The Settebello was defeated by Spain 11-9. The Azzurri - who were eliminated by Hungary in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic men's water polo tournament - will play the final for seventh and eighth place tomorrow at 7:35 p.m. against the loser of the match between Greece and Australia, scheduled for 6 p.m.
Today's meeting was preceded by a resounding protest from Italy.
After World Aquatics rejected two appeals regarding refereeing decisions in the quarter-final defeat against Hungary, the Azzurri today listened to the anthem with their backs to the judges' table before the match against Spain, valid for the classification from fifth to eighth place.
Immediately after the start of the match, coach Campagna called a time-out to allow Francesco Condemi to receive the applause of his teammates and the public.
Italy also played the first four minutes of the match deliberately with one man less, again in protest after the 4-minute expulsion inflicted on Condemi for “brutality” against Hungary. During this time, the Settebello practically did not play, conceding three goals, until they resumed with full ranks.
(Online Union)
