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Another disappointment for Italy’s men’s water polo team at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. In the semi-final for fifth place, Settebello fell 8-12 to Montenegro, and will now contest the 7th-place playoff against the United States on Thursday 24 July at 10:00 local time.
It was a nightmare start for the Azzurri, with Montenegro racing to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to two goals from Macic and one from Kholod. Italy finally got on the scoresheet in the second period through Ferrero with a man-up goal, but Gardasevic quickly replied. Di Somma found the net, only for Vuckovic to restore a three-goal cushion. After another goal from Di Somma, Montenegro pulled away with strikes from Gardasevic and Cetkovic, stretching the lead to four at 3-7.
In the third quarter, Obradovic added to the Montenegrin advantage, Cassia responded, but Vuckovic extended the gap once more to 4-9. In the final eight minutes, Del Basso scored early on, Cetkovic replied, then Di Fulvio struck from range—but Montenegro pulled away again with two more goals from Vuckovic, making it 6-12. Late efforts from Presciutti and Di Fulvio reduced the margin, but the damage was done: Montenegro claimed the win 12-8.
“It’s a wound that hasn’t healed, especially considering how it happened,” said head coach Alessandro Campagna post-match. “We’ve worked hard these past days to lift the group, but I wasn’t able to do it. I’m sorry.”
Reflecting on the loss, Campagna added: “A disappointing result, especially because the game slipped away just when we were starting to play well. The performance wasn’t terrible—we created chances—but we lacked the finishing, the quality, and the decisiveness. It’s not easy to find motivation for these types of games, for anyone.”
