The stakes were high. Against Brescia, Nice needed to change their dynamics in the Champions League to regain a second wind after losing four games. Mission failed, as it was the visitors who won 9-11.
The Nice water polo players did not disgrace themselves. But when things don’t go your way, they just don’t. The statistics from the previous two matches were frightening. Szolnoki (17-4) and Olympiacos (15-2) highlighted the gap that separates Nice from the elite of team sports in the pool. However, the nature of the game this time was different.
The opening score in the first quarter was by Nice’s Monneret. The equalizer, two minutes later, came from Paskovic. That’s all for these first eight minutes, which were animated by a few temporary exclusions.
The next quarter was more exciting and its development was revealing. On one side, the difficulty for Nice to offer a game of European level. On the other, a motivation with a commendable persistence. Brescia took the lead 1-2. Then 1-3. One might think the script was written, yet Olympic Nice Natation did not give in, and although they conceded two more points, they ended the second period with a flourish, scoring two goals to bring the score to five all.
The third quarter was the opposite of the previous one. Full of hope with Nice being able to catch up to 8-8, they eventually faltered, ending at 8-10. The last period concluded with two more goals for Brescia against one for Nice, final score 9-12. A smaller difference than in the previous matches but which ends with the same outcome: zero points and a wooden spoon.
