Italy drops out after disaster against Serbia
The Italians’ comeback after eight years of EC abstinence didn’t last very long. On day two after a second crushing defeat against a team from the Balkans the tournament is over for Roberto Ciani’s boys. His team lost against Serbia 12:36 (5:16).
While Serbia played their first match against Italy the South Europeans already stood with their backs to the wall. Another defeat after the 12:32 against Croatia would mean the end of the tournament. But in spite of the looming drop out the Azzurri fought bravely against the favoured team from the Balkans and scored the first goal. The Serbians showed slight starting problems and lost against goalkeeper Giuseppe Cirrone repeatedly.
But the Serbian team acclimatised better and better in the course of the match. The turn-over in the lead to a five goal difference (7:2) were the logical consequence. Resounding in the front and safe in the back. First and foremost Bozidar Nikolic drove the Italians to despair. At half-time the favourites already led 16:5.
In the second half the boys from the Balkans were also dominant while the Italians accepted their fate. The defeat in the end was even more devastating than against Croatia. A fact that is not unimportant since for Serbia a tie against their neighbouring country would be sufficient for place one in group B.
Goals Serbia:
Barisic 4, Dordevic 2, Nikolic 10, Micanovic 4, Durakovic 5, Radojevic 5, Tutic 2, M. Tomicevic 3, D. Tomicevic 1
Goals Italy:
Ciani 4, Di Martino 2, Ponzo 4, Carta 2,
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