Hard-fought but deserved victory. Waterpolo Bari wins 12 to 10 on penalties (regular time ended at 8 to 8) the first match of the playoff final against Lions Napoli and is now one step away from Serie A. The boys coached by Paolo Baiardini managed to beat effort but with merit the opponents in the Santa Maria Capua Vetere swimming pool, where Waterpolo plays their home matches due to the unavailability of the Swimming Stadium, and tomorrow Tuesday 4 June, they will have in Avezzano (where the Neapolitans play their home matches) the possibility of conquering Serie A, with the first match ball of the series available.
Last Saturday’s match was immediately uphill, with the opponents starting very strong, able to move ahead 3-1 and keep the red and whites at a distance for two fractions, until the change of ends. Then, the desire and strength of captain Gigi Foglio and his teammates emerged and made the difference. In the third quarter the reaction and the attack, thanks to a partial of 4 to 2. In the wake of the comeback, Baiardini’s boys tried to take the game into their own in the last quarter, but twice in the lead they had to suffer the return of the Neapolitan team. Regulation time ended 8-8: goals from Foglio, Sifanno, Davide Lamacchia and Moretti then made the difference in the penalties, together with Di Modugno’s coolness between the posts.
“The boys managed to keep their nerve despite there being negative episodes – explains Baiardini at the end of the race – due to inexperience and emotionality. Thanks to these matches, however, the ability to manage these situations is refined. We are therefore preparing ourselves with a little more confidence for what will certainly be a sporting battle. From tomorrow we will be on video to see where we can improve. The series is not over and we cannot afford lapses in concentration.”
And tomorrow in Avezzano the team will try to give the right answers to close the promotion discussion, otherwise we will go to the end, Saturday 8 June, again in Santa Maria Capua Vetere.
