(PRIMASPORT) After winning silver in the technical solo with a "Freddie Mercury" theme, Filippo Pelati doubled his medals in the freestyle and collected his fourth medal at the continental event: three silver medals and a bronze. The 19-year-old from Ferrara performed the program with which he won third place at the 2025 Singapore Olympics. To the tune of Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird," choreographed by Anastasia Ermakova, Pelati brought in water, an exercise of great theatrical intensity, transforming the theme of the allure of evil into a powerful, mysterious and tension-filled performance, creating a scenic story in which technique and interpretation blend naturally.
The angel is Beatrice Andina, known as Baby, and the demon is Alessia Macchi. Leading the way is team coach Roberta Farinelli. The Italian artistic swimming team has won five medals (three silvers and two bronzes) midway through the European Championships. The bronze medal goes to the women's freestyle team, preceded by the Russians, competing under a neutral flag, who take the European title while Spain finishes second. The Italian stars are Marta Iacoacci, Sofia Mastroianni, Susanna Pedotti, Alessia Macchi, Beatrice Esegio, Valentina Bisi, Beatrice Andina, and Giulia Vernice. The reserves are Sarah Maria Rizea and Giorgia Lucia Macino. The choreography, "Angels and Demons," is by Anna Voloshyna. After the disappointment at the World Championships in Singapore, where they finished fifth, the entire team has thus earned its revenge.
In their final dive from the synchronized springboards, Stefano Belotti and Matteo Santoro managed to secure a spot on the podium, overtaking England's Harding and Laugher. Santoro and Belotti reached the final dive with 2.31 points to clear to return to the podium. In their final leap, a double somersault with two somersaults, the Italians outdid themselves and made the difference.
Matteo Santoro – 19 year old from Rome trained by Alice Palmieri and registered with Marina Militare and MR Sport F.lli Marconi, and Stefano Belotti – 22 year old from Bergamo, registered with Fiamme Gialle and Bergamo Tuffi and trained by Benedetta Molaioli – were European champions in the junior category at Otopeni 2022 and world champions in Montreal 2022. (PRIMASPORT)
