A1 F - Trieste defeated by Orizzonte Catania (9-12)
PAOLO ZIZZA: "DEMONSTRATED THE RIGHT ATTITUDE"
A more than positive performance is not enough. In the postponed match of the seventh round of the return phase of the women's Serie A1 championship, Pallanuoto Trieste was defeated by Orizzonte Catania with a score of 9-12. A setback that does not affect the standings, with the Samer & Co. Shipping-sponsored team remaining in fifth place and already mathematically qualified for the quarterfinals of the playoffs. "I liked the attitude tonight," explains coach Paolo Zizza. "We played on par with an opponent of considerable value, despite some key absences. The girls showed character, but we struggled with low conversion rates in extra-man situations and certainly some fatigue."
The match report. Zizza rested captain Cergol as a precaution, with Giulia Abbondanza (born in 2008) making her first call-up to A1 in her place. De March started her personal show (1-0), the Catania team responded with goals from Hardy and Bettini twice: 1-3 at the end of the first period. The balance continued in the second quarter. Gagliardi scored to make it +3 on a man-up situation (1-4), De March scored the 2-4. Bettini scored from five meters (2-5), Guya Zizza and Koptseva added oxygen for the Orizzonte girls (4-5). Bettini restored the +2 lead for the visitors (4-6) before Gant's goal: 5-6 at halftime.
The battle continued in the third quarter. Andrews scored with an extra player (5-7), De March from distance made it 6-7. Orizzonte extended the lead to +3 with goals from Andrews and Bettini (6-9), Gragnolati and De March reduced the disadvantage to 8-9 with 8 minutes left. In the final period, energy levels dropped and Orizzonte took control of the match with goals from Bettini and two goals from Andrews (8-12), with De March pulling one back for the final score of 9-12.
The Orizzonte team will return to the pool on Saturday, March 29 at the Passetto to face Vela Ancona (at 6:00 PM).
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE - ORIZZONTE CATANIA 9-12 (1-3; 4-3; 3-3; 1-3)
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Sparano, Citino, De March 5, Cordovani, Gant 1, Abbondanza, Klatowski, Colletta, Gragnolati 1, Vukovic, G. Zizza 1, Apollonio, Kopsteva 1. Coach: P. Zizza
ORIZZONTE CATANIA: Celona, Halligan, Di Mario, Viacava, Giuffrida, Bettini 6, Andrews 4, Tabani, Gagliardi 1, Hardy 1, Longo, Leone, Condorelli, Jutte. Coach: Miceli
Referees: Paoletti and Alfi
NOTES: Exclusions for accumulated fouls for Colletta (T) in the third period and Jutte (O) in the fourth period; in the fourth period, Condorelli (O) saved a penalty shot from Gragnolati; Power plays - Pallanuoto Trieste 1/10 + 2 penalty shots, Orizzonte Catania 6/15 + 1 penalty shot
Alessandro Scollo
Pallanuoto Trieste
In the photo: Emma De March, scored 5 goals against the Sicilians
