Pro Recco has been crowned champions of Italy once again, successfully defending their Serie A1 title after a commanding 9–5 victory over AN Brescia in Game 3 of the playoff final. The reigning champions sealed their 37th national title in the 106th edition of the Italian League, continuing an extraordinary era of domestic dominance.

The decisive match was effectively settled within the first two quarters. Recco took a commanding 7–1 lead by halftime, overwhelming their rivals with clinical execution and defensive discipline. Brescia, who managed to push Recco in the earlier matchups this season, had no answers in this final clash.

This marks Pro Recco’s 18th Italian League title since 2006. Only twice in that period have they not claimed the championship—once in 2020, when the season was cancelled, and again in 2021, when Brescia lifted the trophy for just the second time in their history.

Despite the absence of Francesco Di Fulvio (Recco) and Balzarini (Brescia)—both sent off in Game 2—the Ligurian side showed their depth and experience. Gonzalo Echenique opened the scoring in the 4th minute, converting a man-up opportunity. Recco added two more power-play goals to take a 3–0 lead into the second quarter.

The momentum continued with a penalty goal from Francesco Condemi and another man-up strike from Echenique following a red card to Brescia’s Del Basso for brutality. That four-minute exclusion allowed Recco to score again, pushing the lead to 6–0. Brescia finally got on the board with a penalty from Dolce, but Haverkampf responded before the half to make it 7–1.

Recco’s extra-man efficiency was a key factor—they scored five goals from seven man-up chances in the first half, plus one during the four-minute suspension. Brescia, by contrast, failed to convert any of their nine extra-player situations in the opening 16 minutes.

Brescia improved after the break, tightening their defense and scoring twice in the third quarter. Max Irving brought the score to 4–7 early in the final quarter with the game’s first even-strength goal. However, Giacomo Cannella quickly ended Recco’s scoring drought, and although Irving found the net once more, Echenique completed his four-goal performance to close the game.

2025 Italian Championship Playoff Final – Game 3

Brescia 5–9 Pro Recco
(0–3, 1–4, 2–0, 2–2)
Series result: Recco wins 2–1

Brescia scorers: Irving 2, Dolce 1, Giri 1, Ferrero 1
Pro Recco scorers: Echenique 4, Cannella 3, Condemi 1, Haverkampf 1

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