The victory over Germany is not enough, for Constantini-De Zanna a very bitter world elimination

A very bitter end to the World Championship, given how things had turned out, for Stefania Constantini and Francesco De Zanna who came very close to qualifying for the final phase (therefore being among the 6 teams still competing out of the 20 registered) of the specialty world championship in Oestersund.

The record of 6 successes and 3 defeats is not enough as a balance sheet to go beyond fourth place, before those excluded from the fight for medals after a final day of group A which saw the Azzurri defeat the team with a score of 8-6 Germany, in a match resolved only by the last shot of the Olympic champion, after Italy had also been down 4-1 in the third end, before the then winning comeback.

However, it was necessary for two more favorable results to arrive, but Estonia and Japan beat France (8-3 in the seventh end) and Switzerland (8-7 after a real battle) respectively, with the Japanese pair still eliminated and fifth, having lost the direct clash with Italy.

Last night’s defeat will be decisive for Italy against Estonia itself, which goes through to the round together with Norway (first and therefore headed to the semi-final, with a record of 7-2 and only one victory more than the Cortina team) and Switzerland .

At 7.00 pm the last session of the inaugural phase of these world championships will feature the teams from group B where Sweden and Canada have already qualified, with the United States (reigning champions) and Scotland in full battle for third place.

As regards Constantini and De Zanna, it should be underlined that it was the first time together at these levels and the world championship appointment on the ice in Sweden gave very comforting indications. The future of this couple remains to be understood and, above all, whether they will be there to represent the Italian national team at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, where Italy will defend the mixed doubles title.