Pro Recco and Brescia maintained their perfect starts to the Italian Serie A1 season with convincing victories in Round 6, while both Naples-based clubs suffered narrow defeats.
Pro Recco recorded their sixth consecutive league victory with a comfortable 19-8 win over Trieste, who were unable to match the defending champions from the opening stages.
Recco raced into a 7-0 lead before Trieste finally scored their first goal in the 15th minute. The hosts led 8-1 at halftime and continued to extend their advantage in the second half, with Andrea Cannella leading the scoring with five goals.
Brescia were equally dominant against Iren Quinto, securing a 17-8 victory to remain level with Recco on 18 points.
The hosts made an excellent start, leading 7-1 after the opening quarter and extending their advantage to 10-1 midway through the second. Brescia eventually took a 13-4 lead into halftime, with De Simone finishing as their leading scorer with four goals.
Elsewhere, Ortigia secured two important points following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Canottieri Napoli.
The Sicilian side led 10-9 heading into the final quarter, but Canottieri fought back to take a 12-11 advantage. Ortigia responded with two goals of their own before the hosts equalised at 13-13, sending the contest to penalties.
Ortigia eventually prevailed 16-14 after the shootout, moving into fourth place with 11 points.
It was also a disappointing weekend for the other Naples-based side, Posillipo, who suffered a narrow 13-12 defeat against Roma Vis Nova.
Having defeated Honved in Budapest in the Euro Cup just two days earlier, Posillipo were unable to carry that momentum into domestic competition.
The teams were level at 10-10 after three quarters, but Roma Vis Nova opened up a 13-11 advantage midway through the final period. Posillipo reduced the deficit to one, but the hosts held on to secure their second consecutive league victory.
De Akker Bologna also collected an important victory, defeating Olympic Roma 17-14. Campopiano scored five goals as the hosts recovered from a competitive middle period to outscore their opponents 7-5 in the final quarter.
Meanwhile, Telimar recorded their first league victory of the season with a 17-15 win away to Chiavari. Vlahovic scored five goals for the Sicilian side, who collected three important points in the battle towards the bottom of the standings.
Brescia and Pro Recco remain level at the top with 18 points from six matches, while Savona, who have played four games, sit third with 12 points. Savona’s meeting with Lazio completes the sixth round.
Italian Serie A1 – Round 6 Results
Canottieri Napoli 14-16 Ortigia (13-13, PSO 1-3)
De Akker 17-14 Olympic Roma
Brescia 17-8 Iren Quinto
Roma Vis Nova 13-12 Posillipo
Chiavari 15-17 Telimar
Pro Recco 19-8 Trieste
Savona vs Lazio (Sunday)
Standings: 1. Brescia 18, 2. Pro Recco 18, 3. Savona 12 (4 games), 4. Ortigia 11, 5. Trieste 9, 6. Lazio 9 (5), 7. Roma Vis Nova 7, 8. Canottieri Napoli 7 (5), 9. De Akker 6, 10. Posillipo 6, 11. Chiavari 5, 12. Olympic Roma 3, 13. Iren Quinto 3, 14. Telimar 3 (5).