Italian women’s epee team celebration – Photo Augusto Bizzi/Federscherma
L’Italy17 years after the last time, she is a gold medalist in the women’s sword European: beaten in the final a Basel a big Hungary by 38-31, in a breathtaking match full of twists and turns. The quartet composed of Santuccio, Navarria, Rizzi And Flemishwith this wonderful victory, is among the favorites for the Olympic Games of Paris 2024in which, however, it should be remembered, the fearsome swordsmen of the South Korea. Nothing to do for the young Magyars: Yum, Nagy And Muhari they have to settle for silver.
The final for the European gold starts slowly, we find ourselves on the platform for the first assault Muhari And Santuccio who study each other and land a few shots. Same trend among 17 year olds Nagy and number 6 in the ranking Rizzi, with the Magyar extending to +2 at the end of the clock with great cunning. Third assault also lacking in jabs Yum And Navarria. The fourth attack is instead fundamental: Santuccio gets on the platform and recovers points Nagyreversing the score to +2 Italy. Inside Muhari And Navarria, with the blue player initially stretching but finding herself in difficulty with the speed of the Hungarian’s legs. On the platform, after the comeback of Muhari, Yum And Rizzi, with the Italian bringing the match to a draw (21-21) after the Hungarian comeback. At the seventh bout, the veteran enters the stage Scarlett Flemishchosen to replace Navarria to counteract the cunning of Nagy. Choice pays off: Scarlett stretches to +2 against one that is too contracted Nagy. Then back on the platform Yum And Santuccio, who after a red card for non-combativeness, compete for all the points with magnificent shots. We reach the last and decisive assault with a score of 27-25, on the floor Rizzi And Muhari: the 36 year old Italian scores a sensational series of points and gets to +5, but the Hungarian doesn’t fit and shortens. The Hungarian bench believes it but Rizzi with all her experience she finished at +7 with a score of 38-31, giving the gold to her teammates.
