A1 M - Pro Recco reaches Scudetto Final
The Pro Recco continues its winning streak in the fifth derby of the season, reaches the Scudetto final, and secures qualification for the upcoming Champions League. Only good news comes from Savona for Pro Recco, who defeats "Zanelli" 8-9 (with doubles from Iocchi Gratta and Hallock), repeating the victory of 13-8 in game 1. The first game of the Scudetto final will be played on May 6, yet to be determined if against Brescia or Trieste, while the decisive game will be on May 1.
Pro Recco blocks two Savona power plays early in the game, with Del Lungo making a miraculous save against Patchaliev. However, the white and blue players do not miss their first power play opportunity as Hallock comfortably pushes the ball into the net assisted by Di Fulvio just after the second minute of play. In the third minute, Erdelyi equalizes for the home team with a six-on-five. The Italian champions remain composed, and a magical play by Condemi in the fifth minute puts Sukno's team back in the lead (1-2). The Sicilian also provides the assist for Iocchi Gratta, who converts an extra-man opportunity gaining a +2 lead just 16 seconds before the buzzer.
In the second half, the white and blue team waste two power plays while Savona capitalizes on Echenique's expulsion with Patchaliev scoring from position 4 in the middle of the second half (2-3). Nicosia blocks Younger with Merkulov receiving his second major foul, but Haverkampf, on the second post, scores to make it +2 following Patchaliev's exclusion (2-4). The white and blue team is again successful in a power-play situation as Cannella scores diagonally from position 4 to secure a +3 lead after sixteen minutes of play.
Savona shortens the gap with Erdelyi converting a power-play opportunity in the first minute of the third period. Pro Recco also capitalizes on a six-on-five situation as Di Fulvio finds Durik on the post (3-6). Del Lungo makes a fantastic save on Erdelyi during a double exclusion, and the white and blue defense nullifies two more Savona power plays. The Pro Recco goalkeeper denies Rizzo's counter-attack shot, and with 1.5 minutes remaining, Di Fulvio, with the man advantage, extends the Italian champions' lead to +4. There's still room for one more goal, scored by Gullotta from an outside shot with less than a second remaining (4-7).
Merkulov scores the 5-7 one minute into the fourth quarter exploiting Fondelli's exclusion. The Russian player punishes Pro Recco again on the power play (6-7). Di Fulvio's volley shot hits the post, but Iocchi Gratta capitalizes on the rebound from Vavic in the pit to make it 6-8 with four minutes left. Rizzo hits the post on a penalty shot, but Merkulov brings Savona within one, again on a power-play, with 150 seconds remaining (7-8).
The tension rises in the water, Bruni fouls Iocchi Gratta and gets ejected. Hallock scores from the post with a minute and twenty seconds left to secure a +2 lead. Fifty seconds from the end, Merkulov scores from position 5 with Cannella in the pit. Pro Recco is awarded an exclusion but doesn't score, leaving Savona with twelve seconds. Angelini calls a timeout and sends Nicosia forward, but Rizzo's equalizing goal comes only after the final buzzer. Pro Recco celebrates at "Zanelli" once again.
Sandro Sukno: "We are in the final; we've achieved our seasonal goal, but we aim to keep going forward. I'm satisfied with today's match, it was competitive, with high intensity. We managed it well until the fourth quarter, then we struggled a bit defensively, conceding some avoidable goals. I was expecting a tough challenge like this; now we will recover our energies and wait for our opponent."
RN Savona-Pro Recco Waterpolo 8-9
RN Savona: G. Nicosia, N. Rocchi, L. Damonte, M. Vavic, D. Occhione, V. Rizzo, D. Merkulov 4, L. Bruni, B. Erdelyi 2, M. Guidi, A. Patchaliev 1, A. Gullotta 1, N. Da Rold, T. Cora. Coach Angelini
Pro Recco Waterpolo: M. Del Lungo, F. Di Fulvio 1, Durik 1, G. Cannella 1, A. Younger, A. Fondelli, N. Presciutti, G. Echenique, M. Iocchi Gratta 2, J. Larsen, F. Condemi 1, B. Hallock 2, T. Negri, Haverkampf 1. Coach Sukno
Referees: Colombo and Guarracino
Quarters: 1-3, 1-2, 2-2, 3-1.
Bruni (S) ejected for misconduct at 6'16" of the fourth quarter. Larsen (P) fouled out at 4'32" of the third quarter, and Fondelli (P) at 5'13" of the fourth quarter. Rizzo (S) misses a penalty shot (hits the post) at 4'33" of the fourth quarter with the score at 6-8. Approximately 800 spectators.
Press Office Pro Recco Waterpolo
