A1 M – La De Akker falls in Naples: ends 13-9 against Posillipo

The chase of De Akker Bologna towards the fourth place is interrupted in Naples against Posillipo. 13-9 the final score, in the eighth day of the top water polo championship, with Bologna never in the game. Shocking start with Mistrangelo's boys conceding a goal in the first minute and finding themselves trailing 5-0 in no time. Difficult to attack for the Bolognese team, stopped in the first quarter often by dubious fouls in attack, and certainly too permissive in defense. Only Gallo's goal two minutes before the end gives the first joy to Bologna. The first quarter ends 6-1. The second half starts well for De Akker with Luongo's goal, but halfway through Rocchino is found in the center for 7-2. In the next play, Luongo is expelled in an offensive move making the match even more challenging, as Mattiello in the following play extends the lead to 8-2. Bragantini shortens the gap to 8-3 ten seconds before the end of the quarter, in a game that Posillipo starts to control from the second quarter. The home team continues to score consistently and Bologna offers little resistance, as the third quarter ends 12-6 with Bologna's goals by Condemi and Cocchi's double, already thinking about the next match on Saturday at Carmen Longo against Vis Nova Roma to get back on track. In the final quarter, Condemi fights and first scores to make it 12-7, then steals a ball and goes alone for 12-8. Briganti scores 13-9 and Abramson responds. The last few minutes are just to reach the end and quickly forget an afternoon that started badly and ended worse.

"Games like these can happen - said coach Federico Mistrangelo at the end of the game - especially in a championship as balanced as this year's. But we can't start so poorly, this is definitely our fault. At the same time, we like to play water polo, others are very good at simulating. Referees should pay more attention. We are a very fair team and I find it hard to accept three direct expulsions in two games. The important thing is to reset immediately and think immediately about the match with Roma, who are having a great championship."

Matteo Fogacci
De Akker Press Office