News

Scarzella the EMAU President closes the event

18:08 Saturday 29 May

Dear followers, at the end of the awarding ceremony the XIX European Championship has just been officially closed by Mario Scarzella President of the EMAU that has given the EMAU flag to the president of the Dutch Archery Federation that will host in 2012 the next Championship.

Individual Women's Results

16:07 Saturday 29 May

In the all-Russian Recurve final a strong start by Natalya Erdyniyeva looked under attack when Inna Sepanova won the third and fourth sets. However, Erdyniyeva pulled back in the final set to win gold, 6-4. An early draw in the bronze final didn't stop Begunhan Elif Unsal of Turkey from beating Justyna Mospinek of Poland 7-3 for a place on the podium.

In the Compound event it was another Russian, Viktoria Balzhanova who prevailed 6-2 over Gladys Willems of Belgium. To complete the set of five women's medals for an ecstatic Russian delegation, Albina Loginova had a simiarly triumphant win in the bronze final, leaving Andrea Weihe of Germany behind to win 6-2.

Individual Men's results

15:36 Saturday 29 May

After a disappointing day yesterday the British delegation were celebrating this afternoon when, in the Men's Compound final, Andrew Rikunenko slew the formidable Italian Sergio Pagni in five tightly-fought sets, ending with a nail-biting draw, to win 6-4. Peter Elzinga (Netherlands) took bronze after a convincing 7-3 win against Vladas Sigauskas (Lithuania).

Another European champion was made in the Men's Recurve event when French Romain Girouille shot down previous world champion, Italian Michele Frangilli. The match began with two draws but in the end Girouille pulled ahead to win 6-4. Markiyan Ivashko of Ukraine took the third spot after holding Florian Floto of Germany to a 7-3 score in the bronze final.

Frangilli's and Vandionant's interviews

13:20 Saturday 29 May

Your impressions about the new Archery facility in Rovereto
Frangilli: "This is a great infrastructure for archery and definitely good enough for such a big event as an European Championship, perhaps one among the most complete of the world. I really have to congratulate those who made it possible. Each aspect of the sport has been taken into consideration, and maybe something more. Many have been genuinely impressed by it".
Vandionant: "The competition field is good. If I have to find a drawback it could be the wind that prevented us from having perfect conditions, but being able to perform in windy conditions is part of the skill that great archers must have. The building is fantastic, including also a wide indoor hall and all the facilities needed to prepare well. Overall it is great".

Has the technical level of the competition been very high?
Frangilli: "I think so because, despite the irregular wind that annoyed most people, overall there have been medium/high scores, and yesterday it was even raining. For us athletes quick changes in weather condition always give us problems but the level is getting higher and higher".
Vandionant: "I reckon that as in others categories the level is increasing and even during non perfect conditions the performances remained very high. There is more competition."

Are you satisfied with your performance?
Frangilli: "Yes, I reached both the individual and the team final; it could go hardly better than this. I can only improve on it by winning...".
Vandionant: "I can't really be satisfied by my performance; I got sent off in the third round and as a team we couldn't win against Russia. It has definitely not been a good Championship for me. I have got a lot of work to do".

What do you think about the new set system introduced by the FITA in the elimination round?
Frangilli: "The duration has increased. But at least now both opponents have more possibilities to pass regardless of their starting position. It allows you to make mistakes and to fix them. Let's see if it will be able to get more interest from the general public."
Vandionant: "I like it because this rule introduces more competion; each set is a competiotion independent from the others that begins with zero points every time whether if you shoot well or badly in the previous one. You can't take anything for granted. Each end is a real fight and I like it."

Team final results

12:50 Saturday 29 May

In recurve Men Germany wins the gold against Italy that shot a 5 and a 6 in the third end (206-197). Russia wins against Spain in the Women Recurve (202-195). In the Compound Men Russia beats Netherlands (226-223) and Belgium wins the gold in the compound Women against Italy (221-217). In the afternoon there will be all the individual finals.

Italy win the Gold medal in recurve mix team

17:46

Marco Galiazzo and Natalia Valeeva beat Sebastian Rohrberg and Elena Richter by two points 150-148 winning the first recurve mixed team gold medal in the history of the European Championship. Congratulation to all the winners.

Sweden win Mixed Compound

17:44

In a nail-biting finale to the competition, the gold medal was decided by a judge's decision on a single line. Anders Malm and Isabell Danielsson clinched it 147-146. Martin Damsbo and Camilla Soemod will receive silver for Denmark.

First medals awarded for mixed team

17:19

Slovenia (Dejan Sitar and Majav Pavlin Marcen) placed third for the Compound beating Belgium (Luc Verdeyen and Gladys Willems) by only one point (147-146), while in the recurve category finally some good news for Great Britain (Simon Terry and Charlotte Burgess) who beat Ukraine (Viktor Ruban and Victoriya) by three points on the last arrow (144-141) and won the bronze medal.

Mixed Team Semi Finals

16:15

The Ukraine Recurve team's hopes of making it to the final were dashed this afternoon by the Germans, who put in a solid performance to win 140-137. Yet another disappointment this afternoon for Great Britain who also crashed out to a confident Italy, who seem laid back about their chances in the final.

In the Compound semi final second seed Denmark continued their relentless progress, taking out Slovenia 153-149. However, between them and gold stand Sweden who, despite being 9th ranked, are looking formidable after a 149-146 victory over Belgium.

It looks like more hot action for the finals. With most of the competition behind them, all four teams have arguably their biggest challenge yet to come...

Mixed Quarter Finals

15:56

In the Compound event, a lot of suprises. Of the four winning teams, all except Denmark were ranked lower than the team they beat. Denmark themselves only won by shoot-off after drawing 150-150 with Russia.

Belgium also drew with the Netherlands 147-147 but prevailed in a shoot-off. They will meet Sweden, who beat favourites Great Britain for a 149-145 win. Happiest of all must be 14th ranked Slovenia who are on a roll, beating Spain 150-147 for their slot in the semis.

There was arguably less tension the Recurve event with three of the top four seeds progressing to the semi final round. Italy and Great Britain won by margins of 7 each and Germany sniped Ireland by 11 points.

Favourites Russia were looking strong with the best score in this round.. except for their rivals Ukraine who pulled ahead by one point with 151. Ukraine will now meet Germany to decide who goes through to the final.