France and Spain won the seventh edition of Haba Waba International Festival, the most important event in the world of youth water polo, organized by Waterpolo Development “supported by” FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation), LEN (European Aquatic) and FIN (Italian Swimming Federation). With a public of about 2,000 people Natacio Club Barcelona (under 11 tournament) and the Cercle de Marseille Nageurs (tournament under 9) were awarded of the title 2014 . The Spanish team won in the final against Swim Academy Pagani by a score of 5-2, while the French team won 7-2 against the defending champions of Mirmidoni Salerno, in the rematch of last year. Both finals have been directed by Filippo Gomez and Dante Saeli, and have had the partecipation among others of Bartolo Consolo, chairman of the FINA’s Commission for the Development of Water Polo, the testimonial of the event Valentino Gallo (with his mother Anna Fantini, “Golden Mama” of the event) and Gianni De Magistris, guest of honor at the event. According to tradition, were not played finals for the third place, which was awarded ex aequo to the other four teams of two tournaments: Blue Team Catania and Arechi Invicti (third team from Salerno in the top eight) in the Under-11 tournament, and Plebiscito Padova and Academija Kotor in the Under 9 tournament. In the evening, in the Sports Hall of the Village Ge.Tur, the closing ceremony with the participation of all 120 participating teams. Lucio Pisani, president of the Waterpolo Development: “Everything went in the best way. The satisfaction of the participants were unanimous, the numbers are really record. ” The Festival, in fact, has hosted nearly 3,000 people, to be exact 2986: 1352 players, 194 coaches, 1168 family members of young athletes, 66 guests, 95 members of the staff, 21 referees.
