Pro Recco did not just reach another Champions League final. They did it with a performance that felt like a statement.
The Italian powerhouse swept past Olympiacos Piraeus 19-13 in Malta on Thursday night, producing one of their most complete attacking displays of the season to set up a heavyweight final against Zodiac CNAB.
After Barceloneta had ended FTC-Telekom’s reign in a tense penalty shootout earlier in the evening, Recco made sure there would be no similar drama in the second semi-final. Sandro Sukno’s side started fast, scored freely, and had the match under control long before the final whistle.
By the end of the opening quarter, Recco were already 8-4 ahead. By half-time, the lead had grown to 13-7. For Olympiacos, there was no way back.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the match, Sukno was clear about the scale of Recco’s performance.
“We dominated from the start against a high-level team,” he said.
It was hard to argue. Recco’s first half was ruthless. They scored 13 goals from 17 shots and converted six of their first seven extra-player opportunities, repeatedly punishing Olympiacos for defensive mistakes and goalkeeper changes that never managed to disrupt the Italian rhythm.
Max Irving and Alvaro Granados both finished with four goals, giving Recco the kind of balance and explosiveness that makes them so difficult to contain. Around them, the supporting cast was just as important. Cannella, Presciutti and Condemi each scored twice, while Di Fulvio, Fondelli, Pavillard, Iocchi Gratta and Buric also got on the scoresheet.
That spread of scorers told the story of the evening. Recco were not relying on one player or one pattern. They attacked from everywhere.
Gazzetta dello Sport described the performance as overwhelming, with Italy head coach Sandro Campagna summing it up in one word on Sky Sport Arena: “Straripante” — “overwhelming”.
The description fitted. Recco played with pace, accuracy and hunger, overwhelming Olympiacos before the Greek side could settle into the contest. Even when the tempo dropped slightly in the second half, the result never felt in doubt.
For Sukno, however, the focus moved quickly to Saturday’s final. Barceloneta will present a very different challenge. The Spanish champions showed huge defensive discipline against FTC, even without injured leading scorer Vince Vigvari, and survived the pressure of a shootout against the two-time defending champions.
Sukno acknowledged that the final will require something different.
Against Barceloneta, he said, Recco will face a team of “high intensity” that likes to play at a high rhythm. But he also made clear that Recco believe they are built for any type of match.
That is the confidence of a club chasing its 12th European crown.
Recco were absent from last season’s Champions League, but still won the LEN Euro Cup. Now, back on the biggest stage, they are one win away from reclaiming the trophy they have won more than anyone else.
Saturday’s final against Barceloneta has all the ingredients: history, power, rhythm, defence, and two clubs that believe they belong on top of Europe.
After Thursday night, Recco will feel they are ready.
Quotes and post-match reaction sourced from Sky Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport, with reporting by Franco Carrella.
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