Paris 2024 Olympics, Italy-Hungary: the fury of Sandro Campagna and Paolo Barelli
Paris 2024 Olympics, Italy-Hungary: the fury of Sandro Campagna and Paolo Barelli
Italy men’s water polo coach Sandro Campagna and federnuoto president Paolo Barelli are furious after the penalty shootout defeat against Hungary in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games tournament. In particular they resent the referees, who through the Var system annulled Condemi’s momentary 3-3 goal by sending him off for violent play.
"I don’t want to think about bad faith – says Campagna – Scientifically è violent play is impossible when a player shoots. È impossible because é you are shooting, you are focused, you make the gesture and you cannot hit the opponent. È it was an unacceptable decision. Maybe the blood might have impressed, but in water polo you canò cut yourself even with a finger”.
“From the expulsion onwards we played an epic, extraordinary, wonderful game. Heart, determination, head, courage: it was all there and I am sorry it was not enough. Among other things, the best shooters missed penalties, unfortunately it can happen. È it is difficult to accept. Had we lost a game on penalties without such an episode I probably would have analyzed even the small weaknesses or mistakes we made. Recovering such a game and directing it on the tracks of victory I think is an extraordinary thing. I can’t blame the boys for anything. I am really proud to be their coach".
"The refereeing decision involving Condemi è scandalous,” Barelli recoiled.
It distorted an Olympic match watched by millions of people who must be wondering how an act of total incompetence is possible. The use of VAR should guarantee certainty, instead it distorted a match that could have been an extraordinary showcase for international water polo. What è happened è unacceptable and the refereeing component should see sense. I would like to extend congratulations to the team, staff and players, who would have deserved to enter the semifinals for the quality of the game expressed. The Settebello concludes a four-year period, however, wonderful and crowned, among other things, by two world silver medals".
