With fewer difficulties than could be expected in the continental water polo classic, Spain got rid of Italy with greatness (7-4) and will compete in the final of the European Championship in Zagreb in search of its most elusive gold, the one it has not managed to win. . It will be on Tuesday against the winner of Hungary-Croatia.
Whoever it is, David Martín’s team will reach the final as one of the fittest teams in the world, after sweeping Settebello in a very serious match, with skill and a marvel: Unai Aguirre who stopped 14 of the 18 shots Italians. An atrocity.
Spain’s start in the semi-final against Italy could not have been better. With solidity and an air of a strong, convinced team, David Martín’s players took the lead after 54 seconds with a goal from Felipe Perrone, the tireless captain. It was followed by three consecutive stops by Unai Aguirre, who consolidated the good defense in M ??and in the national team’s zone, and extended the Spanish dominance by Alberto Munárriz’s 2-0 lead assisted by Marc Larumbe. Italy closed the gap with 2 minutes remaining with a goal from Velotto in superiority after the expulsion of Unai Biel. Even so, Spain was leaving very good feelings due to its consistency and initiative in the game.
In the second quarter, Álvaro Granados, the best Spanish and European scorer, appeared to score 3-1 after 35 seconds. The one from Terrassa stayed in the air to cross his 17th goal in the tournament and put Spain in a more comfortable position. The good sensations were further enhanced by Blai Mallarach’s great goal, 4-1, with a whip with his left foot, and the next two saves, 9 in 10 shots (a brutal 90% effectiveness), from a huge Unai Aguirre who It made the Settebello pitchers desperate.
Alberto Munárriz made it 5-1 with 19 seconds left in a penalty that was saved by Marco del Lungo, but even so, Spain was much superior and had the duel on track.
After going through the locker room, David Martín’s team secured the victory with a very serious fourth in defense, thanks to the area around Unai Aguirre, who was still full of energy, with three more stops (for a stratospheric 12/13). Italy crashed once again against the Spanish wall, and Àlex Bustos increased the lead to a practically definitive 4 from 5-1 with which he closed the third quarter.
There were only 8 minutes left to reach the final. A last stretch of the game in which Spain could not swim calmly. It went from 5-1 to 6-4 with 4m30 left due to two goals from Condemi and another from Di Somma from a penalty that reduced the score. But the team has a captain who does incredible things, and Perrone invented a fabulous goal to establish the 7-4 that gave air, followed by Aguirre’s 13th save, from a shot by Di Fulvio, with 3m30s remaining, and the 14th to Di Somma. The Barceloneta goalkeeper went into ecstasy and Spain entered its fourth European final in search of the most elusive gold, the one it has never won.
David Martín commented at the end of the match: “It was a masterclass for both teams. It has been very difficult, we have only conceded 4 goals, but we scored 7, Italy is very strong. We have offered a spectacle to the spectators, and I am very happy to reach the final. These games are decided by details and we have been better in small things,” indicated the Barcelona coach.
Spain: Aguirre, Perrone (2), Sanahuja, Munárriz (1), Larumbe, Granados (2, 1p), De Toro; Cabanas, Unai Biel, Mallarach (1), Bustos (1), Roger Tahull.
Italy: Del Lungo, Fondelli, Luca Marziali, Echenique, Di Fulvio, Di Somma (1p), Bruni; Hams, Velotto (1), Dolce, Condemi (2), Renzuto Iodice.
Quarters: 2-1, 2-0, 5-1, 7-4.
Pool: Zagreb.
