(PRIMASPORT) CASABLANCA – Roberta Marzani triumphed at the opening round of the Epee World Cup in Casablanca, earning her first career victory on the top international circuit, sharing the podium with Alberta Santuccio. Matteo Galassi took a splendid silver medal in the men's event. Three crucial medals for the Italian épée team.
Roberta Marzani, a thirty-year-old World Cup gold medalist, enjoyed a stunning victory, confirming the remarkable form she had shown in August when she won the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. The Lombardy-born Italian fencer, fresh from qualifying, resumed her splendid run by defeating Frenchwoman Camille Nabeth 15-12 in the draw. In the round of 32, the Italian secured a prestigious victory over Frenchwoman Auriane Mallo-Breton, defeating her 15-10, before defeating American Kyle Fallon 12-9 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, Marzani defeated Hungary's Anna Kun 15-13, thus securing her first individual World Cup medal. In the semifinal against Alberta Santuccio, she won the derby in overtime: 10-9 was the verdict that secured her a spot in the final. In the final, against Ukraine's Anna Maksymenko, Marzani completed her masterpiece and, with a 15-14 verdict, was able to enjoy the strains of the Italian National Anthem.
Alberta Santuccio shines in bronze. The reigning World Cup champion, determined to prove her rightful place in the "number 1" category, succumbed to the last blow in the semifinal derby against Roberta Marzani. However, hers remains an excellent seasonal debut, finishing third.
Nicol Foietta narrowly missed out on a medal and finished seventh, after a superb performance. The other Italian fencers competing today were: Federica Isola (12th), Giulia Rizzi (33rd), Sara Maria Kowalczyk (50th), Gaia Traditi (51st), Lucrezia Paulis (56th), and Gaia Caforio (57th).
With his silver medal in Casablanca, Matteo Galassie has reached the podium for the fifth time in his career. The Carabiniere from Cervia began his extraordinary run by defeating Czech Martin Rubeš 15-13 in the draw. In the round of 32, the 21-year-old from Romagna defeated Swiss Alexis Bayard 12-11, before defeating Russian Kirill Onishchuk 15-10 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, Galassi defeated Kazakhstan's Vadim Sharlaimov 15-11, thus securing a medal. In the semifinals, Galassi defeated Hungary's Gergely Kovacs 15-11, thus advancing to the final. In the final, against fellow Hungarian Mate Tamas Koch, the Italian dreamed of gold, approaching the match brilliantly and taking the lead, before his opponent emerged victorious, winning 15-11. Matteo Galassi, however, achieved a remarkable second-place finish. As for the other Italian fencers, Simone Mencarelli placed 17th, Davide Di Veroli 34th, and Enrico Piatti 48th.
The Epee World Cup in Casablanca concludes with the team events. The men's team, led by coach Diego Confalonieri, will field Simone Mencarelli, Matteo Galassi, Davide Di Veroli, and Andrea Santarelli, while the Italian women's epee team, led by coach Dario Chiadò, will compete with Alberta Santuccio, Gaia Caforio, Lucrezia Paulis, and Gaia Traditi. (PRIMASPORT)
