Euro Cup M – Thursday in Lavagna Pro Recco vs Szolnok

First against second in the group, Pro Recco – Szolnok is only the third day of the Euro Cup but holds significant value in terms of qualification and leadership (the group winner faces one of the fourth-placed teams from the Champions League in the Round of 16, while the second-placed team faces one of the third-placed teams). The ligurians lead with six points, one point ahead of the Hungarians who are still undefeated in the first 14 matches of the season.

It will once again be the Lavagna pool – kick-off at 20:45 – the venue for the match against the Hungarians, who come from two convincing victories against Vasas and were victorious in the Euro Cup against Duisburg and Mladost after penalties.

"A very important match because we are playing at home and winning would put us ahead of the contenders – words from Matteo Iocchi Gratta -. Szolnok is coming from a great period, with two wins against Vasas, the last one with a wide margin, so they will arrive in Italy with great motivation and confidence. They are very good in the offensive phase, shooting, and power plays, they have physicality in the two meters and an excellent goalkeeper. We are growing after the fluctuating start in Budapest and at Lavagna, which I personally really like as a pool, we will try to take the three points. On a personal level, I struggled after the long post-Olympics break, which I really appreciated mentally; I hope to improve further because I had some less brilliant performances."

Iocchi Gratta's cowboy-style goal against De Akker was one of the best in this early season: "I started doing it when I was 14-15 years old, inspired by Milos Cuk who was trying the shot with a fake 'lazo'. It really confuses the goalkeeper, which is certainly positive for the attacker, but it is not easy to execute because you have to maintain verticality and a contracted abdomen to not lose your legs and risk shooting into the sky."

The match will be broadcast live on Euroaquaticstv.com. Tickets, priced at ten euros, are available for purchase at the pool. The match will be officiated by Greek Boudramis and Serbian Milovic.

Press Office Pro Recco Waterpolo
Photo Credit Schenone