In Rotterdam the first day of the qualifiers with the debut of coach Mirarchi: the Italians did not disfigure against the world champions, Bianconi scored a hat-trick. Australia is on Saturday
Making your debut against the world champion team, the worst way to break the ice. Yet Maurizio Mirarchi, in his first as coach, sees glimpses of the true Setterosa: “It was a very intense match and we started out a little tense, then little by little we loosened up, even if in the end a bit of tiredness weighed in. I think we are on the right path, we must continue like this”, says the coach after the 15-11 with which Greece won the opening match in the World Cup qualifiers in Rotterdam. Also trailing by four goals in the third half, until 10-6, Italy reacts in the final part and even gets to -1 at 11-10 and 12-11, but the last minutes are all for the holders of the trophy: the two exploits of Santa and that of Eleftheria Plevritou set the score. Three goals for the veteran Bianconi, absolute debut for Klatowsky (nice brace), Cabona and Malluzzo rested who are also on their first adventure in blue. Halfway through the third quarter, Sesena takes Condorelli’s place between the posts. Greece had also beaten us in the final for bronze in the European Championship in Madeira (with a clear 15-8), on 5 February. Tomorrow the challenge against Australia, silver medalist at the Paris Games, will be more physically demanding.
the formula
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Eight teams divided into two groups, the top two in each group will qualify for the finals on 22-26 July in Sydney where Settebello will also be present, but play will continue until Wednesday 6th to define the grid. Third and fourth teams join another group that offers a fifth pass to the Final Eight (two others were awarded by the Second Division played in Malta, to Russia and China, while Australia is qualified by right as the host country). All matches are streamed live on the paid section of the World Aquatics website.
GREECE: Stamatopoulou, E. Plevritou 3, Koureta 1, Santa 3, Giannopoulou, Xenaki 1 pen., Siouti 2, Patra 2 (1 pen.), Krassa, V. Plevritou 1, Tornarou, Myriokefalitaki 2, Kotsioni, Fouraki. All. Pavlidis. ITALY: Condorelli, C. Tabani 1, Leone, Klatowski 2, Gant, L. Cergol, Giustini, Bianconi 3, Bettini 1, Ranalli 2 (1 penalty), A. Cocchiere 1, Gagliardi 1, Sesena, Papi. All. M. Mirarchi. REFEREES: Sajben (Ung) and Moller (Arg). NOTES: top number Greece 11 (5 goals), Italy 12 (5). Exit 3 rows Ranalli, Siouti, Gant and Giustini in the 3rd half, Patra and Bianconi in the 4th half.
The groups: USA, Hungary, Japan, Spain (A); Holland, Australia, Italy, Greece (B).
Friday 1: USA-Hungary 12-8, Spain-Japan 26-10, Netherlands-Australia 14-8, Greece-Italy 15-11.
Group A: USA, Spain 3; Hungary, Japan 0.
Group B: Netherlands, Greece 3; Italy, Australia 0.
Saturday 2: Hungary-Japan (14), Spain-USA (15.45), Greece-Holland (18.30), Australia-Italy (20.15).
Sunday 3: USA-Japan (14), Hungary-Spain (15.45), Italy-Holland (18.30), Greece-Australia (20.15).
La Gazzetta dello Sport
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