In the semi-final 7-4 in Zagreb, the Azzurri finished with 14% in attack and will play for the continental bronze. Campaign: “Poor shooting quality”
Four goals in 32 minutes, too little to hope to beat Spain. In Zagreb, in the gray semi-final of the European water polo championship, the Settebello crashed and had to postpone the possibility of achieving Olympic qualification (four places available) to the World Championships in Doha – from 2 to 18 February 2024. In addition to France, Hungary, Greece, the USA, Australia, South Africa (waiting for officialisation) and Japan already have a place in Paris 2024. “We played very well in defence, apart from a truly great lack of attention, but the terrible shooting quality was fatal. It’s a shame, because in attack we produced a lot” observes Sandro Campagna to the Rai microphones after the 7-4 that Martin’s team wins to the last act for the gold. The Italian percentage of achievement, in fact, speaks for itself: 14% which until halfway through the match was actually 6%.
MONOLOGUE
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There is no need to go back to the Barcelona ’92 Games to describe all the excitement of this classic, between two teams that are similar. To stay in very recent history, in 2022 in Budapest it was the challenge for the world gold medal lost on penalties by the Azzurri (15-14), in Strasbourg the semi-final of the World League (9-8 for Italy, then winner of the title) , the continental final won by the Spaniards in Split (7-6), then in 2023 in Los Angeles the World Cup final (10-4 for Spain). Italy – Damonte and Cannella again in the stands – fresh from the brilliant quarter against Montenegro (14-8) never manage to take the lead, between many wrong passes, poor aim in front of the area (too many hesitations), little intensity and The opponents’ careful control of Di Somma and Di Fulvio, two of our aces. After three quarters we are at 5-1 with the sensational saves of Aguirre (but Del Lungo also does well), the Spaniards begin to play with the clock, in the last 8′ there is a shock that brings us to -2 (6 -4), but it is too late. And the superior goal of the evergreen Perrone, born in 1986, establishes the result.
TRUST
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In the first phase of this European Championship, the Spaniards lost on penalties to Croatia (14-12) and then beat Montenegro (14-12) and France (9-6), earning the comfortable quarter-finals with Romania (24-7) . On Tuesday we are left with the third place finish against the loser of Croatia-Hungary. Campagna says: “Now we want to finish this adventure well, before throwing ourselves headlong into the World Cup. The positive side of… not qualifying is that under stress we work better and can grow even more.” In the European championships Settebello won three golds, two silvers and six bronzes.
SPAIN-ITALY 7-4 (2-1, 2-0, 1-0, 2-3)
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Spagna: Aguirre, Munarriz 1, Pomegranates 2 (1 rig.), Sanahuja, Of Bull, Larumbe, Biel, Cabanas, Tahull, Perrone 2, Mallarach Guell 1, Busts 1, Lorrio. All. D. Martin. Italy: Del Lungo, F. Di Fulvio, F.Condemi 2, Marziali, A. Fondelli, Velotto 1, Renzuto, G. Echenique, N. Presciutti, Bruni, E. Di Somma 1 rig., Dolce, Nicosia. All. Campaign. Referees: Margeta (Slow) and Stavridis (Grey). Note: sup. num. Spain 12 (4 goals), Italy 12 (3). Usc. 3 f. Busts 27’06”. At 15’40” Del Lungo for a rigor of Munarriz.
Quarters: Hungary-Serbia 15-14 pens. (10-10), Spain-Romania 24-7, Croatia-Greece 13-8, Italy-Montenegro 14-8.
Semifinals: Spain-Italy 7-4, Croatia-Hungary (6.30pm).
Tuesday 16th: finals 3rd place (4.30pm), 1st place (8.15pm).
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2024-01-14 17:33:56
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