European Fencing Championships, Italian Guillaume Bianchi wins gold in men's foil

Guillaume Bianchi wins the gold medal in men's foil at the European Fencing Championships underway in Genoa, beating Frenchman Anas Anane 15-5 in the final.

Tommaso Marini wins the bronze medal in the men's individual foil tournament at the European Fencing Championships underway in Genoa. The Italian is eliminated in the semifinals by 15-13 by the French Anas Anane. Marini was the defending champion thanks to the gold at the 2024 European Championships.

The Frenchman will face the Italian Guillaume Bianchi in the final, who in the other semi-final defeated the Spaniard Carlos Llavador 15-14.

Guillaume Bianchi wins in the semifinal against the Spaniard Carlos Llavador by 15-14 and qualifies for the final in the men's individual foil tournament at the European Fencing Championships underway in Genoa. Whatever happens in the final, Bianchi's is the sixth medal for Italy.

Two new bronze medals for Italy at the European Championships in Genoa 2025 thanks to the Italians Sara Maria Kowalczyk and Alberta Santuccio. Kowalczyk is eliminated in the semifinals of the individual women's épée tournament. The Italian, after a five-minute break due to a problem with her hand, recovers the disadvantage, but the Russian Aizanat Murtazaeva manages to win 14-13 in the extra minute. For Kowalczyk it is the first European bronze medal in her career.

Santuccio, gold medalist at Paris 2024 in the team event, is defeated 9-8 by Estonian Katrina Lehis. The last thrust in the extra minute decides the match. In the final, Lehis and Murtazaeva will play for the gold.

Today is the third day of the European Fencing Championships in Genoa, with the individual events concluding with the titles of the men's foil and women's épée. Italy hopes to win its first gold medal of the continental event, after having won a silver with Matteo Galassi and two bronzes with Andrea Santarelli and Martina Batini.

The Italians competing in the women's epee are Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Rossella Fiamingo and Sara Maria Kowalczyk. Also on the platform are the men's foil with Tommaso Marini, Filippo Macchi, Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi.

The first silver medal for Italy was won by Matteo Galassi. The Italian was defeated in the final by the strong Ukrainian Svichkar 15-11. The very young Romagnola, still Under 20, had beaten the veteran Foligno Andrea Santarelli in the semifinal, who thus put the bronze around his neck, with a score of 15-8.

"It was a beautiful competition, I can only be happy. It's a shame about the final, but the opponent is tough, he shot well, there's not much to say". Matteo Galassi, speaking to Rai, commented on the silver after losing the final.

“The difference between my fencing and that of others is that I follow my instincts more, it's a natural thing that I can't even remember,” he said.

Mariella Viale was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the sabre draw at the European Championships currently underway in Genoa. The Italian was beaten by the Ukrainian Komashchuk 15-11. Previously eliminated were Chiara Mormile, Michela Battiston and Manuela Spica.