The race for the 2025 Serie A1 title is heating up, with Brescia and Pro Recco claiming important home victories in the first matches of the semifinal series. Both teams are now just one win away from reaching the Italian League final.
Brescia Overcomes Early Scare to Edge Past Trieste
Brescia had to work hard to overcome a determined Trieste side, narrowly winning 9:8 in a tense semifinal opener.
The regular-season champions found themselves trailing 1:3 early on, but two quick goals in the final 38 seconds of the first quarter pulled them level at 3:3. Brescia kept their momentum going into the second period, scoring three unanswered goals to move ahead 6:3.
The hosts maintained a three-goal cushion until midway through the third quarter (8:5). However, Trieste wasn’t finished. Podgornik struck twice, cutting the deficit to 7:8 early in the fourth quarter and setting up a dramatic finale.
Jacopo Alesiani gave Brescia some breathing space with a crucial goal in the 27th minute, and although Trieste’s Draskovic responded immediately, neither team could find the net in the closing stages, allowing Brescia to escape with a hard-fought victory.
Pro Recco Dominates Savona Behind Balanced Attack
Meanwhile, Pro Recco made a powerful statement in their semifinal opener, defeating Savona 13:8.
The defending champions set the tone early, racing to a 5:1 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 9:3 by the middle of the second period. Gonzalo Echenique, returning after a six-month injury layoff, scored Recco’s ninth goal in a strong showing.
Savona managed to pull two goals back before halftime (5:9) and matched Recco’s output in the second half, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Ten different Recco players found the back of the net, with Younger, Condemi, and Hallock each scoring twice.
For Savona, Pietro Figlioli and Cora scored two goals apiece, but Savona’s situation worsened with Figlioli receiving a suspension for a violent foul late in the match.
5th–8th Place Playoffs: De Akker and Posillipo Prevail
In the 5th–8th place playoffs, De Akker and Posillipo took full advantage of their home pools.
De Akker edged out Ortigia 11:10 in a thrilling encounter. The teams were tied 8:8 entering the final quarter. Ortigia twice took the lead, but De Akker finished stronger, scoring the last two goals to clinch a narrow victory.
Posillipo also enjoyed a successful night, defeating Roma Vis Nova 11:8 after a strong performance across the first three quarters.
2025 Serie A1 Playoffs – Semifinals (First Leg Results)
1st – 4th Place Semifinals (Best of Three Series):
- Brescia 9–8 Trieste (3:3, 3:1, 2:2, 1:2)
- Pro Recco 13–8 Savona (5:1, 4:4, 2:2, 2:1)
5th–8th Place Playoffs:
- Posillipo 11–8 Roma Vis Nova (3:1, 1:1, 4:2, 3:4)
- De Akker 11–10 Ortigia (3:2, 3:2, 2:4, 3:2)
What’s Next?
Brescia and Pro Recco will look to close out their semifinal series and punch their tickets to the 2025 Serie A1 final. Meanwhile, Trieste and Savona will be fighting to keep their seasons alive in the second games.
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