A1 F – Trieste sensational, Sis beaten (10-8)
PAOLO ZIZZA: “WE PUT HEART AND CONCENTRATION INTO IT”
Sensational orchids! In the advance of the sixth day of the women's A1 series, at the "Bruno Bianchi" pool, Pallanuoto Trieste defeated Sis Roma 10-8. A prestigious success for the Samer & Co. Shipping-sponsored team that put the capital team under for the first time in the championship, remaining the only unbeaten team in the category and climbing to third place in the standings, trailing by -2 from the top with one game to recover. "A legitimate victory, against an opponent of undisputed value," explains coach Paolo Zizza. "We put our heart and the right concentration into it, seeking with all our strength the full result. This performance gives us further awareness of our abilities, we can compete with anyone."
Match report. The yellow and red team took a 0-2 lead with Di Claudio in power play and Ranalli (tap-in after hitting the post with a penalty shot). Gragnolati scored 1-2 with a player more advantage, Gual responded with a lob, Vukovic had a shot saved from 5 meters by Sesena: 1-3 at the end of the first period. It was a battle also in the second half. Gragnolati on counterattack brought the orchids back to -1 (2-3), the visitors went up by +2 with Cocchiere (2-4). A brace by Gragnolati equalized to 4-4 at halftime.
The third quarter was of rare intensity. Ranalli with a power play goal made it 4-5, Gragnolati was ice-cold from a penalty (5-5), Sparano saved Ranalli's penalty shot. Vukovic and the unstoppable Gragnolati pushed the orchids up by +2 (7-5), a brace by Chiappini brought Sis even: 7-7 with 8 minutes to go. In the fourth period, Trieste showed cynicism and great defensive application. Picozzi scored 7-8, then it was only the triestine players. Vukovic equalized (8-8), Gragnolati scored her 7th personal goal for 9-8, De March placed the ball under the crossbar for 10-8 with 2'04'' remaining. In the final moments, the Trieste defense was impeccable and repelled the last attacks from Sis. And the orchids could celebrate three valuable and well-deserved points.
The next match for Pallanuoto Trieste is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, against the reigning Italian champions, Orizzonte Catania, on their field (at 2:30 PM).
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE – SIS ROMA 10-8 (1-3; 3-1; 3-3; 3-1)
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Sparano, Citino, De March 1, Cordovani, Gant, Cergol, Klatowski, Colletta, Gragnolati 7, Vukovic 2, Matafora, G. Zizza, Apollonio, Kopsteva. Coach: P. Zizza
SIS ROMA: Sesena, Zaplatina, Gual 1, A. Aprea, Ranalli 2, Chiappini 2, Picozzi 1, Di Claudio 1, Papi, Centanni, Cocchiere 1, Carosi, Bottiglieri, G. Aprea. Coach: Capanna
Referees: Guarracino and Grillo
NOTES: Gant (T) and G. Zizza (T) exited due to exclusion fouls in the fourth period; in the first period, Ranalli missed a penalty (hit the post), in the first period Sesena (S) saved a penalty shot by Vukovic, in the third period Sparano (T) saved a penalty shot by Ranalli; Pallanuoto Trieste: 2/8 power plays + 2 penalties, Sis Roma: 3/12 power plays + 3 penalties.
Alessandro Scollo
Pallanuoto Trieste
Photo: Arianna Gragnolati, scoring 7 goals in the match against the yellow and red team
