A1 Mens16 November 2023
Euro Cup: Primorac secures victory against “Bianchi” with a 10-12 score, Trieste misses qualification
The match was decided in a chaotic fourth quarter, with the Montenegrins scoring two goals in the last minute. Daniele Bettini: "We didn't capitalize on our chances." Andrea Brazzatti: "Let's start believing in ourselves again."
In the fourth day of the group stage in the Men's Euro Cup, at the "Bruno Bianchi," Pallanuoto Trieste was defeated by Primorac Kotor with a score of 10-12. A loss that prevents the Samer & Co. Shipping-sponsored team from qualifying for the knockout stage. With two rounds left to play, the Group D standings have Primorac leading with 9 points, Panionios with 8, Ortigia with 6, and Trieste with 1. "We had our chances, but we didn't take advantage of them," explains coach Daniele Bettini. "We absolutely need to do better; we need more ruthlessness and greater attention." "This season, we haven't had a good connection with Europe," analyzes the sports director Andrea Brazzatti. "Today, at times, we played good water polo, but it wasn't enough. We need to start believing in ourselves again; everything else doesn't matter. And Saturday against Catania will be another battle."
Captain Petronio is absent due to suspension, replaced by Liprandi wearing cap number 3. Bettini starts Caruso in goal, and the match is fiercely contested from the beginning. Marziali scores 1-0 after 1'26'', Markovic equalizes, and Perov, with a man advantage, puts the visitors ahead (1-2). Valentino's tracer equals 2-2, Mrsic on a penalty makes it 2-3 with 14'' left in the first period. The counter-attack is sporadic. Marziali invents 3-3 from the post, and Buljubasic deposits the ball under the crossbar for 4-3. Primorac responds with Vico's 4-4 from the post and Perov's 4-5 in double numerical superiority. Montenegrins lead by +1 at the end of the first half.
The game intensifies in the third quarter. Valentino equalizes with a man advantage (5-5), Cetkovic and Vuckovic push Primorac to +2 (5-7), Marziali, with another superb move from the post, scores 6-7. But the red card is shown to the armored number 10. Mrsic penetrates to two meters for 6-8, Buljubasic earns a penalty converted by Dasic (7-8), 15'' later Mrsic again scores on a penalty (7-9). Then, 8'' before the end of the period, Stanojevic is fouled brutally: Mladossich scores the penalty for 8-9, and Primorac is left with one man less for 4'. In a chaotic fourth quarter, Trieste struggles to exploit the extended power play, which results in Dasic's 9-9. With 2'49'' remaining, Mladossich diagonally delights the "Bianchi" fans (10-9), a joy that lasts 20'', the time it takes for Brguljan to equalize (10-10). The last minute is fatal for the home team. The former Vico earns a penalty that Mrsic scores for 10-11 with 46'' left, Markovic, with an open goal, seals the result at 10-12 just 1'' from the end.
On Saturday, November 18, they are immediately back on the field in the Men's Serie A1 Championship, awaited by Nuoto Catania (4:00 PM).
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE - PRIMORAC KOTOR 10-12 (2-3; 2-2; 4-4; 2-3)
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Oliva, Podgornik, Liprandi, Buljubasic 1, Vrlic, Valentino 2, Dasic 2, Mezzarobba, Razzi, Marziali 3, Bini, Mladossich 2, Caruso. All. Bettini
PRIMORAC KOTOR: Kralj, Brguljan 1, Markovic 2, Gopcevic, Mrsic 4, Lambie, Perov 2, Kastrop, Vico 1, Vuckovic 1, Petkovic 1, Stanojevic, Islajamovic. All. Maslovar
Referees: Teixido (Spain) and Bourges (France)
Captain Petronio is absent due to suspension, replaced by Liprandi wearing cap number 3. Bettini starts Caruso in goal, and the match is fiercely contested from the beginning. Marziali scores 1-0 after 1'26'', Markovic equalizes, and Perov, with a man advantage, puts the visitors ahead (1-2). Valentino's tracer equals 2-2, Mrsic on a penalty makes it 2-3 with 14'' left in the first period. The counter-attack is sporadic. Marziali invents 3-3 from the post, and Buljubasic deposits the ball under the crossbar for 4-3. Primorac responds with Vico's 4-4 from the post and Perov's 4-5 in double numerical superiority. Montenegrins lead by +1 at the end of the first half.
The game intensifies in the third quarter. Valentino equalizes with a man advantage (5-5), Cetkovic and Vuckovic push Primorac to +2 (5-7), Marziali, with another superb move from the post, scores 6-7. But the red card is shown to the armored number 10. Mrsic penetrates to two meters for 6-8, Buljubasic earns a penalty converted by Dasic (7-8), 15'' later Mrsic again scores on a penalty (7-9). Then, 8'' before the end of the period, Stanojevic is fouled brutally: Mladossich scores the penalty for 8-9, and Primorac is left with one man less for 4'. In a chaotic fourth quarter, Trieste struggles to exploit the extended power play, which results in Dasic's 9-9. With 2'49'' remaining, Mladossich diagonally delights the "Bianchi" fans (10-9), a joy that lasts 20'', the time it takes for Brguljan to equalize (10-10). The last minute is fatal for the home team. The former Vico earns a penalty that Mrsic scores for 10-11 with 46'' left, Markovic, with an open goal, seals the result at 10-12 just 1'' from the end.
On Saturday, November 18, they are immediately back on the field in the Men's Serie A1 Championship, awaited by Nuoto Catania (4:00 PM).
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE - PRIMORAC KOTOR 10-12 (2-3; 2-2; 4-4; 2-3)
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Oliva, Podgornik, Liprandi, Buljubasic 1, Vrlic, Valentino 2, Dasic 2, Mezzarobba, Razzi, Marziali 3, Bini, Mladossich 2, Caruso. All. Bettini
PRIMORAC KOTOR: Kralj, Brguljan 1, Markovic 2, Gopcevic, Mrsic 4, Lambie, Perov 2, Kastrop, Vico 1, Vuckovic 1, Petkovic 1, Stanojevic, Islajamovic. All. Maslovar
Referees: Teixido (Spain) and Bourges (France)
