Italy in World League Super Final

Reigning world champions and last year's finalist Italy have qualified for the 2012 FINA World League Super Final. In the preliminary round 4, played on Tuesday, Italy defeated Russia 4-10 in Kirishi, Russia to take the definite first place in group A. Heading into the final quarter with a 4-6 lead, the Italians walked away in the final phase. Alex Giorgetti (pictured) scored a game-high 3 goals while Niccolo Figari, Arnaldo Deserti and Christian Presciutti netted two each. Romania reached to an important 8-6 win over Greece at the home town of Oradea. Centre-forward Cosmin Radu and his teammates remained undefeated and made a big step towards qualification for the Super Final out of group C. Georgios Ntoskas scored the 3-6 in the third quarter before the home team made a big comeback behind goals from Nicolai Diaconu, Tiberiu Negrean, Radu (2) and the winner by Andrei Busila with just over a minute to play. Greece got changes but could not convert on two occasions. Later on that evening, Spain did what it had to do by beating Turkey 5-14 in Istanbul. Top scorer for the 2009 World Championships finalist was lefthander Xavi Garcia scoring four goals. Both Felipe Perrone and fellow-lefthander Blai Mallerach netted three.

FINA World League 2011-2012

Europe Preliminary Round - Round 4

Tuesday February 14

Germany vs. Croatia 6-11 (2-3, 1-2, 2-3, 1-3)

Tuesday February 21

Russia vs. Italy 4-10 (1-2, 2-3, 1-1, 0-4) - at Kirishi (Group A)

Romania vs. Greece 8-6 (1-1, 2-4, 1-2, 3-0) - at Oradea (Group C)

Turkey vs. Spain 5-14 (1-6, 0-2, 2-2, 2-4) - at Istanbul (Group C)

The standings are now as follows:

Group A:

1. Italy 3 - 9 pts
2. Russia 3 - 3
3. Great Britain 2 - 0

Group B:

1. Croatia 3 - 8 pts
2. Germany 3 - 4
3. FYRO Macedonia 2 - 0

Group C:

1. Romania 4 - 12 pts
2. Greece 4 - 6
3. Spain 4 - 6
4. Turkey 4 - 0

World League Super Final in Almaty, Kazakhstan (June 12-17)


Photo Henk Swinkels