Pro Recco have struck first in the Italian Serie A1 final, defeating Brescia 12-8 in Game 1 of the best-of-five gold-medal series.
Recco had already beaten Brescia twice earlier this season, but this victory carried far greater weight, giving them the early advantage in the championship decider.
Brescia had the chance to make the perfect start, forcing a penalty in their opening possession, but goalkeeper Popadic was unable to convert. Recco punished the missed opportunity midway through the first quarter, scoring twice to move 2-0 ahead.
Brescia did not get on the scoreboard until the seventh minute, but they finished the opening period strongly. Three goals in the final 70 seconds, including an equaliser just eight seconds before the buzzer, brought the visitors level at 3-3.
At the start of the second quarter, Alvaro Granados restored Recco’s lead from the penalty line, only for Del Basso to respond quickly on the power play. However, that equaliser was followed by the decisive spell of the match.
Recco tightened up defensively and produced a 4-0 run before half-time, turning a balanced contest into an 8-4 lead at the break. Fondelli then stretched the margin to five early in the third period, making it 9-4.
Brescia refused to fade away. Three unanswered goals brought them back into contention, with Dolce cutting the gap to 9-7 on a man-up in the 25th minute. Recco had gone more than nine minutes without scoring, but they recovered at the right moment.
A 3-0 burst in just over three minutes restored full control, taking Recco to 12-7 with less than four minutes remaining. Brescia added one more, but the hosts had already done enough to secure a strong opening win.
Recco will also host Game 2 of the final on Friday.
2026 Italian League, final — Game 1
Pro Recco – Brescia 12-8
Quarters: 3-3, 5-1, 1-2, 3-2
Pro Recco: Di Fulvio 3, Granados 3, Cannella 2, Condemi 2, Fondelli 1, Buric 1.
Brescia: Del Basso 2, Dolce 2, Ferrero 1, Gianazza 1, Casanova 1, Balzarini 1.
Final standings, 3rd-8th place
There are no classification playoffs for 3rd, 5th and 7th place in the 2026 Serie A1 season. Positions from 3rd to 8th are determined by playoff semi-final results and regular-season standings.
- Savona
- Posillipo
- Trieste
- De Akker
- Iren Genova
- Roma Vis Nova
Olympic Roma finished ninth in the regular season and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Relegation playoff, Game 3
Telimar – Salerno 14-13
Quarters: 5-3, 4-3, 3-4, 2-3
Telimar win the series 2-1.
Salerno have been relegated to Serie A2. Telimar, together with relegation playoff semi-final winners Canottieri and Ortigia, will play in Serie A1 next season.