Women’s water polo: Italy-Spain 11-10, immense Setterosa in the World League

In Florence, on the second day, the blue amazed and won 11-10 over the European champions. Silipo: “A success that gives self-esteem”

Who would have thought that two games would have been enough for the new Setterosa to knock out Spain? On the second day of the World League, in Florence, Italy does the feat against the European champions, Olympic and world silver. “Beyond the value of the match, it is a result that gives self-esteem. The girls just need to believe in themselves: they have been very good ”comments Carlo Silipo, at his first success as a coach, in this tank protagonist of epic and victorious championship finals, the first as captain of Posillipo (2000 and 2001). In the jubilation of Nannini, the blue redeemed beautifully the defeat at the debut in Russia, which came after a year of international inactivity and with a formation decimated by Covid. But even this group was not complete (among others, Bianconi was missing) and the signs are more than comforting.

EMOTIONS

Few would have bet on a balanced challenge, also considering the continuous stops in the championship that inevitably penalize the form. Against a team that ranks absolute champions and is also undergoing renewal: Ortiz was named best European player 2021 by Len, in front of Espar who in fact gives a show in Florence, not only for the five goals. In a match characterized by so much area that she lends herself to long range shots, she is the one to drag the national team led by Oca, up to +3 (5-8) of the long interval. “We have given her too much freedom, with little coverage for Teani. Then we mentally unblocked ”analyzes Silipo. A shock comes from the change between the poles, with the addition of Banchelli, darling of the house: formidable. His saves charge the Setterosa, who with an unpredictable break of 4-0 turns the dispute: extraordinary the Bedouin of the overtaking signed by Galardi (9-8). Elena Ruiz – another sumptuous protagonist – signs the draw as the last rest is approaching, and in the final quarter there are strong emotions: Emmolo brings us back to +1 in numerical superiority, the usual Ruiz makes 10-10, finally Marletta (mvp) initials 11-10 at 3’40 “from the siren with the extra man, a fundamental that this time works effectively (8 goals out of 12 occasions). Another feat is still Banchelli, the rejected on Ortiz in numerical inferiority to -35 “. Superlative were the Palmieri center (at first as captain), Cocchiere and Galardi. Also very polished Tabani. But all of them go well beyond sufficiency. “I especially liked the attack, without fear,” Silipo emphasizes. It is an evening to remember.

(4-4, 1-4, 4-1, 2-1)
ITALY: Teani, C. Tabani 1, Giustini 1, A.Cocchiere 1, Queirolo, Bettini, A.Repetto, Marletta 4 (1 pen), Emmolo 2, Palmieri, Galardi 1, Viacava 1, Banchelli. Herds Silipo.
SPAIN: Terre, Nouge, A.Espar 5, B.Ortiz, Palacio, A.Ruiz, E.Ruiz 4, Peña, Gallinato, Camus, Muñoz, Leiton 1, Jimenez. Herds Goose.
REFEREES: Debreceni (Ung) and Polychronopoulos (Gre).
NOTE: sup. num. Italy 12 (8 goals), Spain 7 (1).

THE GROUP: Greece, Holland, Hungary (A); Russia, Italy, Spain (B). The leaders arrive directly in the semifinals, second and third will cross each other in the quarterfinals of the European Final Six, scheduled from 22 to 24 April in Tenerife, Canary Islands: the first three will participate in the Final Eight.

THE CALENDAR: Russia-Italy 11-5, Italy-Spain 11-10, March 15 Spain-Russia. Ranking: Russia, Italy * 3; Spain 0 (* one game more)

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