Water polo, Women’s World League in the European finals: the charge of the Setterosa

Against Spain the first satisfaction of the Silipo era, in Spain looking for another company. In Tenerife, the pearl of the Canaries, the Setterosa is looking for confirmations after the success of the European champions, Olympic and world silver, beaten 11-10 in Florence: “We want to go as far as possible. Only by comparing ourselves at a high level can we grow ”says the coach on the eve of the European World League finals. That unexpected victory, on February 22, was enough to close the preliminary round in the lead due to the exclusion of Russia (who had defeated us 11-5 in Ruza), replaced in Tenerife by France. The blues therefore find themselves directly in the semifinals and will almost certainly face the Netherlands, which tomorrow will challenge the French in the quarterfinals. “She would be a very physical opponent, and therefore she would represent a good test in this respect”. The other match between the hosts and Greece is much more uncertain, whoever wins finds Hungary. The two matches of Italy will go live on RaiSport. The first three classified will access the absolute Final Eight on a date to be established (but a fourth right pass could be added for a possible European host nation), where the teams qualified through the intercontinental tournament will also be present.

TOWARDS BUDAPEST

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The blues got ready in the Avezzano swimming pool, where they welcomed the outcome of the draw for the World Cup: in Budapest, in two months, we will be joined by Hungary, Colombia and Canada who hired the Paduan Stefano Posterivo as technical assistant for big events. Among the 15 called up for this trip (13 will go on the scoresheet as always) there is Elisa Queirolo, unavailable for a large part of the Abruzzo team. “We worked hard, even in the gym,” Silipo observes. Since arriving in Tenerife on Tuesday, the Setterosa has also trained together with the Spanish and Hungarians.

THE CALLED: Teani, Banchelli, Bianconi, C. Tabani, Galardi, Avegno, A.Cocchiere, Giustini, Picozzi, Di Claudio, Palmieri, Marletta, Emmolo, Viacava, Bettini.

THE PROGRAM: Friday 22 quarter-finals Netherlands-France (12.15 Italians), Spain-Greece (14); Saturday 23 semifinals Hungary-Spain or Greece (12.15), Italy-Holland or France (14); Sunday 24 finals 5th place (11), 3rd place (12.45), 1st place (14.30). The first three enter the Final Eight.