Handball: in Serie A Gold Albatro Siracusa from triumph in Coppa Italia to today's challenge against Chiaravalle

The Serie A Gold of men's handball returns to the field after the Coppa Italia final that crowned Albatro Siracusa after the final won against Trieste, which took us back in time to the 1990s when Ortigia Siracusa and the team with the halberd were competing for trophies and championships.

Today at 3:30 PM (referees Della Fonte and Sclano) Albatro Siracusa will host Chiaravalle and there will be an opportunity for fans to see the trophy won in the Coppa Italia final in Riccione. An important match in terms of championship playoffs with Chiaravalle having managed to beat the Siracusans in the first leg (27-26) and not hiding their ambitions to grab one of the four spots that lead to the championship playoffs.

The 4 Siracusan players Riccardo Giuffrida, Daniele D'Alberti, Gianluca Vinci, and Davide Sortino with the Coppa Italia

Manager Andrea Cuzzupè, general manager Gabriele Di Stefano, president Vito Laudani, and manager Marco Bellavia (Albatro)

Albatro currently occupies third place with four points ahead of Bolzano and Trieste, who are in fifth place, so no mistakes are allowed starting from today's home challenge.

“Everything resets - emphasizes Mateo Garralda, the Spanish coach of Albatro Siracusa - the coach of the white and blues keeps repeating - returning to play after winning the Coppa Italia and a demanding weekend with three matches in three days is not easy. Chiaravalle is an important opponent and it won't be simple. The boys have spent a lot physically and are not at one hundred percent. For this reason, we must be strong mentally, ready to give our best and stay focused.”

Coach Mateo Garralda (Albatro Siracusa) with the Coppa Italia 2026

THE STANDINGS

Cassano Magnago 32 points, Sassari 26, Albatro Siracusa 23, Junior Fasano 22, Bolzano 19, Trieste 19, Chiaravalle 18, Conversano 17, Cingoli, Cologne 16, Pressano 16, Bressanone 13, Merano 9, Eppan 6.

SERIE A SILVER MEN

Today a large crowd is expected at the Palasport di Enna Bassa for the big match of the 12th round of group B, which will see Haenna led by Mario Gulino host the league leaders Romagna at 6 PM (referees Ciro and Luciano Cardone), with the two teams separated by just one point in the standings.

Guaranteed excitement, with Haenna having the best attack (371 goals) after Camerano and Romagna boasting the best defense with only 246 goals conceded.

D.S. Enzo Arena and Vice President Luigi Savoca (Haenna) 

“All the boys are aware of the importance of the match - commented Enzo Arena, D.S. of Haenna - and in these two weeks they have prepared with great focus. Now the field will speak, as it always does, as the impartial judge. My hope is that it will be, above all, a beautiful and fair match and that there will be a worthy crowd. The crowd represents the eighth man on the field for us and could prove decisive for the potential achievement of an important result.”

A formation of Cus Palermo by Gianni Tornambè

Cus Palermo led by Gianni Tornambè aims to consolidate its fourth place by hosting Monteprandone today (kick-off at 5:30 PM; referees Bertino and Bozzanga): the goal is to redeem the loss from the first leg and maintain their home unbeaten record after six victories so far at the PalaCus.

The relegation battle between Girgenti and Teramo has instead been postponed to the 21st.

THE STANDINGS

Romagna 19, Haenna 18, Camerano 18, Cus Palermo 14, Monteprandone 12, Teramo 9, Serra Fasano 7, Chieti 5, Girgenti 4, Sannio 4.

MEN'S SERIES B

The big match is between the unbeaten leader Albatro Siracusa N. G. of Angelo Bufardeci and Regalbuto of Salvo Cardaci, just two points from the top, with both teams having two games to recover: the Siracusans against the bottom team Nh Mascalucia (on the 28th) and the Enna team against Avola (on the 28th).

This will be a clash between the best attack in Series B, with Albatro scoring 453 goals in 11 matches, and the second-best defense of the Enna team, with 276 goals conceded (the leader is Aretusa with 270 goals conceded), and at stake are two important points to understand if the first slip of the season for Albatro N.G. in the Coppa Sicilia against Aretusa was just an episode.

Coach Angelo Bufardeci (Albatro Siracusa N. G.)

The match will be played today at 6:30 PM at PalaCorso (referees Dalla Fonte Sclano) right after the Serie A Gold Albatro-Chiaravalle match, with packed stands to follow the young talents of Aretusa, a pleasant surprise of the second division championship.

Coach Salvo Cardaci (Pallamano Regalbuto)

“We are going to Siracusa - confesses coach Salvo Cardaci - aware that we are facing a young team full of talent. Albatro, my friend coach Bufardeci's team, certainly needs no introduction: it is a solid team in every department with deep rotations. But we are not going away to just make up the numbers.”

GIANNI ATTANASIO NEW COACH OF AVOLA

It is worth noting the return to the bench of a Sicilian team by Gianni Attanasio, who after many experiences abroad (the latest in Malta where he won several trophies) is the new coach of Pallamano Avola, taking the place of Danilo Garofalo, who was forced to leave for work reasons.

Gianni Attanasio new coach of Pallamano Avola

THE SCHEDULE

Today, Il Giovinetto Petrosino-Th Mascalucia is also being played (17; referees Trapani and Romeo); Avola-Modica (16:30; referees Manuele and Manzella) and Alcamo-Nh Mascalucia (referees Giarratana and Pollaci). Tomorrow, the round will be completed with Albatri Siracusa Y.G.-Marsala (16:30, referees Manuele and Minciulla) and Pgs Villaurea Palermo-Aretusa (18; referees Giarratana and D’Annibale).

THE STANDINGS

Albatro Siracusa N. G. 22; Regalbuto 20; Aretusa and Marsala 18; Th Mascalucia 16; Albatro Siracusa Y. G., Avola and Pgs Villaurea Palermo 10; Petrosino 8; Modica 4; Nh Mascalucia 2.