The seventh-place play-off final of the men’s A1 series championship begins with a defeat for Water Polo Trieste. At the Piscina Comunale Olimpica, the team sponsored by Samer & Co. Shipping was overcome in game 1 by Telimar Palermo 10-9. Now the series moves to the “Bruno Bianchi”, race 2 is scheduled for Saturday 25 May (3.00 pm). “Although the result counts up to a certain point – explains coach Daniele Bettini – we still fought. Now let’s think about the home game, we will try to redeem ourselves.”
The news. A “lift and shoot” from Mezzarobba gives the alberds the lead (0-1). Hooper equalized on a penalty (1-1), Occhione reversed the situation: 2-1 at the end of the first period. Higher pace in the second half. The Sicilians score with Hooper (3-1) and Dasic shortens (3-2). Break for the hosts signed by Lo Dico (4-2) and Occhione with the extra man (5-2). The Trieste team came back behind with a brace from Mezzarobba (5-4), Oliva thwarted a “one-against-zero” counterattack and captain Petronio in superiority put the score on target to make it 5-5 at the long interval.
In the third period Caruso is between the posts in place of Oliva. Vitale scores (6-5), Buljubasic responds incoming (6-6), Hooper brings the Sicilians back ahead in a counter-break (7-6). Mezzarobba drops the personal poker: 7-7 with 8′ to go. At the start of the fourth quarter Lo Cascio (8-7), Hooper in superiority (9-7) and Hooper again (10-7) on a penalty allow Telimar to escape to +3 with 2’36” from the end. Trieste reacts and goes back with Marziali from the post in superiority (10-8) and Petronio on a penalty (10-9 with 1’30” from the siren). However, the comeback is not complete.
TELIMAR PALERMO – WATER POLO TRIESTE 10-9 (2-1; 3-4; 2-2; 3-2)
TELIMAR PALERMO: Jurisic, Marini, Vitale 1, Fabiano, Giorgetti, Hooper 5, Giliberti, Methodist, Lo Cascio 1, Occhione 2, Lo Dico 1, Woodhead, Nunez, Cananzi. All. Baldineti
WATER POLO TRIESTE: Oliva, Podgornik, Petronio 2, Buljubasic 1, Vrlic, Valentino, Dasic 1, Mezzarobba 4, Razzi, Marziali 1, Bini, Mladossich, Caruso. All. Bettini
Referees: Piano and Cavallini
NOTE: Podgornik (T) and Hooper (P) left due to fouls in the fourth period; in the second period Jurisic (P) saved a penalty from Mladossich; numerical superiority Telimar Palermo 3/7+ 2 penalties, Water Polo Trieste 3/7+ 2 penalties
