A1 F - Trieste wins on Rapallo's field (12-13)

PAOLO ZIZZA: "PERFECT FOR LARGE STRETCHES OF THE MATCH"

Prestigious victory for Pallanuoto Trieste. In the fourth round of the women's Serie A1 championship, at the Municipal Swimming Pool, the team sponsored by Samer & Co. Shipping defeated Rapallo Pallanuoto 12-13, overcoming a direct rival on their home turf and thus climbing to third place in the standings. "We have conquered three very important points on an extremely difficult field and against a strong opponent," explains coach Paolo Zizza. "We were practically perfect at the beginning, then conceded too much in the third period. However, we had the maturity to keep our nerves steady and were good at capitalizing on all the opportunities we created in the last quarter."

The match. Citino scores the 0-1 after 60'', and Cabona ties the game (1-1). Gragnolati scores in a powerplay (1-2), Bianconi equalizes (2-2), before Gragnolati's goal with the extra man makes it 2-3 after the first 8'. The second quarter also favors the visitors. Guya Zizza and Gragnolati convert penalties to put Trieste up by 3 (2-5). Bianco and Galardi try to keep the Ligurians close (4-5), De March pushes the Alabardate to +2 in a double powerplay (4-6). Koptseva turns around at the 5m (4-7), Vukovic with a long-distance shot and Gragnolati make the visitors' biggest lead: 4-9 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the home team aggressively gets back into the game. Kudella, Galardi, and Ballesty with an extra player reduce the gap (7-9). Ballesty extends the Ligurian break for the home team to trail by 1 (8-9), Zanetta scores the temporary tie (9-9). The visitors react with Citino's outside shot (9-10), but Ballesty equalizes: 10-10 with 8' to go. The fourth period is a true nerve-wracking battle. Vukovic gives Trieste breathing room (10-11), Marcialis responds (11-11). Koptseva signs the 11-12, but the Ligurians reply with Zanetta (12-12). Vukovic puts the team on his shoulders and seals the final and precious 12-13 with 3'27" left.

Now the European stage returns. On Saturday, November 16, the visitors will be playing at "Bruno Bianchi" in the first leg of the women's Euro Cup quarter-finals against Keruleti Tve (at 18:30).

RAPALLO PALLANUOTO - PALLANUOTO TRIESTE 12-13 (2-3; 2-6; 6-1; 2-3)

RAPALLO PALLANUOTO: Caso, Zanetta 2, Di Maria, Bianco, Marcialis 1, Lombella, Galardi 2, Cabona 1, Kudella 1, Grasso, Bianconi 2, Ballesty 3, Santapaola, Solimano. Coach: Antonucci

PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Sparano, Citino 2, De March 1, Cordovani, Gant, Cergol, Klatowski, Colletta, Gragnolati 4, Vukovic 3, Matafora, Guya Zizza 1, Apollonio, Koptseva 2. Coach: P.Zizza

Referees: Nicolosi and Rizzo

NOTES: Exits due to exclusion fouls for Gragnolati (T) and Gant (T) in the third period, Cabona (R) and Colletta (T) in the fourth period; Rapallo Pallanuoto powerplay goals 6/15, Pallanuoto Trieste 6/12 + 1 penalty

Alessandro Scollo
Pallanuoto Trieste