For the third consecutive edition Italy wins the continental open water swimming medal table. Even in the case of the European Championship Belgradewhere the Azzurri deployed the front lines in fits and starts, in a field of starters with several quality absences but also with some champions of absolute value in the water, Italy has confirmed the value of its nursery and its movement.
The budget was very positive, Italy reached the podium in all the races played, he won important medals, obtained confirmations and satisfactory responses. The mix between young people and veterans chosen by the technical coordinator Dario Verani it is the result not only of the work of the federal center, but also of the collaboration between the Federation and other technicians and companies.
The pearl of this European Championship was the 10km race Gregorio Paltrinieri who sent a clear signal to all opponents with a view to Paris: whoever wants to win must deal with him, both with actions from afar and by taking him with them to the last km, where here he made the difference with athletes of the caliber of the best Betlehem as always, of a battle-hardened Olivier but not in the sensational condition of Golfo Aranci and Acerenza and Verani who demonstrated once again that they can play it cool with everyone in the sprint.
The tests are satisfactory Caso and Filadelli, young debutants aged 18 and 20, who managed to keep pace with athletes qualified for the Olympics such as Bethlehem and Rasovszky, demonstrating great courage and clarity, showing an excellent aptitude for cross-country skiing. Dario Verani confirmed that it is difficult to find a swimmer in the world capable of beating him in a long race, thanks to his preparation and strategy. Matteo Furlan he then added his latest pearl to a career closely linked to the 25 km which still saw him on the continental podium for five editions.
In the women’s field the blue woman of the championships was Barbara Pozzobon, which, after somewhat conflicting tests, has shown that it can be ready at the right time. As a 25 km specialist, which he is and this is demonstrated by his splendid victory by dispersion in the European race, the Venetian one she also showed herself at very high levels in the 10 km. Giulia Gabbrielleschi it is always among the best and Ginevra Taddeucci she showed an important growth in condition, especially in the short races: in the 5 km she fought with Beck until the last stroke, in the relay she made the break which allowed Italy to start the second part of a race first with a gap decided by the impressive fraction of Betlehem.
The hope is that one of Gabbrielleschi and Taddeucci can manage to achieve Olympic qualification for the 1500 freestyle at Settecolli. For the first time at the Games, Italy would have four athletes available in the two 10 km and also from a tactical point of view in the women’s race starting with two competitors would be a significant advantage.
