In Rotterdam, in the World Cup qualifiers, the Italians come back from -5: it ends 15-14 after 10-10 in regulation time. Now Holland
Against world champion Greece there was a halfway comeback, against Olympic silver medalist Australia there was a full comeback with a special flavour: it was the first victory as coach for Maurizio Mirarchi. On the second day of the World Cup qualifiers, in Rotterdam, the Italians won 15-14 after 10-10 in the 32nd minute, amidst a thousand emotions. Maybe it won’t be enough to get through to the Final Eight at this early stage, but the signs are comforting, starting with character. “It was a good match, after a difficult start we managed to come back. The girls were commendable also because they were facing very physically strong opponents. These are the matches we need to grow” observes the coach. Italy found themselves five goals down at half-time (7-2), struggled to find gaps against the solid Australian defense, but in the last two quarters they transformed to grab the equalizer which postponed the epilogue to shots from five meters, thanks to Giustini. Errors by Abby Andrews and the debutant Cabona, then the decisive one is by Halligan who lets himself be hypnotized by Sesena (a superlative performance), before Bettini sets the score. Cergol and Malluzzo at rest. Last match of the first phase on Sunday at 6.30pm, against the hosts and European champions Holland.
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.
ITALY-AUSTRALIA 15-14 pen.
ITALY: Sesena, C. Tabani 1, Leone 1, Klatowski 1, Gant, Cabona, Giustini 2, Bianconi, Bettini 2, Ranalli 1, A. Cocchiere 1, Gagliardi 1, Condorelli, Papi. All. M. Mirarchi. AUSTRALIA: Palm, Ballesty, Fasala, Halligan 1, Green, A. Andrews 2, C. Andrews 2, Hearn 1, Pedley, Williams 2, Kearns 1, Jackovich, Longman, Pamp 1. All. Rippon. REFEREES: Sajben (Ung) and Nishihara (Jpn). NOTES: regulation time 10-10. Top number Italy 11 (5 goals), Australia 12 (3). Penalty sequence: Halligan goal, Bettini goal; A. Andrews irregular execution, Giustini goals; Fasala goal, Klatowski goal; Ballesty goal, Cabona saved; Williams goal, C. Tabani goal; Halligan saved, Bettini goals.
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.
Saturday 2: Hungary-Japan 16-12, Spain-USA 17-15 pen. (12-12), Holland-Greece 12-8, Italy-Australia 15-14 pen. (10-10).
Group A: Spain 5; Use 4; Hungary 3; Japan 0.
Group B: Netherlands 6; Greece 3; Italy 2; Australia 1.
Sunday 3: USA-Japan (14), Hungary-Spain (15.45), Italy-Holland (18.30), Greece-Australia (20.15).
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