Savona. Evening of strong emotions in the Corso Colombo swimming pool, where Rari Nantes Savona and AN Brescia, as expected, gave life to a very intense semi-final match, which kept the approximately eight hundred spectators present with their gaze fixed on the pool until the last second of the game.
The red and white team came out on top, with a score of 6 to 5, in a match which, from the moment it broke the score, had always led but, as evidenced by the low score, had never had the certainty of winning until the siren sound.
The news. Organized support can be seen again in the corner, after so many years. Flyers and a banner to call as many people as possible to participate; banners, drums and chants of incitement mark the return of the Torcida Biancorossa.
Rari has to do without Campopiano, who is suffering from flu; Brescia has thirteen players on the scoresheet.
The stands soon fill up, as happened for the match against Spandau. There is great interest in this match: the two previous ones in the regular season, with a success for the Savona team with the minimum difference and a draw in Brescia, foreshadowed a great balance, which was confirmed in the water.
The players of the two teams enter the pool accompanied by the young water polo and synchronizers of Rari Nantes Savona.
Ready to go and the first ball in the center belongs to Brescia: Del Basso’s shot is saved by Nicosia, who immediately makes it clear that he is in the evening.
Change in front and Bruni throws the ball into the net from the center: Savona ahead after 45″ of play.
A great shot from Guidi hits the crossbar. Gitto commits a serious foul on Bruni; Durdic takes the shot, Tesanovic is attentive.
Very determined start for the Rari. Numerical superiority and this time Durdic hits the target: 2-0 after 3’36”.
Brescia’s first superiority sees Vavic reject Irving’s attempt and Durdic oppose Balzarini.
On the other hand, the Lombards’ first goal came with equal numbers: Irving scored it from position three after 5’24”.
But Rari Nantes persisted with orderly and decisive attacks, gaining another superiority which was finalized by Rizzo with a great goal from position one. 3 to 1 with 2″08″ left in the first half.
Erdelyi is sent off and Faraglia’s shot misses the target.
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At the end of the match, captain Valerio Rizzo stated: “This evening I particularly liked the psychological stability of the team. We came from the defeat in Berlin which was particularly painful. Playing immediately afterwards could have been an advantage or a disadvantage, but we were able to react in the best possible way, finding the strength to win this victory. An applause and a heartfelt thank you to the huge audience, the team needed this. Now we will prepare for race two in Brescia where we will start again from where we finished today.”
The next match for the red and whites coached by Alberto Angelini will be game two of the semi-final series, scheduled for Wednesday 8 May. The red and whites will be busy in the Mompiano swimming pool in Brescia at 8pm.
The scoreboard:
Bper Rari Nantes Savona – AN Brescia 6-5)
(Partials: 3-1, 2-1, 0-1, 1-2)
Bper Rari Nantes Savona: Nicosia, Rocchi, Patchaliev 1, Figlioli, Vavic, Rizzo 1, Cora, Bruni 2, Caldieri, Guidi 1, Durdic 1, Erdelyi, Da Rold, Bragantini. Coach Alberto Angelini.
AN Brescia: Tesanovic, Del Basso 3, Dolce, Faraglia, Lazic, Gianazza 1, Renzuto Iodice, Guerrato, Alesiani, Balzarini, Irving 1, Gitto, Messere Milani. Coach Alessandro Bovo.
Referees: Alessandro Severo (Roma) and Riccardo Carmignani (Messina). Fin Delegate: Emanuele Costa (Santa Margherita Ligure).
Note. No player left due to foul limit. Numerical superiorities: Savona 3 out of 9, Brescia 2 out of 9.
Angelini (Savona) is booked at 3’45” of the third period. Bovo (Brescia) sent off at the end of the fourth half.
