The highlight of the mid-week fourth round of the Italian League came from Naples, where Posillipo earned a hard-fought 13:11 victory over Pallanuoto Trieste in one of the most entertaining matches of the season so far.

Trieste, playing their third game in just seven days, showed signs of fatigue and suffered a crucial blow midway through the match when Montenegrin star Vuk Draskovic was excluded for three personal fouls. Up to that point, the visitors had been competitive—Draskovic even gave Trieste a 3:2 lead early in the second quarter—but his exit shifted the balance.

Posillipo quickly took control, powered by Draskovic’s fellow countryman Danilo Radovic, who scored all four of his goals in the second period. The hosts went on a 7:2 run before halftime, taking a commanding 9:5 lead into the third quarter. By early in the fourth, Posillipo were up 13:7. Trieste mounted a late surge with four consecutive goals, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

Radovic led Posillipo with four goals, while Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice added three. For Trieste, Draskovic finished as top scorer with three before his early exit.

Recco Cruise in Naples, Savona and Brescia Impress

Unlike Trieste, Pro Recco enjoyed a successful trip to Naples, dismantling Canottieri with a dominant 23:7 victory. Francesco Condemi was outstanding with five goals, while Max Irving netted four in the absence of Francesco Di Fulvio.

Savona also put on a goal-scoring show, defeating Roma Vis Nova 23:12, led by four goals apiece from Luca Damonte and Pietro Figlioli.

Brescia maintained their unbeaten start, overcoming Iren Genova Quinto 14:10 away from home. The visitors were in full control after three periods (11:3), before Quinto reduced the margin with a strong final quarter. Ferrero struck three times for Brescia, while Gogov matched that tally for Quinto.

Shootout Drama in Palermo and Bologna

In one of the round’s tightest contests, Telimar Palermo edged Salerno 17:16 after a dramatic penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Francesco Massaro emerged as the hero, saving two shots in the shootout to secure Telimar’s fourth win of the campaign.

Meanwhile, De Akker Bologna claimed their first points of the season with a penalty shootout triumph over Ortigia (15:13), finally rewarding their persistence after a tough start to the year.

Elsewhere, Olympic Roma defeated Florentia 15:13 in Florence to remain mid-table.

Round 4 Results

Posillipo – Trieste 13:11 (2:2, 7:3, 1:1, 3:5)
Savona – Roma Vis Nova 23:12 (4:1, 6:3, 5:3, 8:5)
Iren Genova Quinto – Brescia 10:14 (1:3, 1:5, 1:3, 7:3)
Canottieri Naples – Pro Recco 7:23 (2:5, 0:4, 1:7, 4:7)
Telimar – Salerno 17:16 (2:2, 4:5, 5:2, 2:4, PSO 4:3)
De Akker – Ortigia 15:13 (3:2, 1:2, 2:2, 4:3, PSO 5:3)
Florentia – Olympic Roma 13:15 (3:4, 3:3, 4:5, 3:3)

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Standings after Round 4

1. Pro Recco – 4 – 12 pts
2. Savona – 4 – 12 pts
3. Brescia – 4 – 12 pts
4. Telimar – 4 – 8 pts
5. Trieste – 4 – 6 pts
6. Posillipo – 4 – 6 pts
7. Olympic Roma – 4 – 6 pts
8. Roma Vis Nova – 4 – 5 pts
9. Quinto – 4 – 4 pts
10. Ortigia – 4 – 4 pts
11. Salerno – 4 – 4 pts
12. Canottieri Naples – 4 – 3 pts
13. De Akker – 4 – 2 pts
14. Florentia – 4 – 0 pts

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