Final Day Delivers Intense Battles and Memorable Victories
The final day of the Junior European Fencing Championships in Antalya delivered an electrifying conclusion, as young fencers demonstrated their skill and determination in the fiercely contested team events. National pride fueled every bout, culminating in three disciplines crowning their champions and leaving a lasting impression on the tournament.
Great Britain Triumphs in Men's Foil
The men's foil team event became a showcase of Great Britain’s growing dominance. Jaimie Cook, David Kelly, Callum Penman, and David Sosnov delivered an impeccable performance, overcoming formidable opponents to secure the gold medal. Their journey to victory saw them defeat France in a gripping final, where Numa Crist and his teammates fought with resilience but ultimately settled for silver. Germany, anchored by Henrik Barby, battled through the repechage to claim the bronze, proving their consistency on the European stage. The British team’s triumph underscores their steady rise in international fencing, marking a milestone moment for the nation.
Interview with the Champions:
"It was amazing. A dream come true. We faced a lot of challenges, but the toughest one was fencing together, working as a team, and staying on our A-game while supporting each other. It has been an incredible experience. Our coach always reminded us to believe in ourselves, and that belief carried us through. The biggest change for our team is how well we now work together and keep each other motivated. That’s our biggest strength."
Italy Secures Gold in Men's Sabre
Italy reaffirmed its supremacy in sabre fencing, as the squad featuring Cosimo Bertini and the Reale brothers—Edoardo, Leonardo, and Valerio—executed a tactically brilliant campaign to seize the gold. Their precision and adaptability proved decisive in the final against France, where Baptiste Baylac and Tom Couderc led a valiant effort that fell just short of the title. Türkiye, propelled by the skillful performances of Tolga Aslan and his teammates, delighted the home crowd by securing the bronze medal, highlighting their growing presence in the discipline. Italy’s dominant performance further cements their legacy as a powerhouse in European sabre fencing.
Interview with the Champions:
"Today we were all together, the teamwork was great. Everything we did – we did together, and that was our greatest achievement. The hardest match was the final against France, because they are a very good team, but we stayed focused and calm, and we managed to overcome it. Our superpower was a scream today – we shouted so much! Plus, we always helped each other during the day – when something went bad, everyone was with you."
Ukraine Conquers Women's Épée
In a remarkable display of resilience and strategic mastery, Ukraine’s women’s épée team—comprising Valeriia Bilous-Gridzhak, Emily Conrad, Alina Dmytruk, and Anna Maksymenko—delivered a commanding performance to claim gold. Their hard-fought victory over Hungary showcased their ability to excel under pressure, with Greta Gachalyi and Lotti Horvath leading a determined but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for the title. Italy, led by Allegra Cristofoletto and her teammates, maintained their nation’s strong presence in the championship with a well-earned bronze medal. Ukraine’s triumph in this category is a testament to their tenacity and strength in épée fencing.
Interview with the Champions:
"It was a tough and stressful day, all the matches. The hardest match was the final with Hungary and we overcame it because we wanted so badly to win the European Championships once again. Our superpower today were our matching bracelets."
Medal Standings
|
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | ITA | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| 2 | AIN | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | UKR | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | ROU | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | HUN | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | GBR | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 7 | FRA | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | GER | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 | TUR | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 10 | GEO | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | POL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 112 | ESP | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Reflections on a Thrilling Championship
As the Junior European Championships draw to a close, this year’s competition has once again highlighted the immense depth of talent across Europe. From dramatic finishes to breakout performances, the tournament has set the stage for future champions. Full results and live replays are available through the official event links, capturing the defining moments of this prestigious event.
