Just a week after winning the BENU Cup in Budapest, the national team of Croatia clinched a trophy at a preparation tournament in Italy.
The Croats won 1st place at the “Sardinia Cup”, a three-nation tournament, which took place in Cagliari, the capital of the island of Sardinia. Host Italy finished 2nd, and Russia in 3rd place. Croatia and Italy played their last official matches before the Olympic Games.
All results: Croatia – Russia 14:5, Italy – Croatia 12:15, Italy – Russia 16:9.
Standings: 1. Croatia 6, 2. Italy 3, 3. Russia 0.
2021 Sardinia Cup, Cagliari (July 9 – 11)
Croatia – Russia 14:5 (2:0, 5:1, 4:1, 3:3)
Croatia: Fatovic 3, Jokovic 3, Bukic 2, Vukicevic 2, Buslje 1, Loncar 1, Milos 1, Obradovic 1.
Russia: Stepanov 1, Merkulov 1, I. Vasilyev 1, Bychkov 1, Kholod 1.
Italy – Croatia 12:15 (3:4, 1:6, 6:2, 2:3)
Italy: Di Fulvio 3, Figlioli 3, Bodegas 2, Velotto 1, Renzuto Iodice 1, Aicardi 1, Dolce 1
Croatia: Jokovic 3, Bukic 2, Fatovic 2, Vukicevic 2, Obradovic 2, Loncar 1, Garcia 1, Buslje 1, Milos 1.
Italy – Russia 16:9 (4:1, 3:2, 5:2, 4:4)
Italy: Figlioli 4, Di Fulvio 3, Bodegas 3, Luongo 2, N.Presciutti 1, Renzuto Iodice 1, Figari 1, Dolce 1.
Russia: Kholod 3, Krug 2, E.Vasilyev 1, I. Vasilyev 1, Suchkov 1, Merkulov 1.
Croatia opened the tournament with a convincing win over Russia. At halftime, the Croats led 7:1. After the third quarter, it was 11:2, while the fourth period was balanced and Croatia recorded a 14:5 victory. Croatia beat Russia twice in a span of fewer than seven days. Last week, they beat Russia by 10 goals (21:11) at the BENU Cup.
Croatia and Italy faced off in the derby of the tournament, played on Day 2. Both teams had ups and downs. Croatia and Italy were neck and neck until 3:3. The visitors scored the last goal in the first quarter and entered the second period leading 4:3. Early in the second quarter, the Croats stretched the margin to three (6:3). Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice scored for 4:6, but the Croats replied with four goals and went to 10:4. The World champions managed to regroup themselves at the middle break and started coming back. By the end of the third quarter, Italy reduced the gap to two goals (10:12). In the fourth period, Italy came even closer (11:12 and 12:13). Still, Croatia closed the match with two goals (Bukic and Jokovic) for a 15:12 victory and secured the trophy.
Italy beat Russia with ease in the last game of the “Sardinia Cup”. After a 7:3 first half, the hosts built a 6-goal lead in the third period (10:4). Before the final eight minutes, the hosts earned a 7-goal advantage (12:5). Both sides scored four goals in the fourth quarter.
Croatia in Cagliari Photo by Andrea Chiaramida./federnuoto.it (click to enlarge)
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