Champions League - Orizzonte Team beats UVSE Budapest 12-10
Orizzonte Team wins the battle against Hungarian team UVSE Budapest and immediately secures three points in the first day of the Women's Water Polo Champions League Group D.
This afternoon, the Catania team delivered a great performance, coming from behind to defeat the Hungarians 12-10 at the Nesima pool (CT) in front of their fans.
Heart and character from Orizzonte Team led by coach Martina Miceli, supported on the sidelines as always by president Tania Di Mario and assistant coach Renato Caruso, managing to close the initial gap after the first two quarters, won by the Hungarians 4-3 and 3-2. The comeback of the red and blue team came in the third quarter, won by the home team 4-2, with the final victory secured thanks to the last part, won 3-1 again by Orizzonte Team.
Bronte Halligan was the top scorer of the match with five goals, while Dafne Bettini and Charlize Andrews scored twice each. Chiara Tabani, Gaia Gagliardi, and Morena Leone also found the back of the net once each.
At the final whistle, the coach of Orizzonte Team expressed great satisfaction for his players' performance, adding a special mention and thought: "We played against an exceptional team - Martina Miceli said - which has an enviable background, always investing in young talents with very resilient athletes. We were at their place a couple of weeks ago to train together, and they really impressed me because despite having a young roster, they never give up. We knew today would be tough, and I believe their team will become one of the best in Europe in a few years. We believed in ourselves from the beginning and we know our journey has just begun. Ours is an almost new team, as we always have at least two or three elements in the water that are new additions, so we still need to create and find an important bond. But I really like these girls; they have a huge learning attitude, which is crucial for a coach. Also, today they showed to be a team with guts, and I congratulate each one of them because I think they had fun. I had fun coaching them, even though I shouted a lot, as it is normal, but then we won and therefore we are very happy. Each one of them gave their best, starting from Bronte Halligan, whom we certainly don't discover today and who I believe is one of the strongest players in the world. Today was her first match as captain in Europe, and I think this performance has a double meaning for her. Today's game was our first international match without Giuseppe La Delfa, who admired Bronte, and I believe he also gave her a great push from above."
In the second day of Group D, Orizzonte Team will play on Saturday, November 9, in Hungary against BVSC Manna, another Hungarian team in the same group as the Catania team.
The red and blue team will return to Serie A1 on Saturday, November 2, at 6:00 PM, for the local derby against Brizz Nuoto.
MATCH SUMMARY:
Orizzonte Team-UVSE Budapest 12-10
Quarters: 3-4, 2-3, 4-2, 3-1
Orizzonte Team: Celona, Halligan 5, Jutte, Viacava, Giuffrida, Bettini 2, Andrews 2, Tabani 1, Gagliardi 1, Hardy, Longo, Leone 1, Condorelli. Coach: Miceli
UVSE Budapest: Magyari, Aubeli 1, Hajdu 1, Golopencza N., Lendvay 1, Varro, Baksa 2, Farago 3, Szegedi 1, Tiba 1, Macsai, Peresztegi-nagy, Golopencza S. Coach: Benczur
Antonio Costa
Communication Manager at Orizzonte Team
photo of the red and blue team (PH Salvo Barbagallo)
