A1 M - TeLiMar wins the derby against Nuoto Catania: in Terrasini it ends 14-12
The TeLiMar Palermo wins the most classic derby in Sicily, against Nuoto Catania with a score of 14-12. In the tenth round of A1, at the "Pietro Giliberti" pool in Terrasini, the match was played behind closed doors due to the lack of usability of the stands. The Addaura Club starts well, building a significant lead that reaches its peak at +5 at the end of the second period. Then, as the home team perhaps relaxes too much, the team from Catania emerges, capable of reopening the game until bringing it to -1 three times, towards the end of the third quarter and in the last eight minutes of the game, which were lived with bated breath by both teams. Despite being without four players due to fouls given against them by the refereeing team, Baldineti's men manage to refocus, drawing on their last energies to secure 3 crucial points for morale, looking ahead to the early match on Tuesday against Pallanuoto Trieste.
THE MATCH
After a couple of chances neutralized on both sides, Bajic unlocks the score with a beautiful diagonal shot to Rossi's left. The Etna team reacts immediately, skillfully exploiting the extra man advantage with left-hander Ferlito. Lo Dico responds in the power play. Good pressing from the home team, who struggle to convert in attack. The score is extended to 3-1 with Lo Cascio, assisted by Muscat. The red and blue team shortens the gap with Riccardo Torrisi capitalizing on the man-up situation. TeLiMar earns a penalty shot, but from the five meters, a foul is whistled on Giliberti for not respecting the distance. Lo Dico scores shortly after in extra player, assisted by Mangiante, to bring the home team to 4-2. Alfonso stretches the lead, getting free from the marking for 5-2, which closes the first period.
In the second quarter, Nuoto Catania is still dangerous on the power play with Riccardo Torrisi. Giliberti responds on equal terms, then Alfonso extends the lead again, turning well and signing the 7-3. Pettonati sets up Giliberti in the center, who shoots on the fly for 8-3. Catania finds the 8-4 at the end of the man-up situation. In a counterattack, Lo Dico, served by Pettonati, completes his personal hat-trick, bringing the Addaura Club to 9-4 with 14 seconds left before the long interval.
The second half of the match starts with a red card for Ferlito for violent play. TeLiMar doesn't take advantage, on the contrary, they concede a goal on the counterattack in extra player by Russo. Russo repeats the feat shortly after again in extra player for 9-6. Bajic earns a penalty. This time Giliberti doesn't miss and converts to bring the Palermitan team to double digits. The Etna team doesn't give up and with goals from Riolo first, and then Russo and Vukicevic in extra player, they definitively reopen the game. Alfonso, found at the end of the power play on the post 5 by the usual Pettonati, tries to distance the opponents at 11-9. Vice-captain Giliberti earns another penalty, but this time from the five meters, he fails to angle the shot, an easy prey for Rossi.
TeLiMar, with a Palermo-style pulling force, sees Giliberti find Lo Dico for the 12-9 that opens the last 8 minutes of the game. Russo converts from the five meters, while the Addaura Club loses valuable pieces like Mangiante, Muscat, and Giliberti due to fouls limit, while Fabiano is expelled for violent play. The clock ticks and Marini, in a 3vs2 situation, tries to make the decisive break. Catania in the counterattack keeps the hopes of the Etna team alive, signing the 13-12. In the most delicate moment, a penalty is earned by Alfonso. Lo Dico steps up and converts from the five meters for the 14-12 that ends the match.
"In the third period, we lowered our concentration a bit - comments the center forward, Tomás Alfonso Pozo - however, what was important was the result, and in the end, we got it. A derby is always difficult, especially after the last two games that left a bitter taste. We needed this boost to finish this first part of the championship on a high note. Today's victory was crucial for a mental perspective, to face the last three matches of the first round knowing that we can compete against any opponent."
Marcello Giliberti, TeLiMar President: "The victory was never in doubt against an unyielding Nuoto Catania, who made our lives really difficult. We were perfect in the first two periods in both defense and attack, showing a spectacular game with really commendable goal movements. Then we stopped, allowing the men of the very good coach Peppe Dato to get closer. However, we managed to close the match with a deserved victory in the end. We now leave to play the early match on Tuesday in Trieste, where we have nothing to lose, hoping for a performance with more continuity than in the last three matches, in which we gained 4 points nonetheless. I hope to be able to play again in January with the support of our fans because in this way, with empty stands, it really makes no sense compared to the effort that, as a Club, we put into keeping our team in A1, among the top in Italy."
Italian male national water polo championship of Serie A1 - 10th round - TeLiMar vs Nuoto Catania 14-12
TeLiMar: Mandalà, Mangiante, Marini 1, Fabiano, Boggiano, Alfonso Pozo 3, Giliberti 3 (1 pen.), Muscat, Lo Cascio 1, Bajic 1, Lo Dico 5 (1 pen.), Pettonati, Holland, Piscitello – Coach: Marco Baldineti
Nuoto Catania: Rossi, Biocanin, Torrisi R. 2, Vukicevic 2, Gulisano, Foti, Torrisi G., Orlando, Catania 2, Russo 4 (1 pen.), Ferlito 1, Riolo 1, Akmalov, Trimarchi – Coach: Giuseppe Dato
Referees: Massimo Calabrò, from Macerata, and Marco Ercoli, from Montelparo (FM) – Delegate: Giovanni Lo Dico
Quarters: 5-2; 4-2; 2-5; 3-3 – Power plays: TeLiMar 3/10 + 4 penalties (one penalty failed due to distance not respected, and another saved); Nuoto Catania 9/15 + penalty
Notes: Red card for violent play to Ferlito (C) in the III quarter, Fabiano (T) in the IV quarter. Excluded for fouls limit: Mangiante, Giliberti (T), Gulisano (C), Muscat (T) in the IV quarter. Giliberti (T) missed a penalty shot in the I quarter (distance not respected). Rossi (C) saved a penalty from Giliberti in the III quarter.
Alessia Anselmo
TeLiMar Press Officer
