The men’s saber turns blue at the European Championships in Basel. A memorable hat-trick for Italy, which regains the European title nineteen years after the last time (Aldo Montano’s triumph in 2005) thanks to Michele Gallo, celebrating his first individual medal of his career. The joy of the Campanian saber joins that of Luca Curatoli (silver) and Luigi Samele (bronze)which complete an indelible day for Nicola Zanotti’s boys.
A simply extraordinary journey Rooster, who overcame Curatoli 15-10 in the last act at the end of an assault always led by the native of Salerno right from the start. In the semi-final Gallo had overcome the Frenchman Jean-Philippe Patrice 15-6, while in the quarter-finals another victory against a Frenchman, Bolade Apithy, beaten 15-10.
Another Italian derby was held in the semi-final between Luca Curatoli and Luigi Samele. The success went to the Neapolitan, who dominated the attack 15-3. Previously Curatoli had defeated the French Pianfetti (15-10), while Samele had beaten the Romanian George Dragomir (15-5), but above all the Georgian Sandro Bazadze, number one in the world ranking, with a score of 15-12.
Elimination in the round of 32, however, for the fourth Italian in the race. Pietro Torre gave up on the last thrust by 115-14 to Beka Bazadze, Sandro’s brother. A brilliant European Championship so far for Italy which is dominating the medal table. The Italian team has so far won 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
