Coppa Italia F - Ekipe Orizzonte qualifies with a perfect score for the Final Six
Ekipe Orizzonte concluded the preliminary phase of the Women's Water Polo Coppa Italia with another victory, finishing on top of Group A played in Catania with a perfect score.
In the afternoon, the Catania team defeated Rapallo Pallanuoto 12-5, securing all available points in the fourth match played over the weekend at the Francesco Scuderi pool in Via Zurria. This victory qualified them with merit for the Final Six scheduled for February 21-23 and secured a spot in the semifinals.
Against the Ligurians, the team in red and blue won all quarters of the game, respectively 3-1, 4-2, 2-1, and 3-1.
Among the scorers were Giulia Viacava, Dafne Bettini, and Aurora Longo with two goals each. Bronte Halligan, Robin Jutte, Marta Giuffrida, Charlize Andrews, Chiara Tabani, and Morena Leone scored one goal each.
After the match, the Ekipe Orizzonte coach evaluated the early season performances of her players: "In these days, I have seen many positive things," said Martina Miceli, "not so much for what we have done but for the attitude we have shown, both in the desire to improve and to be ready to make mistakes if they are viewed as opportunities for growth. So far, these girls have amazed me every day more because they have the desire to do both things, with the goal of raising the bar both in training and in matches. For us, these Coppa Italia challenges have been very important to weigh ourselves and understand where we can still take steps forward, being well aware that we have the opportunity to do so in many respects. Certainly, we can do this in the final phase, where we have shown ample room for improvement, so we will work hard on this aspect as well. I must say that I am quite satisfied with the game plan phase because we build a lot and execute many counterattacks. We can also improve a lot from this point of view, especially in terms of our understanding between us. Certainly, these matches have also been beneficial for us in view of the early international commitments of the season, considering that we have had the opportunity to compete against worthy opponents like Trieste and Rapallo, which are teams of European level. In the Champions League, we will face more superior teams accustomed to stages of this kind. However, we will be ready and will battle against anyone. In the coming weeks, we will do everything to improve our finishing and our understanding of game timing, in which we need to raise the level even more."
At the final whistle of the Rapallo match, the analysis of the number 4 of the red and blue team also arrived, who was chosen as a captain along with Bronte Halligan: "The legacy I receive," said Giulia Viacava, "is heavy because we are talking about a club like Orizzonte. I thank Tania, Martina, Renato, and the entire organization who believed in me. I am happy to be the captain of this team with Bronte because I respect her not only as a player but above all outside the pool. I do not want to experience all this as a burden, but rather intend to do everything to be helpful and set an example for my younger teammates. In these early matches, we have already shown to be a well-integrated group, with great harmony. We need to improve in many aspects, such as in finishing at goal or in mutual support in defensive phase. However, we are still a team under construction, and I am sure that slowly the real Ekipe Orizzonte will be seen. The new players have already integrated very well; they are all young girls with a great desire to learn and do well. It seems that we have known each other for a lifetime, and this is certainly an advantage. Both the existing players and those who have just arrived have been good in this process, as has every single member of the organization in helping us to accelerate it."
Next week, Ekipe Orizzonte will also debut in the league, in Ancona, in a match scheduled for Saturday, October 19, and on Wednesday, the 23rd, the team will host Cosenza.
The red and blue team have been drawn in Group D of the Champions League with the Spanish team of Sant Andreu and the two Hungarian teams of BVSC Zuglo and UVSE Budapest. They will make their international debut against the latter on Saturday, October 26.
MATCH SUMMARY:
Ekipe Orizzonte - Rapallo Pallanuoto 12-5
Ekipe Orizzonte: Celona, Halligan 1, Jutte 1, Viacava 2, Giuffrida 1, Bettini 2 (1 penalty), Andrews, Tabani 1, Gagliardi, Hardy, Longo 2 (1 penalty), Leone 1, Condorelli, Moschetti. Coach: Miceli.
Rapallo Pallanuoto: Caso, Zanetta, Di Maria, Bianco, Marcialis 2, Lombella, Galardi, Cabona 2, Kudella, Grasso, Bianconi 1, Ballesty, Santapaola, Daniele. Coach: Antonucci.
Referees: Grillo and Schiavo.
Notes: quarters 3-1, 4-2, 2-1, 3-1.
In the third quarter, Caso replaced Santapaola in goal (R). In the fourth quarter, Celona replaced Condorelli in goal (O).
Numerical superiority: Ekipe Orizzonte 4/7 + 2 penalties, Rapallo 3/8.
Antonio Costa
Communication Manager of Ekipe Orizzonte
Photo Credits MFSPORT.NET
