Italy-France will never be a normal challenge. During the Roman night, the spotlights turn on the Stadio del Nuoto to welcome the summer that will lead us to the Paris Olympic Games. On June 21st at 9.00 pm, with free entry, the legendary Settebello will sharpen their weapons in view of the five-round match with one of the teams on the best team in the world: France coached by Bruzzo and supported by the totem who is also former Settebello world champion Michael Bodegas. France, who were oliympic champions in a home edition in 1924, has changed and built a lot until reaching an incredible fourth place at the World Cup in Doha. The best result in French history, when they first beat trophy holder Hungary in the quarter-finals, then lost in the semi-final on penalties against Croatia, and in followed by the "final" of third place with european champion of Spain.
Italy are world vice champions with the dream that goes out in the final when the Croatian Buric converted an extraplayer action at five seconds from the finish line, making the match 11-11. The fatal penalties were errors by Echenique and Di Fulvio after Del Lungo had saved Fatovic's shot. However, there are no regrets for the Italian team who are looking forward to the most important event with confidence: the Paris Olympic Games, which they will reach with the third final in four editions of the world championships and the European bronze won in january. A teammate now at the top, which plays on par with all the strongest teams and has included two young players in the team such as Francesco Condemi, heir to Francesco Di Fulvio (best player of the tournament), and Iocchi Gratta, an excellent modern centre.
The water polo tournaments at the Paris Olympic Games will take place from 27 July to 11 August 2024. The group stage matches are played at the Paris Aquatics Centre, while the final stage is hosted by the Paris La Défense Arena. Twelve teams are competing in the men's tournament, while ten teams are competing for medals in the women's tournament. Among the men there are two round-robin groups of six teams, from which the top four teams qualify, then continues with the direct elimination phase from the quarter-finals. Among the women there are two round-robin groups of five teams, from which the top four teams qualify for the quarterfinals. At Tokyo 2020, Serbia won gold among the men and the United States triumphed among the women.
Foto Pasquale Mesiano / DBM