A1 F - SIS Roma Wins the First Roman Derby with Lazio (16-9)
SIS Roma claims victory (16-9) in the first Championship derby in the women's A1 water polo series against Lazio: a hard-fought win at the end of a challenging match, especially in the first two periods (8-8).
Later, SIS dominated (8-1 in the third and fourth periods) to secure the match and remain at the top of the leaderboard, tied with Orizzonte Catania.
Next Saturday, December 7 at 6 pm in Ostia, at the Federal Center "Freccia Rossa" of Fin, the clash between the two league leaders is scheduled: a matchup that has characterized the top women's water polo league in recent years.
The atmosphere of the derby between Lazio and SIS Roma, between Acilia (where Lazio chose to play) and Ostia (home of SIS Roma) gave a different flavor to the match, which, on paper, seemed predictable given the difference in the standings.
However, Lazio managed to contain the leader, matching blow for blow and even finding itself with a surprising 6-4 lead in the second quarter, along with a penalty saved by Sesena. Then, after responses from Di Claudio and Chiappini, Lazio even took the lead 8-6 with a goal from Mataafa.
With 2 minutes and 30 seconds left, the game changed, SIS regrouped, began enjoying the game again, and in the final two minutes of the period, reached a tie, and in the other two periods collected an 8-1 lead that left no room for a comeback, confirming the difference in skill in the water.
From a tied score at half-time (8-8), it ended with a 16-9 result, allowing SIS to continue its march at the top of the league.
The derby atmosphere, where the less experienced team often finds more motivation and delivers unexpected performances, fired up both Lazio and SIS, with the latter showing some nervousness and wastefulness, slowing down the yellow and red team's momentum.
SIS wrote another chapter in its history, winning the first league derby against the "cousins" and demonstrating the maturity and composure to recover and find their game and balance. A rough start can happen, and now the focus is on the big match against Catania.
It is not a decisive match as the playoffs are still far away, and teams like Trieste, Rapallo, and Padova also need to be considered until the end. However, the Capanna girls aim for the top spot, as having the advantage of playing at home could facilitate the final stages of a very balanced season.
The stars of the derby were Mataafa, a troublesome player for SIS's defense, and Sara Cantanni, who also scored five goals to boost the yellow and red team. The Russian player Zaplatina also hit the target three times.
"I must commend Lazio for playing an excellent game." - acknowledged SIS Roma's coach Marco Capanna - "I did not like how we performed as a team. Additionally, in the first two periods, I saw a nervous and disconnected team, an attitude that favored our opponents who took advantage of it. In the first two periods. In the other two, the team found its rhythm and rose to the occasion, and on this, I have nothing to say, but I must repeat that I was bothered by the attitude in the first two periods of the game."
"When facing unexpected difficulties, we must come together, unite, and support each other, an attitude that a team should have, and I did not see that, a condition on which we need to work on. Now we must relax and prepare well for the match with Catania. We aim to finish this first part of the season on a high note, which we began with the right motivations and the winning spirit of the team, achieving positive results in all the competitions we are involved in." - he added.
MATCH SUMMARY
SS LAZIO NUOTO - SIS ROMA 9-16
(4-4; 4-4; 0-3; 1-5)
SS LAZIO NUOTO: G. Acerbotti, I. Falso, G. Di Marcantonio, C. Ioannou 3, L. Boldrini, M. Esposito, C. Tori 1, C. Lomonte, S. Rugora, L. Mataafa 5, F. Troncanetti, A. Rovetta, S. Lucherini, China. Coach: I. Spagnoli
SIS ROMA: O. Sesena, E. Zaplatina 3, A. Gual Rovirosa, A. Aprea 1, C. Ranalli 2, I. Chiappini 1, D. Picozzi 1, L. Di Claudio 2, L. Papi 1, S. Centanni 5, A. Cocchiere, S. Carosi, G. Bottiglieri, S. Rossi. Coach: M. Capanna
Referees: Paoletti and Iacovelli
Man-up situations: Lazio 2/8 + a missed penalty by Tori in the second period (saved) and Roma 8/9
Notes: Approximately 400 spectators
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