Captain of the Italian women's water polo team. Captains of the women's teams of the Russian national team and the Italian national water polo team ← Hodor. Why make something complicated that is simpler?

In the second match of the group tournament, our team beat the European champions Italians - 7:4. IN last match Alexander Kabanov's team will play the Australians tomorrow in the preliminary round.

Casanova. That's her name and she likes the word.
“The last name is like a last name,” shrugs the colorful captain of the Italian national team in the mixed zone. – Yes, and it’s convenient for you, journalists. You won't be confused with anyone.
Casanova is modest: it is basically impossible to confuse her with someone else. With a height of 190 cm, she is half a head taller than any teammate and twice as wide. According to official information, her weight is 100 kg, but the compilers of the directory clearly flattered her. By the way, Eliza is also the oldest participant in the women's water polo tournament: she will soon turn 39 and she is old enough to be a mother to some of her teammates.
“If the ball hits her, then it’s almost certainly a goal,” says our Olga Belyaeva. “Fortunately, she is no longer enough for a full match: she is released for a certain time, and she does what is required of her.

WHY MAKE WHAT IS SIMPLE COMPLEX?

At the match with the Russians, Casanova is not in the starting lineup. Rival coach Fabio Conti reserves it for critical moments of the match. Half of the quarter passes, and the teams fail to open the scoring: the opponents play much more confidently in defense than in attack. Only in the fifth minute of the game does Ekaterina Lisunova manage to clear the score on the scoreboard with a shot that bounces off the water.
The Italians play very rudely, ours do not allow themselves to be offended: during the break, Teresa Frassinetti sits on the bench with a bruise and a bag of ice under her eye. Conti throws Casanova into the fight. Eliza receives the ball with her back to the goal and, without looking at it, throws with her left hand, but hits the crossbar. It must be admitted that the Italians are unlucky: in the first half of the match they hit the posts six times.
Katya Tankeyeva shows Casanova that there is no point in making something complicated that is simpler, scoring from a turn - 2:0. Eliza's appearance does bring benefits: by pulling her two rivals in defense, she gives Giulia Rambaldi the opportunity to score.
The Russians made the decisive breakthrough in the third set: Lisunova, Belyaeva and Konukh brought the score to a devastating one. At the same time, in defense, our team gives the Italians a turn from goal over and over again. Our goalkeeper Anna Karnaukh plays beyond all praise.
Conti exchanges Casanova for Frassinetti and back, but this is of no use. Trying to save his tarnished reputation, the captain of the Italians begins to foul, almost drowning our Diana Antonova. This does not affect the course of the game in any way.
The day after tomorrow, in the match for first place in the group, the Russians will play with the Australians. Although there is no big difference who wins: all teams reach the quarterfinals, and unlike our group, where there is a clear outsider Great Britain, in the other four all teams are approximately equal - Spain, USA, Hungary and China.

KABANOV: ITALIAN WOMEN TRIED TO BREAK US

“The match was won on defense,” he believes Main coach our team Alexander Kabanov. – It was very important not to concede, and we succeeded: four goals is a minuscule number.
– How prepared were we for the opponent's rough play?
“They always play like that, it’s not surprising.” The Italians tried to break us, but we did not give in. And they don’t yet have any other way to beat us.
– In the end, the judges began to clearly sympathize with the Italians.
- Yes, they were obviously encouraged: they still want intrigue, an entertaining game, and we were leading with a difference of four goals. I am absolutely sure that the two penalties that were awarded against us did not happen.
...As Antonova passed by, your correspondent asked only one question: how did she feel after the collision with Casanova?
“I’m fine,” Diana smiled, confirming her words. – It will be tough in the next match: the Australians have every second one, like Casanova.

STATISTICS

Group B
Russia – Italy – 7:4 (1:0, 1:1, 4:1, 1:2)
Russia: Lisunova (3), Khokhryakova (1), Tankeeva (1), Belyaeva (1), Konukh (1).
Italy: Di Mario (2), Abbate (1), Rambaldi (1).
Team standings: 1. Russia – 4 points (2 matches). 2. Australia – 2 (1). 3. Great Britain – 0 (1). 4. Italy – 0 (2).
The UK-Australia match ended late yesterday evening.
Group A
Hungary – China – 11:10.
Team standings: 1. Spain – 2 (1). 2. USA – 2 (1). 3. Hungary – 2 (2). 4. Italy – 0 (2).
The match between Spain and the USA ended late yesterday evening.
Note. All teams in the group will continue to compete at the quarterfinal stage. In case of equality of points, head-to-head matches and goal difference are taken into account.

WELL WELL!

71-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE HOKETSU IS THE OLDEREST PARTICIPANT IN THE GAMES
Italian Elisa Casanova is the oldest in the water polo tournament, but the oldest participant in the 2012 Games is 71-year-old Japanese Hiroshi Hoketsu.
Hoketsu first competed at the Olympics in 1964 in Tokyo, but was only 40th in show jumping. After such a failure, the Japanese quit performing, although he continued to play sports for himself. He founded a pharmaceutical company and became successful in business. A few years ago, Hiroshi resumed competing - this time in dressage - and made it to the Olympic team for the Beijing Games. There he also became the oldest.
Hoketsu’s horse, by the way, is also not young: in London he will ride the 15-year-old Whisper. Hiroshi could easily break the Olympic age record, which belongs to the Swedish shooter Oscar Swan: at the 1920 Games he took silver at 72 years old. However, the Japanese is not going to Rio: “I would go, no problem, but Shepot will already be 19. What kind of athlete is he?!”

The Russian women's water polo team continued its unsuccessful performance at the Rio Olympics. On Saturday they lost their second match of three in the group stage. This time - to the Italians (5:10). The Championship special correspondent was among the journalists who stopped our team captain in the mixed zone - Ekaterina Prokofieva,

to understand what's going on. The quarterfinals with the Spanish women, in which everything will be decided, is the day after tomorrow.

- Today the game didn’t work out again - what’s the reason?
- If we talk about today’s match, the Italians put up a defense that we couldn’t “break”, plus a low percentage of shots taken - we can say that in this aspect we didn’t succeed at all. This is bad, what can I say. We alone are to blame for the defeat; there can be no excuses.

- What to do next?
- See where exactly we make mistakes in defense, where the mistakes come from. And, of course, we need to realize the chances that we create - without this nothing will happen. You just need to score goals when you have the opportunity.

- Do you agree that the team approached the start of the Olympics unprepared?
- I think that, despite these results, the team is improving. First of all physically. This is the main thing. In the group tournament we had the right to make a mistake; we could have lost those two matches - to the Australians and the Italians.

Suppose we had started at the top of our form and won all three games - what would be the point? Still, everything depends on the state in the quarterfinals

Well, suppose we had started at the peak of our form and won all three games - what would be the point? Still, everything depends on the state in the quarterfinals. This is the game we are now tuning into.

- In the quarterfinals the day after tomorrow you will play against the Spanish players - describe them.
- We have played with them several times recently - both won and lost. Experienced girls constantly work on their “pillar”, which makes them 50 percent of the entire game. I think our head coach already has ideas on how to neutralize it.

- How is the mood in the team - after all, defeats, even if they don’t really affect anything, hardly add anything positive?
- Of course, I would like other results. Victories always add confidence, but now they don’t exist. But it is what it is. I would like to believe that this will only add to our anger and aggression. The team really worked hard for this Olympics. We won't give up that easily, I promise.

- Men complained yesterday that...
- Yes, not only men, we all complain.

The team really worked hard for this Olympics. We won't give up that easily, I promise.

The water is really bad - cloudy, with a large amount of chlorine. My eyes hurt a lot. It's hard to concentrate on certain moments, it's hard to think about the game because it just hurts. This is not an excuse, the teams are in similar conditions.

Team coach Andrei Belofastov said that tomorrow they will take you to the Fan House to feed you dumplings and borscht.
- Is it true? A pleasant surprise. Indeed, we need to switch gears after games like this. There's no point in sitting around and grieving. We may not be in the best mood at these moments, but very soon we will have to throw all this out of our heads. And the native environment, I hope, will help.

The Russian women's water polo team failed to make it to the Olympic finals. In the semi-finals the team Alexandra Gaidukova lost to the Italian team. There was a chance for a different outcome, but it would have required more neutral judges, a higher percentage of shots taken and a little more luck. But there is one more match ahead, the most important one for Russian team at the tournament.

The Russian team got off to a fantastic start in the semi-final against the Italians. First, the captain of the Russian national team Ekaterina Prokofieva won the fight for the dropped ball, and the very first throw was executed Evgenia Ivanova reached the goal. The Italian attack ended with a double save Anna Karnaukh, and in a quick counterattack Olga Gorbunova hit the goal for the second time Julia Gorlero.

This start apparently discouraged our water polo players first of all. An error in defense allowed Arianna Garibotti shoot from an advantageous position, and half a minute later she evened the score with a long-range throw. Our team hit, the Italians responded, and then it was a completely equal game with mutual chances. The Russian national team acted very actively - until the end of the first quarter, our water polo players shot at Gorlero’s goal five more times, but the goalkeeper acted superbly, and the Italians blocked two shots.

Olympic Games. Water polo. Women.
Semi-final.

Russia – Italy – 9:12 (2:2, 2:4, 0:2, 5:4)

Goals for the Russian national team: Ivanova – 2, Lisunova – 2, Glyzina – 1, Prokofieva – 1, Lisunova – 1, Sobolev – 1, Grineva – 1.

Even refereeing errors on the part of the Spanish and Azerbaijani referees did not greatly affect the game. Although, of course, when instead of a penalty against Italy a couple of minutes before the end of the quarter, there was a sending off Anastasia Simanovich, it was unpleasant. After such a first quarter, there was even a glimmer of hope - maybe they could?

But already at the beginning of the second eight minutes, the Italians scored two quick goals and took the lead. And the Russian team still had an extremely low percentage of sales. And self-confidence has disappeared somewhere. Even a one-on-one meeting that was organized for Nadezhda Glyzina, was not implemented. However, ours did not give up. Noted twice for excellent and timely broadcasts Elvina Karimova, after which Ekaterina Lisunova and Glyzina tied the score. And again they missed an obvious violation of the rules and did not award a penalty.

But equality did not last long. Two long shots - and again the players Fabio Conti took the lead, and it happened at the very end of the quarter. In the third quarter, our girls were not able to throw a single ball at all - either the goalposts and crossbars, or the goalkeeper, or past. As a result, the implementation rate was only 32 percent, while in the quarterfinals with the Spanish team it was 44 percent.

The Italians used their chances twice, and the eighth goal against the Russian team was scored by the 37-year-old Tanya di Mario, which won the Olympics back in 2004. After her goal everything became clear. It was impossible to win back the four-goal handicap in such a game.

The Russian team did everything possible. Taking a place at the gate Anna Ustyukhina She saved the team several times, and they began to score goals in attack. Unfortunately, it was not possible to play defensively so as not to concede goals after our own goals. The Italians acted strictly according to the score and brought the match to victory. By the way, this season the Italian team beat the Russian team in all official matches.

The Russian team now faces a match for third place. The opponent will be determined in another semi-final between the national teams of Hungary and the USA. It is clear that after such a defeat, when on the whole the team played no worse, one might give up. But we need to get together, because the first and last time Russian water polo players became Olympic medalists in 2000. Then there was also third place, but then Russian water polo was at a much higher level.

If girls can achieve such a result now, it will be a resounding success.

“The last name is like a last name,” shrugs the colorful captain of the Italian national team in the mixed zone. – Yes, and it’s convenient for you, journalists. You won't be confused with anyone.

Casanova is modest: it is basically impossible to confuse her with someone else. With a height of 190 cm, she is half a head taller than any teammate and twice as wide. According to official information, her weight is 100 kg, but the compilers of the directory clearly flattered her. By the way, Eliza is also the oldest participant in the women's water polo tournament: she will soon turn 39 and she is old enough to be a mother to some of her teammates.

“If the ball hits her, then it’s almost certainly a goal,” says our Olga Belyaeva. “Fortunately, she is no longer enough for a full match: she is released for a certain time and she does what is required of her.

At the match with the Russians, Casanova is not in the starting lineup. Her rival coach Fabio Conti reserves it for critical moments of the match. Half of the quarter passes, and the teams fail to open the scoring: the opponents play much more confidently in defense than in attack. Only in the fifth minute of the game does Ekaterina Lisunova manage to clear the score on the scoreboard with a throw that bounces off the water.

The Italians play very rudely, ours do not allow themselves to be offended: during the break, Teresa Frasinetti sits on the bench with a bruise and a bag of ice under her eye. Conti throws Casanova into the fight. Eliza receives the ball with her back to the goal and, without looking at it, throws it with her left hand, but hits the crossbar. It must be admitted that the Italians are unlucky: in the first half of the match they hit the posts six times.

Katya Tankeyeva shows Casanova that there is no point in making something complicated when it is simple, scoring from a turn - 2:0. Eliza's appearance does bring benefits: by pulling her two opponents in defense, she gives Julia Lombardi the opportunity to score.

The Russians made the decisive breakthrough in the third set: Lisunova, Belyaeva and Konukh brought the score to a devastating one. At the same time, in defense, our team gives the Italians a turn from goal over and over again. Our goalkeeper Anna Karnaukh plays beyond all praise.

Conti exchanges Casanova for Frasinetti and back, but this is of no use. Trying to save his tarnished reputation, the captain of the Italians begins to foul, almost drowning our Diana Antonova. This does not affect the course of the game in any way.

The day after tomorrow, in the match for first place in the group, the Russians will play with the Australians. Although there is no big difference who wins: all teams reach the quarterfinals, and unlike our group, where there is a clear outsider Great Britain, in the other four all teams are approximately equal - Spain, USA, Hungary and China.

– Diana, how do you feel after your collision with Casanova? – question to Antonova after the match.

“I’m fine,” Diana smiled, confirming her words. – It will be tough in the next match: the Australians have every second one, like Casanova.

Captain of the Italian water polo team Elisa Casanova in the Sports Reporter program.

– Throughout my career I have had many different clashes with Russians. The first thing I remember is the game in 2007, I was still an unknown water polo player because I played in the A2 league. Only then did she move to A1 and take part in the Champions Cup. Then there was a game in Catania with the Kirishi team, which was considered the strongest at that time. We started, and there was one Russian there who was constantly pressing. I played in the center, I liked that game because I was often able to carry out attacks.

For the Russians, I’m sure it was a surprise: they didn’t know me before. I caused them a lot of pain in that game. Their game has always been based on pressing, and for me playing against the Russians is fun. They like to put pressure: you know, man against man, woman against woman. It was not so easy to complete the attack and score a goal, but it was always exciting because we practiced team play.

I'll tell you this, when I played in the center, I did my job. One person was not enough to take care of me. But I think they also enjoyed having such a rival. No, this is not despair. I saw the excitement when the smallest water polo player was going to take care of me. Of course she was worried. All the tricks that opponents could do to protect themselves from me were always done.

During my career, my nose was broken twice. Both times Russian girls did it: maybe it was such a combination, I don’t know. Water polo is a contact sport, where, of course, every now and then there is some kind of physical impact on the player. IN last years in water polo they even exert excessive physical influence on the player, there is less technique and more physics.

I think it’s sad because our sport is losing its appeal and its audience. It's hard to watch water polo if you've never played and don't understand what's going on in the pool. The same movement in the water can be assessed differently by spectators, players and judges. Whether you're playing offensively or defensively, one move can work in your favor or against you. This is one of the problems of water polo - there is little technique and a lot of physical combat.

– Beijing Olympics, game against Russia, last period of the match: I went on the attack, swam to the middle of the pool and, let’s say, my face collided with someone’s elbow. Of course, blood immediately started flowing from my nose. I immediately realized that it was broken. I felt a sharp pain, but they immediately put it back on me. You see what a beautiful nose I have, everything is fine now.

The second similar story is also connected with Russia. Champions Cup, again a team from the city of Kirishi, again my nose collided with someone’s elbow. Happenes. In the 20 years I've played water polo, I've never elbowed anyone in the nose, at least to the point of breaking it. But I want to note: I believe that this was an accident, I don’t want to say anything bad about the honesty of Russian athletes.

In recent years, water polo has changed a lot: first the physical impact, then the technique. Of course, in recent years I have also had to adapt. It happened that I defended myself in different ways, including not always honestly. Pinches and bites are, first of all, a player’s consciousness and sports education. Those who resort to such techniques should not engage in professional sports. Respect is the main thing in sports.

I don’t have any distinct scars, but once the skin on my finger was bitten off by a water polo player from the Hungarian team. I had the mark on my hand for a long time afterwards. I don't know, maybe she was hungry. Then the finger took a long time to heal: when you train every day in water, it’s difficult to keep your finger dry. For several years this finger was more sensitive than others.

It seems to me that Italy is a team that always plays very assertively. They approach every game with all the energy and ardor. With this, Italian women can compensate for the physical “defect” that they have in comparison with American women, for example, or Australian women. This is bearing fruit, because in recent years our team has collected enough trophies.

The toughest teams are America and Australia; they are physically superior to all other nationalities. They are bigger and stronger than most players. That's why Italians rely on aggression and ardor.

I saw a photo of how my hand was lying on the head of a Russian water polo player during the game. Soboleva, maybe I don’t remember. What can I say? The photographer is great. Of course, I didn’t do this intentionally, but I can’t deny it at all; there is documentary evidence. Of course, at that moment I was looking for the ball with my hand, not my head. I think there were other similar cases, but they caught me only in the moment with Soboleva.

It seems to me that Russians are more capable of water polo than Italians. You are a good swimmer, fast, and know how to time a game. The Russians prepare their reserves well, in other words, they are always ready for games. Playing with the Russians is like working full time: you wake up in the morning and think: “Damn, back to work.” It's not easy with them. I repeat, they are fast, with a good throw.

There were times when it seemed like they didn't want to play. Although I understand perfectly well that professional sports such a state cannot exist. Therefore, there were games in which it was not at all difficult to defeat the Russians; there was a feeling that they were giving up.

I remember the photo with blood on my face very well: this was my first game at the Beijing Olympics. Just when they broke my nose and at the same time gave me an abrasion on my face. But, you understand, my nose worried me more at that moment. I immediately went to the doctor so that he could put it in place for me and make it straight.

Italy presented itself on the world stage not only as the winner of a silver medal at the Olympics. This is one of the strongest teams in world water polo, at one time the wonderful Christiana Conti shone on our gates, our young players looked up to her, who have now grown up and are ready to defend the honor of the country. Thanks to serious international experience, they have gained confidence in themselves, which allows them to win a large number of games.

I stopped playing in the national team in 2012 after London, the Olympics were unsuccessful. Then she continued to play in Italy, in two years she won the Scudetto and the LEN Cup, by the way, against the Russian team. My last year I played in Rapallo, and then I finished. In June or May last year, I completed my career, became a Doctor of Economics, and still work in water polo. Now with numbers, keeping accounts, signing papers. I advise various sports and non-sports societies.

I finally returned to Genoa after 20 years of travel. I have never played in Genoa, always in other cities. I work here too sports center. I still smell bleach in the air, as you can imagine, even if I work with numbers now. I'm happy.

Photos of the announcement: RIA Novosti/Alexander Vilf