A1 M - TeLiMar ties 9-9 at Rari Nantes Florentia's home

Club Addaura starts strong, then the "gigliati" emerge in a match marked by balance

December 7, 2024 - A draw that satisfies everyone and no one at the "Goffredo Nannini" pool in Bellariva, between the home team of Rari Nantes Florentia and TeLiMar Palermo, in the ninth round of A1. Club Addaura had a good start to the match. The "gigliati" equalize during the second period, and the rest of the match is played point by point, ending in a 9-9 draw. The two teams remain tied in the standings with 11 points each. The next appointment for President Marcello Giliberti's men is next Saturday in the local derby against Nuoto Catania.

At the first opportunity, Giliberti earns a penalty and Muscat converts it for 0-1. The Maltese is dangerous in two other situations. The first attempt hits the post, while the second is a beautiful lob that surprises Cicali for a 2-0 lead. Minetti immediately uses the first of the two available timeouts to give instructions to his team after only 3 minutes of play. Upon resumption, while in a double man-up situation, Di Fulvio manages to shorten the distance. High pressure from Club Addaura, who distance themselves from the opponents first with a beautiful diagonal by Giliberti and then with Lo Dico, found free on the second post by Pettonati in extra player. Bini, today's captain of the "gigliati," adds another goal to close the first period at 2-4.

The second period saw another five-meter shot awarded to the Addaura Club by the Ligurian referee duo, once again converted by Muscat. The home team quickly responded, with Sordini scoring in an even-man situation and Borghigiani capitalizing on a two-man advantage to bring the team in white and red to 4-5. Mangiante immediately struck back on a man-up play, but the back-and-forth continued as Di Fulvio placed the ball in the corner for 5-6. Florentia completed their comeback with a penalty successfully converted by Sordini.

Returning from the halftime break, both teams made errors as they stretched their formations, with energy beginning to wane. At the height of the balance, Rari took the lead for the first time with a counterattack by Stocco. However, Baldineti’s men stayed focused, equalizing through Lo Dico during a two-man advantage. The Tuscan team, more effective in attack than earlier in the match, pulled ahead 8-7 with Turchini scoring on a power play. Marini, also benefiting from a man-up situation, restored balance by executing the instructions given by Baldineti during a timeout.

Everything was left to the final eight minutes of play, with Muscat taking responsibility and scoring on a man-up situation to achieve his personal fourth goal and put Palermo back in the lead. Di Fulvio, with a bit of luck, tied it at 9-9. The battle continued fiercely, but the match ultimately ended in a draw.

"An excellent first half, but then we let them catch up, making a few too many defensive mistakes and conceding a couple of unlucky goals. However, we needed to be more clinical—we should have been better both on man-up situations and in even-man play, taking more advantage of counterattacks. We really wanted to win, so we’re disappointed, but we move forward," commented attacker Riccardo Lo Dico in the immediate aftermath.

 Marcello Giliberti, President of TeLiMar:

"We started very strong, demonstrating our quality and excellent preparation. However, the numerous mistakes we made offensively allowed a never-give-up Rari Nantes Florentia to get back into the match. In the end, the draw was undoubtedly the result that objectively reflected the game’s flow. With fewer errors, we definitely would have won. Now, we shift our focus to the imminent home derby against Nuoto Catania, a match we cannot and must not lose."

Men's Serie A1 National Water Polo Championship – 9th Round
Rari Nantes Florentia vs TeLiMar: 9-9

Team Lineups and Highlights:

Rari Nantes Florentia:

• Players: Cicali, Borghigiani 1, Stocco 1, Di Fulvio 3, De Mey, Calamai, Turchini 1, Cardoni, Sordini 2 (1 penalty), Benvenuti, Bini 1, Hofmeijer, Gioia, Bambi
• Coach: Luca Minetti

TeLiMar:

• Players: Mandalà, Mangiante 1, Marini 1, Fabiano, Boggiano, Alfonso Pozo, Giliberti 1, Muscat 4 (2 penalties), Lo Cascio, Bajic, Lo Dico 2, Pettonati, Holland, Giovinazzo
• Coach: Marco Baldineti

Referees: Stefano Pinato (Nervi, GE) and Fabio Brasiliano (Camogli, GE)
Delegate: Marina Valdettaro

Match Summary:

• Quarter Scores: 2-4; 4-2; 2-2; 1-1
• Power Plays:
  • Rari Nantes Florentia: 4/12 + 1 penalty
  • TeLiMar: 4/8 + 2 penalties

Notes:

• Di Fulvio (Florentia) and Boggiano (TeLiMar) were ejected in the fourth quarter for mutual unsportsmanlike conduct.
• No players fouled out.

Alessia Anselmo
TeLiMar Press Official