Pro Recco lifted the first trophy of their 2025/26 campaign on Sunday night, defeating RN Savona 13–7 in the Coppa Italia final in Genoa to claim a record 19th Italian Cup.
The Final Four, staged at the Sciorba pool, once again underlined Recco’s domestic authority. Behind a balanced attacking display and a decisive third-quarter surge, the Biancocelesti defended the title they won last season in Naples, when they also beat Savona by six goals.
AN Brescia finished third after a convincing win over CN Posillipo.
A new Coppa Italia format
This season marked a structural shift for the Coppa Italia. The Italian Swimming Federation scrapped the traditional qualification tournaments, with the top four teams in Serie A1 after 13 rounds earning direct passage to the Final Four.
League leaders Pro Recco were joined by Brescia, Savona, and Posillipo, setting up a high-quality weekend in Genoa.
Semifinals
Pro Recco 21–6 Posillipo
Recco made light work of the semifinals, overwhelming Posillipo with a dominant second half. After Posillipo reduced the gap to 11–6 in the 20th minute, the holders closed the match on a devastating 10–0 run.
Álvaro Granados, Giacomo Cannella, and Francesco Condemi all finished with four goals apiece, as Recco powered into another Coppa Italia final.
Savona 18–17 Brescia (penalties)
The second semifinal delivered drama. Brescia led 13–10 early in the fourth quarter, only for Savona to mount a late comeback and force a 14–14 draw. Pietro Figlioli’s penalty briefly put Savona ahead, before a late equaliser sent the game to a shootout.
Goalkeeper Marco Del Lungo proved decisive in penalties, booking Savona’s place in the final. Filippo Ferrero led all scorers with six goals for Brescia, while Luca Damonte struck three times for Savona.
Final: Pro Recco 13–7 Savona
The final was a repeat of last season’s gold-medal match—and the outcome was identical.
Savona started boldly, twice taking the lead in the opening minutes, but Recco gradually imposed their rhythm. A power-play goal from Matteo Iocchi Gratta just before the first break gave Recco a 4–3 edge, which they steadily extended.
A 4–0 run spanning the second and third quarters effectively decided the contest, pushing Recco clear at 7–3. Early in the fourth, the champions stretched the margin to 11–5, leaving Savona with too much ground to make up.
Max Irving led the scoring for Recco with three goals, while Iocchi Gratta, Cannella, Buric, and Francesco Condemi all made key contributions. For Savona, captain Pietro Figlioli netted four times, but the gap proved decisive—just as it had been in Naples a year earlier.
Bronze-medal match
Brescia 16–6 Posillipo
Brescia bounced back strongly to secure third place, cruising past Posillipo with Filippo Ferrero once again to the fore, scoring four goals.
Results at a glance
Semifinals
- Pro Recco – Posillipo 21–6 (3–2, 6–3, 8–1, 4–0)
- Brescia – Savona 17–18 (penalties) (4–3, 5–3, 3–4, 2–4; PSO 3–4)
Final
- Pro Recco – Savona 13–7 (4–3, 4–1, 1–1, 4–2)
Third place
- Posillipo – Brescia 6–16 (2–6, 1–2, 1–2, 2–6)
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