The 2026/27 Italian Serie A1 season opened on Saturday with five completed matches, a dominant start from champions Pro Recco, a difficult opening win for Brescia and an unusual travel drama involving Rari Nantes Savona.
Pro Recco began their title defence in emphatic fashion, beating Roma Vis Nova 24-9 in Monterotondo.
The champions were already 8-3 ahead after the opening quarter and extended the advantage to 15-4 by half-time. Luka Buric scored five times for Recco, with the visitors making an immediate statement on the opening weekend.
Brescia faced a much tougher afternoon away to newly promoted Chiavari Nuoto.
Despite travelling with a squad affected by suspensions and injuries, the Italian runners-up came through a competitive contest 13-11. Chiavari remained within touching distance throughout and trailed only 10-9 heading into the final quarter.
Filippo Ferrero led Brescia with four goals, while Pietro Figlioli also scored four for Chiavari as the promoted side produced an encouraging performance on their return to the top division after 18 years.
Ortigia also opened with victory, defeating De Akker Bologna 14-12 in Syracuse.
The Sicilian side exploded out of the blocks to lead 6-1 after the first period. De Akker recovered and made the contest significantly closer, but Ortigia held on, with both Marko Tankosic and Francesco Torrisi scoring five goals.
Pallanuoto Trieste beat Training Academy Olympic Roma 20-16 in another high-scoring encounter.
Trieste led 11-8 at half-time after a crucial late second-quarter burst and maintained their advantage after the break. Jacopo Damonte finished as their leading scorer with five goals.
Posillipo produced the comeback of the day against newly promoted Lazio.
The visitors raced into a 5-1 lead after the opening quarter, but Posillipo quickly recovered before taking control with a 5-1 third period. The Naples side eventually won 13-9, with Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice, Cuccovillo and Milojevic each scoring three.
Savona Unable to Reach Palermo
The most unusual story of the opening round came away from the pool.
Telimar’s scheduled home match against Rari Nantes Savona was not played after Savona were unable to reach Palermo because of a cancelled flight.
Savona said the team had been due to fly from Turin to Palermo on Friday evening with Wizz Air. The flight was repeatedly delayed before being cancelled at 22:40.
The club said it was subsequently unable to find enough seats on alternative flights either that evening or on Saturday, leaving the squad unable to travel to Sicily.
Telimar were already at the pool and prepared to play, with officials waiting the required period before the match was abandoned following Savona’s absence.
Savona said it was the first time in the club’s Serie A1 history that the team had failed to appear for a scheduled match.
The club is expected to submit documentation to the Italian federation arguing that the situation constituted force majeure, with the relevant authorities now responsible for deciding how the fixture will be handled.
One further opening-round fixture, Genova Quinto against Canottieri Napoli, had already been postponed until 16 December.
Serie A1 – Round 1 results
CC Ortigia 1928 14-12 De Akker Bologna
Pallanuoto Trieste 20-16 Training Academy Olympic Roma
Chiavari Nuoto 11-13 AN Brescia
Roma Vis Nova 9-24 Pro Recco
CN Posillipo 13-9 SS Lazio Nuoto
Telimar-RN Savona – not played
Genova Quinto-Canottieri Napoli – postponed to 16 December
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