Destiny of the last quarterfinal was almost settled right in the beginning of the match – after the first period the Russians already led the score 5:0. The first ball in this match of the Italian water polo players was netted only in the third quarter, on the 20th minute of the main game time. It was obvious that Fabio Conti’s trainees could not «get back to the game» any more after completely ruined beginning of the game.

     Fabio CONTI, the head coach of the Italian national team: - We knew that it would be a very difficult match, as the Russian national team is, certainly, one of the tournament strongest teams. It was a strange game as we lost a lot right at the beginning, and then could not make up leeway anymore.

     Mikhail NAKORYAKOV, the head coach of the Russian national team: - We met very strong team which had won the European championship at this age one year ago. And then in a semi-final the Italian team had beaten us. Probably, today in the beginning of the game they were too nervous, and we could take advantage of it. But, once we relaxed slightly the Italian national team proved their power, having reduced score gap …

     ITALY: Teani, Barzon (2), Dufour, Emmolo, Queirolo (1), Pomeri, Maggi, Sgenzerla, Tagliaferry, Verde, Giachi, Lagcialanda (3), Falconi.

     RUSSIA: Karnaukh, D.Antonova (1), Prokofyeva (2), Karimova (1), A.Antonova, Nuhova, Zelentzova (1), Belova (3), Savchuk, Bogdanova, Ivanchishina (3), Kurochkina, Yadryshnikova.