Italy closed out their preparations in Naples with a solid 15–12 victory over Montenegro, bidding farewell to the Felice Scandone Federal Centre and its fans before turning their focus fully towards Belgrade and the upcoming European Championships.
The friendly, played in front of around 1,200 spectators, saw the Settebello control large periods of the match and remain in front throughout, despite sustained pressure from a physical and well-organised Montenegro side.
Among those watching from the stands was Antonio Conte, the Napoli head coach and former Italian international athlete, who attended the match with his family. Before the game, Italy head coach Alessandro Campagna, alongside national federal councillor and Felice Scandone technical director Luca Piscopo, presented Conte with an Italian national team water polo jersey and a ball signed by the entire squad — a symbolic moment linking Italian sporting excellence across disciplines.
Match recap
Italy struck first through Matteo Iocchi Gratta after a measured opening, but Montenegro responded quickly to keep the contest finely balanced in the opening quarter. The Azzurri edged the first period 3–2 before asserting themselves more clearly in the second, where improved defensive pressure and sharper counterattacks helped open up a four-goal cushion at half-time (8–4).
Marco Del Lungo was a commanding presence in goal, producing several key saves, including stopping a Montenegrin penalty, while Iocchi Gratta led the scoring with five goals. Italy’s ability to draw exclusions and convert from the penalty spot proved decisive as Montenegro struggled to fully close the gap despite increased intensity in the second half.
The visitors pushed hard in the third and fourth quarters, testing Italy’s defensive structure and fitness, but the Settebello managed the closing stages well to secure a deserved 15–12 win.
Campagna: “A good test”
After the match, head coach Alessandro Campagna struck a balanced tone, emphasising the importance of the fixture within the broader preparation phase:
“At this moment all teams are preparing, so drops in concentration and fitness are normal. We played a good defensive game overall. It was a good match, a good test — nothing more and nothing less. There will be more tests, and the level will rise further ahead of Belgrade.”
What’s next for Italy
The match marked Italy’s final friendly appearance in Naples, where the team trained earlier in December before moving on to joint sessions and matches with Hungary. The Azzurri now head into the final phase of preparation, including participation in the Six Nations tournament in Trebinje, Bosnia, before travelling to Belgrade for the European Championships, which run from 10–25 January 2026.
Italy will compete in Group D alongside Turkey, Slovakia, and Romania, with ambitions firmly set on reaching the medal rounds. The performance in Naples offered encouraging signs — controlled, competitive, and suitably demanding — as the Settebello sharpen their edge for Europe’s biggest stage.