Russia overturn deficit in gold medal match to secure title
Russia came from behind in an injury-hit gold medal match today in Porec to secure the Cadet Women’s Team Foil European title.
Seeded second, the Russian team line up included Anastasiia Beznosikova, Alina Borodaenko and Arina Kamaldinova with individual silver medalist Darya Malysheva in reserve. They made light work of their progress to the final, following a bye through the round of 32 with comfortable victories over Greece 45-21, Great Britain 45-30 and Poland 45-30.
In the other half of the draw, the number one seeds Italy boasted individual Champion Matilde Calvanese who teamed up with Carlotta Ferrari and Margherita Lorenzi. Eleonora Candeago was the reserve for the final and it turned out that she would be needed.
Italy began their day with a bye and then had almost as comfortable route to the final, beating Spain 45-20, Turkey 45-19 and Ukraine 45-34.
After the lead switching hands in the first two legs, Italy’s Calvenese established a 5-point lead for her team 15-10, a third of the way through the match. Lorenzi then came on against Kamaldinova and extended that by one point ahead of the seventh bout. This bout proved to be the turning point. Ferrari came on for the Italians against Beznosikova and at 22-17 overstretched her front leg – an injury that required medical assessment. Ferrari battled on but by the end of the bout the Russians had drawn level at 22-22. Despite strong outings from Calvenese and Lorenzi the Russians led 40-35 going into the final bout. The Italians had no choice but to substitute out their injured anchor. So on came Candeago. Despite a valiant attempt the Italian was overcome by the Russian anchor, Borodaenko, who took her team to the European title 45-36.
Russia and Italy were joined on the podium by Ukraine who beat Poland 45-36 in the bronze medal match.
