built an 11:4 lead. Anzio reduced the gap in the remaining time.
1. Pro Recco 11 – 33
2. Brescia 11 – 30
3. Trieste 13 – 29
4. Savona 12 – 27
5. Telimar 12 – 25
6. Ortigia 12 – 25
7. Salerno 10 – 15
8. Anzio 13 – 11
9. Posillipo 12 – 10
10. Quinto 10 – 9
11. Milano 11 – 9
12. Catania 11 – 7
13. Roma 12 – 7
14. Lazio 12 – 1
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