Euro Cup Women Final-Four, Trieste surrenders to Plebiscito. The cup goes to the Venetians

Seven victories and only one defeat, but it was the fatal one. In a "Bruno Bianchi" arena practically bursting at the seams with warm and noisy support, Pallanuoto Trieste was defeated 10-8 by Plebiscito Padova in the final of the Female Euro Cup Final Four. The European adventure of an extraordinary group ends in tears, yet they can still be proud of the journey they've made this season. The team sponsored by Samer & Co. Shipping gave their all, but it wasn't enough to overcome a strong and clinical opponent. "A real pity - analyzes coach Paolo Zizza - we fought until the last second and came so close to a historic milestone. We're very disappointed at this moment, but we have great motivation to regroup and return to play a final in front of such a crowd." "This is how finals are - comments captain Lucrezia Cergol - we lacked something to achieve our dream. It's tough now, but we look ahead; today's match must represent a starting point for further growth."

The match report. Plebiscito takes an early 2-0 lead with Yaacobi in power play and Casson. Trieste responds and levels the score with captain Cergol and Gragnolati: 2-2 at the end of a tense first period. It's a battle possession after possession. In the second period, Meggiato scores in power play (with a deflection) for 3-2, Colletta ties with the extra man (3-3). A venomous shot by Millo gives the Venetians a new lead (4-3), Cordovani escapes on the counter and scores the 4-4 just before halftime. The third period favors the visitors, who pull away to 7-4 with goals from Meggiato, Yaacobi, and Schaap. A diagonal shot by Guya Zizza in numerical superiority brings the hosts back within two (7-5), but Bacelle scores on a counterattack with the extra man: 8-5 with 8 minutes left, a decisive break. In the fourth quarter, Gragnolati converts a penalty for the -1 (8-7), but Millo chills the "Bianchi" with the 9-7. Cordovani with a splendid "scarf" goal brings the orchette back into contention (9-8). However, the equalizer doesn't come, and with 24 seconds left, Yaacobi seals the deal with the 10-8 that sends the cup to Veneto.

PLEBISCITO PADOVA - PALLANUOTO TRIESTE 10-8 (2-2; 2-2; 4-1; 2-3)
PLEBISCITO PADOVA: Teani, Bacelle 1, Cassarà, Schaap 1, Queirolo, Casson 1, Millo 2, Yaacobi 3, Al Masri, Meggiato 2, Sgrò, Grigolon, Pozzani. Coach Posterivo
PALLANUOTO TRIESTE: Sparano, Citino, De March, Cordovani 2, Marussi, Cergol 1, Klatowski, Colletta 1, Gragnolati 3, Vukovic, Riccioli, G. Zizza 1, Ingannamorte. Coach P. Zizza
Referees: Wengenroth (Sui) and Cakmakoglu (Tur)