Valletta WPC 5
SM Verona 19

(2-6, 2-5, 0-2, 1-6)

The Maltese team Valletta WPC lost their second Group B match from the LEN Champions League qualifying tournament when they were beaten by SM Verona 19-5 at the National Pool, yesterday.

The Italians, coached by Marco Baldinetti, were a superior outfit, with their edge in power and speed helping them to conduct the scoreline throughout and win handsomely.

Karl Izzo’s team battled as well as they could but could never keep abreast with the visitors who had Antonio Petkovic and Arnaldo Deserti in their ranks besides other quality performers.

Verona led 11-4 at the half-way stage and after that the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The international tournament comes to a conclusion this morning with the remaining two matches to decide which team reaches the next phase of the championship.

Valletta WPC: A. Borg Cole, N. Bugelli, A. Galea, L. Caruana, M. Meli, M. Zammit, R. Mock, J. Camilleri 1, E. Aquilina 1, A. Cousin 2, C. Mercieca, D. Zammit 1, N. Grixti.

SM Verona: V. Antonelli, A. Di Fulvio, A. Brambilla 1, F. Coppoli 2, T. Vergano 2, A. Petkovic 3, T. Busilacchi 2, M. Jelaca, C. Mirarchi 3; C. Bini 3, A. Razzi 1, A. Deserti 2, P. Oliva.

Referees: G. Haentschel (Germany), G. Vogel (Hungary).

Other result
VK Budva vs DIGI Oradea 7-7 (3-2, 1-2, 2-1, 1-2).

Playing today
9.30am SM Verona vs VK Budva;
10.45am Oradea vs Valletta WPC.