Italian
The women’s water polo national team loses to Australia 15-14 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. On Friday, they will face China for fifth place
SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – It was not an easy match from the outset, given that the Azzurre were facing the Olympic silver medalists. It was even less so considering that this quarter-final of the World Cup was being played at the Sopac (Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre).
Yet the Setterosa comes out with its head held high after a hard-fought and challenging match decided by the extraplayer and the performance of center forward Kearns, who scored four goals. A poker also for the blue Bettini. Italy has been chasing since the first minute and equalizes with Papi for 12-12 six minutes from the end. Ironically, it is the Roma player Hearn who scores the winning double.
Now the Azzurre will face on Friday, July 24 at 11:30 local time (3:30 AM Italian time) the China who lost 14-8 to the United States. The latter will meet the hosts in the first semifinal. The two-time European champion Netherlands was surprisingly eliminated after losing to Russia 11-6.
The declarations
These are the words of the head coach Maurizio Mirarchi: “We played a great match with strong competitiveness. We fought until the last ball and perhaps we could have done better in the final action. These matches help us grow a lot, especially considering the level of the opponents who are Olympic silver medalists and played in front of a very large home crowd. We honored the match until the end and now we focus on finishing the tournament in the best way possible“.
The scorecard
Italy-Australia 14-15
Australia: Palm, Ballesty, Fasala, Halligan 1, Green, A. Andrews 2, C. Andrews 2, Hearn 2, Daly, Williams 2 (1 penalty), Kearns 4, Jackovich 1, Longman, Lambert 1. Coach: Rippon.
Italy: Nigro, Tabani 1, Leone, Cordovani, Gant, Giustini 2, Bianconi 1, Bettini 4 (2 penalties), Ranalli 2 (1 penalty), Cocchiere 2, Gagliardi 1, Sesena, Papi 1, Mantellato Dias. Coach: Mirarchi
Referees: Sajben (Hun), Marquez Mas (Esp)
Notes: partial scores 3-3, 4-5, 4-3, 3-4. In goal Sesena for Italy. In the third quarter Longman in goal for Australia; Palm replaces him at 7:00 of the third period. Green (A) fouled out at 3:40 of the fourth period. Power plays: Italy 5/14 +3 penalties, Australia 8/10 + 1 penalty. Approximately 2000 spectators.
The calendar
Wednesday, July 22
Quarter Finals – time Sydney (-8 hours in Italy)
USA – China 14-8 (5-4, 2-0, 3-0, 4-4)
Netherlands – Russia 6-11 (2-2, 1-2, 1-2, 2-5)
Italy – Australia 14-15 (3-3, 4-5, 4-3, 3-4)
20:15, Spain – Hungary
Friday, July 24
semi-finals for 5th-8th place – Sydney time (-8 hours from Italy)
11:30 China-Italy
13:15 Netherlands-
Semifinals
18:30 USA-Australia
20:15 Russia-
Photo Credits: Federnuoto.it
