Italian water polo’s most enduring rivalry will once again decide the Serie A1 title after Pro Recco and Brescia both completed semifinal sweeps to book their places in the 2026 championship final.
The two giants will meet in the league final for the 15th time, continuing a rivalry that has defined the Italian game for more than two decades. Recco hold a commanding historical advantage, having won 12 of the previous 14 championship series between the clubs, but Brescia remain one of the few teams capable of challenging the reigning champions on the domestic stage.
Pro Recco secured their place in the final with a convincing 15-6 victory away to Posillipo, completing a 2-0 series win after their emphatic 22-11 success in Game 1.
The European runners-up were in control throughout the contest in Naples. Leading 7-3 at halftime, Sandro Sukno’s side effectively ended the match during a dominant third quarter, outscoring Posillipo 5-1 to open an unassailable lead.
Recco’s strength in depth was once again evident, with goals coming from across the lineup as the Ligurians cruised into yet another final appearance.
Joining them will be Brescia, who defeated Savona 14-10 to complete their own semifinal sweep.
After winning the opening match 14-11, Brescia entered Game 2 knowing victory would secure a place in the final, and they delivered another composed performance. Savona threatened to keep the series alive but were unable to contain Brescia’s balanced attack as the visitors closed out the tie in two matches.
The result sets up a familiar showdown between Italy’s two dominant clubs.
From the 2011-12 season through to 2022-23, Recco and Brescia met in eleven consecutive championship finals, creating one of the most recognisable rivalries in European water polo.
Their first championship final clash came in 2003 when Brescia claimed a dramatic victory in a deciding fifth match. Since then, however, Recco have largely dominated the rivalry, winning nine consecutive championship series before Brescia finally broke through to claim the 2021 title.
Recco responded by winning the next three championships and now enter the latest final looking to defend their crown once again.
The best-of-five series begins on 25 June, with Recco holding home-pool advantage after finishing above Brescia during the regular season. The first two matches will be played in Recco before the series moves to Brescia for Games 3 and 4, if necessary.
With both teams coming through the semifinals unbeaten, another closely contested battle is expected between two clubs that have shaped Italian water polo for more than a decade.
The winner will lift the 2026 Italian championship, while the loser will once again fall short in one of European water polo’s fiercest rivalries.
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