Pro Recco’s numerical superiority and determination make the difference, but Ortigia shows grit and commitment despite the defeat
As predicted, match 1 of the semi-final will be won by Pro Recco who, especially in the second and third half, put distance between themselves and Ortigia. Beyond the different value and level of experience between the two teams, what decided this match was above all a fundamental one, namely numerical superiority.
In fact, the Recchelini team didn’t make a single mistake in the first three halves, while with the men from Piccardo putting up a good performance. Ortigia starts off very focused and attentive in defence, where they hold up well and manage to find the right positioning, especially when there is a numerical parity. The first goal of the match was scored by the green and whites, with Cassia able to complete the first superiority of the match. The Recchelini responded with goals, both with the extra man, from Zalanki and former Ciccio Condemi. Piccardo’s team goes in search of an equalizer, but has some difficulty in finding the right passing lines in the center, also due to the skill of the Ligurian defense. Between the end of the first half and the middle of the second half, Ortigia wastes two numerical superiorities, while the hosts are ruthless and, with a percentage of 100%, get to +3 with Presciutti and Ciccio Condemi. The green and whites are unable to penetrate Recco’s defense, who extends with Di Fulvio, this time with even men.
Ortigia reacts with pride and finds the goal with Ferrero, but shortly after it is Zalanki, still in superiority, who scores the 6-2 mid-match. In the third half, Recco continues to be impeccable in the extra man, but Ortigia manages to get within 3 with goals from Cupido and Ferrero (penalty). At that point, Sukno’s men built a 3-0 run that stopped the score at 10-4 before the last 8 minutes. In the fourth half, with the victory now within their grasp, Recco begins to fail in their superiorities (scoring only one out of 5) but still manages to score with Iocchi Gratta and Zalanki, while Ortigia closes the scoring with Cassia. It ends 12-5 for Recco. Race 2 in Syracuse in a week.
Stefano Piccardo:”We held on until 7-4, as long as we could.”
At the end of the match, coach Stefano Piccardo analyzes the performance of his players: “I’m happy with how the team played and how they approached the match. We carried out the different phases well, playing as openly as possible. It seems strange to say this after a 12-5 defeat, but it’s true, because today there was a Recco in the water who was very focused on the goal and knew very well what he had to do. We held on until 7-4, as long as it was possible. Today we only did badly in numerical inferiority, where in the first three halves we took 8 out of 8, but this is also due to the fact that they force you to play at a frenetic pace and, when you have to play from the back, in the end you make mistakes. On their extra man, we made two trivial errors and conceded two avoidable goals. But, I repeat, beyond this, we played a good match. I’m happy with the attitude shown by the boys in the water. Now we’ll start thinking about game 2, knowing that even at home we’ll have to try to play an open game against the world champion team and then see what happens. This is a play-off and we want to enjoy it until the end.”
Sebastiano Di Luciano: “there will be game 2 and we will try to play for it, chasing the dream of taking them to game 3”
The attacker also speaks after the match Sebastiano Di Luciano: “Today we suffered a bit from their physicality, their hands-on play, as well as having done badly in the man-less phase, but with equal numbers we played it out. Unfortunately against opponents like this, the values come out in the end. Certainly, however, we had a different approach compared to the last outing in Bologna, although it must be said that that match counted for nothing and there could have been a drop in concentration, although it was still not justifiable. Today we helped each other as much as possible, we played and, in my opinion, the result is a bit of a lie, excessive compared to what we saw in the water, because it’s true that they made one more great man and we, consequently , one less man to see again, but for some stretches and in some phases we played a good game. Then, it must be said that they were excited, because after the defeat against Brescia they wanted to prove that they were always the strongest. We were a little unlucky to meet them now. In any case, now there will be Game 2 and we will try to play for it, chasing the dream of taking them to Game 3, even if it will be difficult.”
