A1 M – TeLiMar clashes against AN Brescia Lions
One-way match, as predicted, for TeLiMar in the second round of the A1 championship. Against AN Brescia at the Centro Natatorio di Mompiano the final score is 14-8. The home team immediately ruthless, able to build a significant lead in just one and a half periods. A timid reaction from the team from Palermo, who try to keep up with Bovo's Lions, but are already looking towards the match against a direct rival like De Akker Bologna, who narrowly lost at home today against Quinto.
THE MATCH REPORT
Four initial goals for the home team, scored by ex-player Irving, plus Faraglia, Alesiani, and Balzarini. TeLiMar tries to react with Bajic in extra time, but the first period ends with a 5-1 lead for the American in power play.
The Lions continue their dominance in the second period, bringing the score to 8-1 with another ex-player Del Basso, Alesiani again, and Gianazza. Club dell’Addaura narrows the gap by scoring two penalties with Giliberti and Muscat, also taking advantage of Holland's save on Dolce's five-meter shot.
TeLiMar attempts to close the gap at the beginning of the second half of the match, with Marini scoring in extra time after a play by the team led by captain Ciccio Lo Cascio, who manage to implement the instructions received during the time-out. Bovo's men, however, remain focused and reach double digits with Alesiani and Guerrato, the latter in extra time. Irving's personal hat-trick updates the scoreboard to 11-4, but there is still time for goals by Ferrero on penalty, Giri on the counter-attack, and Giliberti in power play, before the final break.
The fourth period begins with another penalty awarded, this time for TeLiMar, with Giliberti converting from five meters to make it 13-6. Brescia, comfortable with the lead, slows down. Baldineti's team shows pride, with Bajic reducing the gap to 6 points. Then, Balzarini and Muscat exchange goals, the latter converting the sixth penalty awarded today, bringing the final score to 14-8.
Speaking after the match is vice-captain Andrea Giliberti, who scored 3 goals, including 2 penalties: “We knew it would be a very tough game, and it was. We suffered from their pressing and conceded too many counterattacks. We managed to get several exclusions, but we were not effective in power play. The only positive aspect is the prideful reaction in the last two periods. On the other hand, they are in much better shape than us, having already played around ten games, including important matches in European competitions. They have a different rhythm than us. This defeat is a wake-up call for us to increase our pace and raise our standards. It's a tough blow that can motivate us, giving us the right energy to train even harder for the next match, which will be a clash against a direct rival like De Akker”.
Italian male national water polo championship Serie A1 – 2nd round – AN Brescia vs TeLiMar 14-8
AN Brescia: Baggi-Necchi, Del Basso 1, Guerrato 1, Faraglia F. 1, Balzarini 2, Gianazza 1, Dolce, Giri 1, Alesiani 3, Ferrero 1 (pen.), Irving 3, Casanova, Borsarini – Coach: Alessandro Bovo
TeLiMar: Mandalà, Mangiante, Marini 1, Fabiano, Boggiano, Alfonso Pozo, Giliberti 3 (2 pen.), Muscat 2 (1 pen.), Lo Cascio, Bajic 2, Lo Dico, Pettonati, Holland, Giovinazzo – Coach: Marco Baldineti
Referees: Fabio Brasiliano, from Camogli, and Alessia Ferrari, from Genova – Delegate: Domenico De Meo
Quarters: 5-1; 3-2; 5-2; 1-3 – Exclusions: AN Brescia: 5/8 + 2 penalties (1 saved); TeLiMar 3/11 + 4 penalties
Notes: Faraglia (B) fouled out in the 4th quarter. Holland (T) saved a penalty shot by Dolce in the 2nd quarter.
Alessia Anselmo
TeLiMar Press Officer
