For the first time in its history, De Akker Bologna achieved a place in Europe in water polo by winning the second leg play-off semi-final 8-7 against Pallanuoto Trieste. Now fifth or sixth place in the championship will be fought with Quinto, but participation in a European cup is mathematical for both. In front of almost 400 spectators, a tense, nervous match, with the teams unable to get on target for almost seven minutes even though Trieste hit the woodwork four times. First guest goal with captain Petronio 1.08 from the end of the first half. On the counterattack, Grossi, face to face with Oliva, misses the lob at the siren of the first half.
Second half tense, like the first, and teams with wet powders. Oliva and Santini on top with two great saves each, until the equalizer by Camilleri at 5.32 in superiority. After some errors from Trieste, Alfonso Pozo gave De Akker the first lead at 3.49 with a nice turn from the center mark. At 2.29 Bini equalizes in superiority with a nice angled conclusion. On the following play, a penalty won by Alfonso Pozo and scored by Luongo. On yet another Trieste crossbar, Mistrangelo asks for a time out to play the last minute as best as possible but Oliva makes two splendid saves, followed by a great save from Santini which allows Bologna to lead 3-2 at half-time.
The third half opens with De Freitas’ beautiful long-range goal followed immediately by Dasic who brings Trieste back to within one. At 5.37 Alfonso Pozo was sent off for a foul in the center of the area and a subsequent penalty for Trieste who equalized with Dadic. Lots of confusion until Grossi’s long-range shot with 1.38 to go for 5-4 Bologna. 20″ from the end Milakovic is violently hit in the face and loses blood profusely but the referees don’t even stop the action until after a loud shout from the entire pool. Thus the third quarter ends 5-4, not without tensions such as the expulsion for Bologna of the owner Vecchi and of the DS Deserti and of the assistant coach of Trieste Brazzatti. 5.38 from the end double red to Camilleri and Dasic for mutual misconduct while a few seconds later Luongo makes it 6-4 from afar. At half-time, on a shot from Mezzarobba, Santini in an attempt to save takes the ball into his own goal but on the turnaround in front it is still Stefano Luongo’s experience with a shot from outside that brings Bologna back to plus two. With 2.50 to go the crowd goes crazy for Bologna’s eighth goal scored by Milakovic from afar and the swimming pool becomes bedlam. Trieste doesn’t give up and first with Guitti, then with Bini it reaches 8-7 but only 28″ remain and Milakovic lets the time pass with the ball in hand for the great celebration of all Bolognese water polo.
“It was an exceptional result after a very tough match – said owner Vecchi at the end – The boys exceeded expectations. The maximum result had already been achieved with the play-offs. With Europe we have achieved something incredible.” “We played well, we kept our heads – said Federico Mistrangelo – With Alfonso Pozo’s exit it was even tougher, not to mention the brutal fouls we suffered. But the boys really gave their all and despite wanting to get even higher by playing with Quinto, I really think the team was wonderful.” “We have the last job to close the season – said the striker, Stefano Luongo. This was a nervous, charged match, but it was good for that. The public responded greatly and we were happy to have been able to make them happy.”
Mattia Fogacci
De Akker press office Bologna
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