Pro Recco and AN Brescia claimed victories in the opening matches of the Italian Serie A1 championship semifinals on Tuesday, moving one win away from booking their places in the best-of-five final.
Just three days after losing the Champions League final to Barceloneta in Malta, reigning Italian champions Pro Recco returned to domestic action with a commanding 22–11 victory over Posillipo.
Brescia also made a strong start to their semifinal series, defeating RN Savona 14–11 in front of 800 spectators at the Mompiano swimming pool.
Pro Recco pull away from Posillipo
Pro Recco Waterpolo 22–11 CN Posillipo
Series: Pro Recco lead 1–0
Posillipo matched Recco during an entertaining opening period, with the score level at 5–5 late in the quarter.
The hosts then began to take control. Francesco Cannella and Alvaro Granados converted consecutive extra-player opportunities to give Recco a 7–5 advantage at the first break.
Goals from Giacomo Iocchi Gratta and Marko Durik extended the lead to 9–5 early in the second quarter. Posillipo responded and reduced the deficit, but Sandro Sukno’s side still held an 11–8 advantage at half-time.
Recco broke the contest open after the interval, producing a decisive 6–1 third quarter before outscoring Posillipo 5–2 in the final period.
Iocchi Gratta and Cannella led the Italian champions with four goals each, while Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice also scored four times for Posillipo.
The 22–11 victory puts Recco one win away from another Serie A1 final, with Game 2 scheduled to take place in Naples on Friday.
Brescia hold off Savona
AN Brescia 14–11 RN Savona
Series: Brescia lead 1–0
Brescia established an early advantage through Vincenzo Dolce, Gianmarco Ferrero and Mario Del Basso, taking a 4–1 lead during the opening period.
Savona briefly reduced the deficit through Matteo Bruni and Pietro Figlioli, but Brescia continued to dictate the match.
Ferrero converted a penalty before Gianazza scored the hosts’ first extra-player goal. Further strikes from Guerrato and Dimitrios Nikolaidis Popadic helped Alessandro Bovo’s side build an 8–4 half-time lead.
Brescia moved five goals clear early in the third quarter, while goalkeeper Marco Del Lungo produced several important saves to frustrate Savona.
Bruni, Leinweber and Jacopo Occhione gave the visitors hope as they cut the deficit to three, but Brescia responded through Ferrero and Giri to take a 12–7 lead into the final period.
Popadic converted another penalty to make it 13–7 before Brescia eased their pressure during the closing minutes.
Savona reduced the gap through Leinweber, Damonte, Guidi and Stefano Rizzo, but Del Basso scored an important late goal to help Brescia close out a 14–11 victory.
The second match of the series will be played in Savona on Friday evening, with Brescia having the opportunity to secure their place in the championship final.
Serie A1 semifinal results
Game 1 – Tuesday, June 16
Pro Recco Waterpolo 22–11 CN Posillipo
Series: Pro Recco lead 1–0
AN Brescia 14–11 RN Savona
Series: Brescia lead 1–0
Game 2 schedule
Friday, June 19
21:00 – RN Savona vs AN Brescia
21:30 – CN Posillipo vs Pro Recco Waterpolo
A third match will be played on Monday, June 22 if either series is level after Game 2.
The championship final begins on Thursday, June 25 and will be contested as a best-of-five series. The team that finished higher in the regular season will host Games 1, 2 and, if required, Game 5.
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