With the conclusion of the domestic season, highlighted by Pro Recco’s 37th national title, Italy’s men’s national water polo team, known as the Settebello, is set to commence preparations for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Head coach Alessandro Campagna has announced a 23-player training squad that blends seasoned veterans with emerging talents.
Training Camp Details
The team’s first training camp is scheduled from May 26 to June 7 at the Federal Center – Polo Acquatico Frecciarossa in Ostia. This initial phase will focus on building physical fitness, refining tactical systems, and fostering team cohesion ahead of a pivotal summer on the international stage.
Selected Squad
The 23 athletes called up for the training camp are:
AN Brescia – Tommaso Baggi Necchi, Alessandro Balzarini, Mario Del Basso, Filippo Ferrero, Tommaso Gianazza, Stefano Guerrato
CN Marseille – Alessandro Velotto
Ferencváros (Hungary) – Edoardo Di Somma
Novi Beograd (Serbia) – Francesco De Michelis
CC Ortigia 1928 – Francesco Cassia, Alessandro Carnesecchi
Trieste Water Polo – Andrea Mladossich
Pro Recco – Matteo Iocchi Gratta, Nicholas Presciutti, Giacomo Cannella, Francesco Condemi, Francesco Di Fulvio
RN Savona – Lorenzo Bruni, Luca Damonte, Mario Guidi, Gianmarco Nicosia, Andrea Patchaliev
SC Quinto – Federico Neri Panerai
Recent Challenges and Outlook
Settebello returns to the international scene after serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics following misconduct at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The ban, which excluded Italy from the 2025 World Cup, officially ended in April, allowing the team to now turn its full attention to the World Championships in Singapore.
World Championships Group Stage
At the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, Italy has been drawn into Group A, where they will face reigning Olympic champions Serbia in a high-stakes opener. That clash will be followed by a matchup against Romania, a strong and steadily improving European side, before closing the group stage against South Africa, an emerging team eager to prove itself on the world stage. The group stage begins on July 12 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, with Italy determined to reassert its presence among water polo’s global elite.
See Waterpolo 360’s Singapore 2025 World Championship Page
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X