In Rotterdam, with qualification for the finals already secure, the Italians play on equal terms against the Olympic champions. Mirarchi: “Great journey”
Even against the Olympic champions, Setterosa is appreciated. Having already achieved qualification for the finals, in the first match of the second phase of the World Cup, the Italians lost to Spain and still came out to applause: in the Rotterdam pool they finished 14-12 and only the third set made the difference (5-3). Coach Maurizio Mirarchi was satisfied: “It was another high-level and extremely demanding match. We were always in the game, holding the pitch really well, fighting for every ball. In the end we weakened a bit physically, of course, but I can already say that I am very happy with the progress of this tournament.” Hat-tricks from Ranalli (increasingly incisive in attack) and Bettini. Another convincing performance from Sesena between the posts. Good percentage in numerical superiority for Italy (7 out of 10) who show great things when they play at speed. Tomorrow we find the European champions Holland, already beaten on Sunday (12-10).
the formula
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Eight teams divided into two groups (A and B), the top two in each group have already secured the pass to the Final Eight from 22-26 July in Sydney where Settebello will also be present, but play will continue until Wednesday to define the grid (group C). With Setterosa, Holland, Spain and the United States qualified. Third and fourth places – Hungary, Japan, Australia and Greece – have merged into another group (D) which offers the fifth pass to the Final Eight (two others have been assigned by the Second Division played in Malta, to Russia and China, while Australia is qualified by right as the host country and therefore plays out of the rankings). All matches are streamed live on the paid section of the World Aquatics website.
SPAIN: Jimenez, A. Ruiz, Q. Bertran, B. Ortiz, Perez, Crespi 2, E. Ruiz 3, Prats 1, Camus, Claveria 1, Leiton 2, Mart. Terré, I. Gonzalez 3, Anton. All. Valls. ITALY: Sesena, C. Tabani 1, Leone, Klatowski, Gant, L. Cergol, Giustini 1, Bianconi 1, Bettini 3 (1 penalty), Ranalli 3, A. Cocchiere 1, Gagliardi, Condorelli, Papi 1. All. M. Mirarchi. REFEREES: Sajben (Ung) and Daskalopoukou (Gre). NOTES: top number Spain 7 (3 goals), Italy 11 (7). Exit 3 rows Prats in the 4th match.
Monday 4. Group C: Holland-USA 10-12, Spain-Italy 14-12. Ranking: USA, Spain 3; Holland, Italy 0.
Group D: Greece-Hungary 14-9, Australia-Japan 22-10. Ranking: Australia, Greece 3; Hungary. Japan 0.
Tuesday 5. Group C: Holland-Italy (6.30pm), Spain-USA (8.15pm). Group D: Australia-Greece (14), Hungary-Japan (15.45).
Wednesday 6. Group C: Spain-Holland (6.30pm), Italy-USA (8.15pm). Group D: Hungary-Australia (14), Japan-Greece (15.45).
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