Water polo, World Cup: Setterosa loses to the USA

A defeat that tastes like half a victory. In Rotterdam, Setterosa closes the first phase of the World Cup, giving way to the United States, Olympic and world gold: the qualification for the Final Eight (June 23-25 ​​in Long Beach, California) had already been acquired with the successes against China and Spain. “The balance of the three days is quite positive. Too bad about this last match, we paid for a subdued start, then we did well to get back into the game. I know I can count on a larger group and this gives me confidence” commented coach Carlo Silipo after the stop with the strongest team on the planet. From the other group (A) Holland and Hungary advance, while Greece and Australia will compete with Spain and China (third and fourth of our group) for the last two places for the Final Eight: the second phase will be played in Athens from Wednesday to Friday, headquarters in which the already qualified ones will also return to the water to define the grid. The last two passes will come out of the Second Division tournament scheduled for May 1-7 (in Berlin).

THE MATCH

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Against the Americans, who in this tournament put some rising stars to the test (this is the case of the fifteen-year-old Cohen), Setterosa starts very badly (1-5 in the sign of the usual Steffens and Musselman), but then remains constantly in the slipstream. Extremely demanding match on a physical level, both coaches field reserve goalkeepers Longan and Condorelli. Italy also manages to capture the 7-7 in the 15th minute with the unleashed Picozzi, in the end author of a four-of-a-kind (one of the players who has grown the most under Silipo’s guidance), then comes to terms with a bizarre refereeing. In the last 2′, when the USA seem to have the victory over 14-11 in hand, the contest is reopened by a brace from Bettini, another great protagonist. Following a disputed expulsion, Silipo and his deputy Di Cecca were expelled, then on the reversal of the front – after time out at -7” – Setterosa did not materialize the last desperate assault. Among the best, also the centre-boas Cocchiere and Galardi. We go home with many more certainties.

USA: Longan, Musselman 5, Prentice, Fattal 2, Bonaguidi, Steffens 5 (1 rig.), Ausmus 1, Stryker, Mammolito, Gazzaniga, Cohen, Raney 1 rig., A.Johnson. Herd Krikorian.

ITALY:Condorelli, C. Tabani, Galardi 2, Avegno 2, Citino, Bettini 3, Picozzi 3, Di Claudio, A. Cocchiere 2, Marletta 1, Gant, Viacava, Banchelli. All. Silipo.

REFEREES: Schwartz (Isr) and Schopp (Ger).

NOTE: sup. no. Usa 16 (9 goals), Italy 11 (3). In the 1st minute Longan saves a penalty from Marletta. Out. 3 f. Avegno, Gant, Marletta and Picozzi in the 4th t. Silipo’s deputy Di Cecca expelled for protests.

Tuesday 11: Spain-USA 17-15 on penalties (12-12), Italy-China 14-13.

Wednesday 12: Italy-Spain 13-9, USA-China 12-5.

Thursday 13: Spain-China 15-7, USA-Italy 14-13.

Classification: Use 7; Italy 6; Spain 5; China 0.