The first part of the regular season in the Italian League has been almost completed.
The matches of the sixth, last round have been played today. But one game is still on hold. The encounter between Roma and Trieste (Group B, Round 1) has been postponed two times because of the coronavirus cases at the clubs.
Eight teams will continue the league in the groups for the title, while five clubs will play in the relegation group.
The games Posillipo – Savona, and Telimar – Lazio were the highlights of the day. Posillipo defeated Savona 8:7 after a hard battle and kept 1st place in Group B. Telimar blew away Lazio and secured a spot among the best eight teams.
The teams that will continue the league in the groups for the title are Pro Recco, Salerno, Brescia, Ortigia, Telimar, Posillipo, Savona. They will be joined by Trieste or Roma.
The calendar of the second part of the regular season hasn’t been determined yet. Still, it is most likely that it will start in late February, after the Olympic qualifications in Rotterdam. Italy has already qualified for the Olympic Games, but many of the foreigners in Italian League will play at the tournament in Rotterdam.
2020/21 Italian League, Day 6
Group A
Salerno – Pro Recco 10:15 (1:2, 2:5,2:4, 5:4)
Salerno: M. Luongo 5, Esposito 2, Parilli 2, Elez 1.
Pro Recco: Di Fulvio 6, Aicardi 4, S. Luongo 2, Figlioli 1, Younger 1, Mangiante 1.
Standings: 1. Pro Recco 12 pts (4 games), 2. Salerno 3 (4), 3. Quinto 3 (4).
Head to head: Salerno – Quinto 11:7, Quinto – Salerno 10:7.
Group B
Brescia – Trieste 19:7 (4:1, 5:2, 3:3, 7:1)
Brescia: Vlachopoulos 3, Di Somma 3, Nikolaidis 3, Jokovic 2, Presciutti 2, Lazic 2, Dolce 2, Canella 1, Renzuto Iodice 1.
Trieste: Petronio 3, Mezzarobba 2, Buljubasic 1, Bini 1.
Standings: 1. Brescia 12 (4), 2. Trieste 3 (3), 3. Roma 0 (3).
Group C
Telimar – Lazio 15:5 (4:1, 5:1, 4:2, 2:1)
Telimar Palermo: Damonte 8, Del Basso 2, F. Lo Cascio 2, D. Occhione 1, Vlahovic1, Migliaccio 1.
Lazio: Caponero 3, Colosimo 1, Antonucci 1.
Standings: 1. Ortigia 9 (4), 2. Telimar 6 (4), 3. Lazio 3 (4).
Group D
Posillipo – Savona 8:7 (1:2, 4:2, 0:2, 3:1)
Posillipo: G. Di Martire 3, Mattiello 1, Parrella 1, SIlvestri 1, Baraldi 1, Saccoia 1.
Savona: Campopiano 3, Rizzo3, Vuskovic 1.
Florentia – Metanopoli 8:9 (2:1, 1:5, 3:2, 2:1)
Florentia: Benvenuti 4, Carnsecchi 1, Ganic 1, Astiarta 1, Di Fulvio 1.
Metanopoli: A. Brambilla 4, Lanzoni 2, Ravina 1, G. Bianco 1, Busilacchi 1.
Standings: 1. Posillipo 16 (6), 2.Savona 12 (6), 3. Metanopoli 7 (6),4. Florentia 0 (6).
Pro Recco easily defeated Salerno in the match, which didn’t affect the rankings in this group. Several Recco’s foreigners missed the game – captain Ivovic, goalkeeper Bijac (they are preparing for the Olympic qualifications), and Mandic (recovering from coronavirus). But, Matteo Aicardi returned to the pool. The experienced center-forward underwent shoulder surgery four months ago. He finally recovered and scored four goals today.
Brescia continued its winning streak, as well as Pro Recco. Alessandro Bovo’s team showed no mercy to Trieste, and mathematically secured 1st position in Group B. Brescia led 9:3 at halftime. The third quarter was balanced (3:3), but Brescia demolished the visiting side in the final period.
Telimar left no chance to Lazio in the decisive game in the battle for 2nd place in Group C. In the 3rd round, Lazio defeated Telimar 8:7. But, today, the Palermo – based side killed all the suspense quickly and avoided a thrilling finish. Telimar, led by Luca Damonte (8 goals), jumped to a 9:2 lead by halftime, and there was no way back for Lazio.
Posillipo needed a point in today’s derby against Savona to remain atop of Group D. After many twists and turns, Posillipo took all three points and finished the first phase of the league unbeaten.
Savona opened the match with a 2:0 lead. In the middle of the second quarter, Savona still had a 2-goal advantage (3:1), but the Naples-based scored three goals in a row for a 5:3 lead. However, Savona responded with a 3:0 series. The visitors kept Posillipo goalless for almost a quarter and a half, and before the last break, earned a 6:5 advantage. Posillipo took control in the final eight minutes. The hosts opened the fourth quarter with two quick goals for 7:6. Rizzo equalized from an extra in the 28th minute, but Saccoia replied less than a minute later in the same manner. He converted a man-up to set the final score (8:7). Savona fought hard until the end. The visitors had a chance to equalize in their last possession. But Posillipo’s 17-year-old goalie Spinelli posted two excellent saves in the last ten seconds, and the home team kept the win.
Metanopoli beat Florentia to confirm 3rd place in Group D.
The second phase of the regular season
Groups for the title
Group E: Pro Recco (A1), Posillipo (D1), B2, Telimar (C2).
Group F: Brescia (B1), Ortigia (C1), Salerno (A2), Savona (D2).
Group G (relegation group): Iren Quinto (A3), B3, Lazio (C3), Metanopoli (D3), Florentia (D4).
