Youth Waterpolo5 July 2023

U18F: Scudetto finals kick off in Padua, Pallanuoto Trieste tries to do it

Games are being played between Thursday, July 6, and Sunday, July 9; eight teams are competing. Orchette in the round with Locatelli, Orizzonte and Como. Riccioli: "Opportunity to grow."

The Orchette give it a try. Between Thursday, July 6th, and Sunday, July 9th, the pool at the Plebiscito Sports Center in Padua will host the Under 18 Women’s National Finals. Eight teams are in contention, and Pallanuoto Trieste has been placed in Group 2 alongside Locatelli Genoa, Orizzonte Catania, and Como Nuoto. In Group 1, there are Plebiscito Padua, Rapallo Pallanuoto, Bogliasco 1951, and Sis Roma. The debut for the Alabardate girls is scheduled for Thursday at 7:15 PM against Locatelli, on Friday at 11:00 AM they will face Como Nuoto, and at 8:15 PM, there's the match against Orizzonte Catania. On Saturday morning, the eight contenders will face each other in the quarter-finals, with cross-matches based on the group stage rankings. In the afternoon, the semifinals, and on Sunday, July 9th, the finals, with the match for the national title scheduled for 12:15 PM. The team led by Isabella Riccioli and Paolo Zizza faces a tough challenge, having been impeccable in the semifinals and now attempting to repeat their success in an even more competitive environment.

"It will be very tough, we know it," explains Isabella Riccioli. "We have many underage girls on the roster, and for us, this is an excellent opportunity to grow and gain experience. Nevertheless, we have already shown that we can hold our own against high-level opponents. Our intention is to get in the water and do our best in every game."

Selected players for the Under 18 Women’s National Finals: Rebecca Apollonio, Emma De March, Anna Zoch, Elektra Bergamasco, Giulia Marega, Irene Folchini, Beatrice Zavattin, Sara Mecchia, Martina Portillo, Giulia Petrucci, Giulia Abbondanza, Alessia Apollonio, Maria Vittoria Gaspardo, Sofia Pinto.