Water polo, Pro Recco makes a comeback: Champions League at Barceloneta

Bitter Champions. Pro Recco is great, Barceloneta even more so: in the splendid final in Malta, characterized by wild attacks and serial feats, the Spaniards triumph 17-16, capable of re-emerging twice from -3 (10-7 and 11-8 in the second half) and countering a team that showed off an eloquent 100% numerical superiority at mid-match (8 goals out of 8, with goalkeeper Aguirre unusually distracted). In the last quarter, which opened at 14-14, the Catalans took the lead at 16-14 with a brace from Biel, then Condemi halved the deficit, Burian scored the new +2, finally the definitive 17-16 from Iocchi Gratta, among the best on the pitch (partial scores 6-6, 5-6, 3-2, 3-2). Nicosia saves two penalties, to Munarriz (mvp of the finals) and Sanahuja. For Barceloneta, more lucid in key moments, it is the second Champions League after that of 2014.

protagonists

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At the twentieth final in its history, the fifth in the last six seasons (last year it was “only” Euro Cup due to the corporate vicissitudes of 2024 and the consequent renunciation of the most important trophy), Pro Recco still comes out to applause. It was a special match for three former greats: Granados among the Ligurians, Echenique and Velotto among the Catalans. Doubly special for Di Fulvio who is preparing to move to Fernandez’s team. An equally emotional evening for the Behring family (Alexandre attended the awards ceremony) who took over from patron Volpi in the summer of two years ago and came close to winning their first Champions League. Coach Sandro Sukno chivalrously comments: “Congratulations to the opponents, they deserved to win, they were compact and showed off an excellent offensive performance. We need to grow further, now let’s turn the page and think about the playoffs”. President Maurizio Felugo agreed: “Congratulations to Barceloneta, they had a great final, like us. Our progress was excellent, but it wasn’t enough: we have to accept the defeat and make the most of it for the future.”

the path

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After finishing the quarter-final groups in command, on Thursday in the semi-finals Recco had overwhelmed the Greeks of Olympiacos (19-13) while Barceloneta had defeated the Hungarians of Ferencvaros on penalties (13-11, in regulation time 9-9), champions in the last two seasons. And Ferencvaros gets the consolation of third place: the final against the Greeks ends at 16-13. In the same pool, these two clubs were also protagonists of the women’s final: Olympiacos won 17-14 on penalties, after 14-14 in the 32nd minute.

BARCELONETA-PRO RECCO 17-16

BARCELONETA: Aguirre, Munarriz 2, Velotto 1, M. Valls 2, Sanahuja 2 (1 penalty), Echenique, J. Bustos, Burian 3, Tahull 2, Casabella, Biel 3, A. Bustos 1, Delmas, Gomila 1. All. F. Fernandez. PRO RECCO: Nicosia, F. Di Fulvio 2, Granados 2, Cannella, A. Fondelli 2, Durik, N. Presciutti 2, Pavillard, Iocchi Gratta 3, Buric, F. Condemi 3, Irving, Negri, Cassia 2. All. S. Sukno. REFEREES: Franulovic (Cro) and Bourges (Fra). NOTES: top number Barceloneta 16 (12 goals), Pro Recco 16 (10). Exit 3 rows J. Bustos, Velotto, F. Condemi, Gomila, Sanahuja in the fourth half. Nicosia saves two penalties from Munarriz and Sanahuja.

Semi-finals: Barceloneta (Spa)-Ferencvaros (Ung) 13-11 on penalties (9-9), Pro Recco-Olympiacos (Gre) 19-13.

Finals: 3rd place Ferencvaros-Olympiacos 16-13, 1st place Barceloneta-Pro Recco 17-16.