A Beacon for Master Water Polo

Naples confirms itself as the capital of master water polo, having hosted the Italian championships in the welcoming setting of the FIN Federal Center at the Scandone pool. The Neapolitan teams, the pride of Maurizio Marassi, who is not only the coach of the M60 and M65 Nuoto 2000 Napoli teams but also the true driving force of the master movement in the Neapolitan city, triumphed. The field proved him right: the M65 team, coached and captained by him, dominated the tournament, winning the Italian title after an almost perfect elimination round (three wins and a draw) and after defeating the strong opponents of Europa Sporting Roma, among whom Adrian Muntean, 70 years old and not feeling it, stood out, being named the best player of the tournament and top scorer.

This is the M65 team: Schenone, Muntean, Ionescu, Scebba, Severino, Marassi, Nardi, Rapallini, Mancusi, Cametti, Cims, De Gennaro, Marchese, and Galassi V.

No less significant is the journey of the M60 team, also forged by Marassi, which won a well-deserved bronze medal. Although it failed to defend last year’s title, it decisively beat Torino 81 (later champions in the final) and overcame the tough Europa Sporting, winner of the group, in the third-place final. M60 team: Frodà, Imperatrice R., Rossomandi, Sciaccaluga, La Torre, Crovetto, La Sala, Grillo E., Guarino, Fonzi, Esposito R., Savasi, Falanga, and Margarita.

Alongside Maurizio Marassi, the silent but decisive work of Renato Galassi, coach of the M55 team and tireless organizer of the entire master group throughout the year, is no less important. Galassi is the logistical and relational pillar of the movement: he schedules training, manages communications, handles registrations and memberships, and oversees the integration of new athletes. Under his guidance, the M55 team won a prestigious bronze, improving on last year’s fourth place and demonstrating cohesion, sportsmanship, and ambition. M55 team: Leone, Licastro, Scivicco, Silvestri, Giovannini, Esposito P.M., Carbone, Bottiglieri, Avegno, D’Alò, Rosiello, De Vito, Galassi, and Princigalli.

Marassi and Galassi form a winning, complementary, and synergistic tandem: one is the technical-tactical architect, the other the organizational and motivational director. Their work has transformed Naples into a reference model for Italian master water polo, capable of combining victories, passion, and sportsmanship.