Serbia – Italy 11:13 (2:4, 2:3, 0:4, 7:2)
“Ana Čučković” Pool. Referees: Budramis (Greece), Kun (Hungary). Player over: Serbia 10 (4), Italy 8 (5). Two players over: Serbia 1 (0), Italy 2 (0). Peterci: Serbia 3 (2), Italy 3 (2)
Serbia: Filipović, Mandić 3, S.Rašović 1, Randđelović 1, Lukić 1, Lazić, Pljevančić, N.Jakšić 1, Murišić, Dedović 1, P.Jakšić 1, Gladović, Glušac, Martinović 2.
Italy: Del Lungo, Carnesecchi, Alessani 1, Del Basso 2, Ferrero 3, Di Soma 3, Dolce, Giannaza, Iochi Grata 3, Bruni, Condemi, Antonucci, De Michelis, Balzarini 1.
Serbia suffered a defeat to Italy in the “Trebinja Cup” (4:2, 3:2, 4:0 2:6). The team’s performance, until the last quarter, was weak, lacking energy and, let’s repeat, in the first three quarters there was no segment that coach Stevanović could be satisfied with. An attack without an idea, shots from difficult positions made goalkeeper De Michelis the player of the match. In a word – bad. In the last eight minutes everything was better but not enough to avoid defeat. Ćuk, Vico, Viktor Rašović and Drašović were not in the team.
On the other hand, the new Italian team, maximally aggressive, on the verge of fouling, showed that they will not be an easy opponent at the European Championship. With two victories on the first day of the tournament, the Italians secured a place in the final.
Italy started more aggressively, more organized and more efficient. After three minutes it was 3:0 for the Campania boys. In the middle of the quarter, Randjelovic used an extra player. Grata immediately responded. Serbia only played more concretely in the final minutes. Lazic and Dedovic, after good actions, earned five-pointers. Martinovic scored the first, but De Michelis saved a shot from the indisposed Strahinja Rašovic in the last second.
It didn’t get any better in the second half. The Italians continued to play aggressively, the difference in shots was large in favor of the Serbs. The opponent scored from a clear play, Serbia scored two goals with one player more, one from the penalty spot and one from the play through Mandić. De Michelis defended excellently. Filipović replaced Glušac after three minutes of play in the second quarter, he saved a penalty spot and then a difficult shot. At halftime, the Italians were plus three.
Italy dominated the third half. Serbia continued the game without attacking, the rival dominated, scoring four more goals without much effort. In the final eight minutes, Serbia finally broke free and with an efficient game managed to mitigate the defeat. In the last eight minutes, the drunk players improved their impression, scoring more goals than in the previous three quarters.
In the morning matches, Italy defeated Spain 18:16 on five-pointers, Greece was better than France 17:16. In the evening program, Hungary defeated Greece 12:9.
On Sunday, France and Hungary will play at 6:15 PM, while Serbia and Spain will play at 8:30 PM.
