U23 European Championships

Team Spirit Defines Day Three

26 April 2025

Israel, France, and Italy Triumph on Day Three of ECH U23

The third day of the European Fencing Championships U23 in Tallinn brought unforgettable moments of determination, team spirit, and pure fencing excellence. With the Men's Épée, Women's Sabre, and Women's Foil team events on the program, the atmosphere inside the venue was charged with passion and intensity.

U-23 Team Men's Épée: Israel on Top

In the U-23 Men's Épée team event, Israel (Tavor Itamar, Alon Sarid, Fedor Khaperskiy, Yehonathan Lambrey Messika) stood tall on the highest step of the podium. Switzerland (Ian Hauri, Theo Brochard, Jonathan Fuhrimann, Sven Vineis) claimed the silver medal, while Italy (Filippo Armaleo, Enrico Piatti, Simone Mencarelli, Nicolo' Del Contrasto) completed the podium with a strong performance to claim the bronze medal. After the match, the Israeli team shared their reflections: "We came to win. We knew we had the level to beat every team here, so we came in determined and worked very hard for this. Obviously, we're very happy now — it worked."

Speaking about the challenges, they recalled how the semi-final and final demanded every ounce of their mental and physical strength. "We acted like a team, not like four separate fencers. Team spirit is one of our strongest sides. It really made the difference when the matches became tough," they explained. Highlighting their individual strengths, the team credited Alon as the calming spirit, Tavor for stepping up when it mattered most, and Messika for being their anchor under pressure.

U-23 Team Women's Sabre: France's Fierce Triumph

In the Women's Sabre team competition, it was France (Amalia Aime, Mathilde Mouroux, Lola Tranquille, Toscane Tori) who captured the gold medal after a fierce and thrilling final against Italy (Benedetta Fusetti, Michela Landi, Manuela Spica, Carlotta Fusetti). Ukraine (Daria Gontsova, Oleksandra Bondar, Valeriia Morenets-Kubanska, Viktoriia Korotchenko) showed their strength throughout the day and secured the bronze medal.

"Our main goal was very clear — we came here to win the competition," the French team said with bright smiles. "Our strong dynamic as a team made the difference. We trust each other completely, and that energy kept pushing us forward, even when things got complicated."

The "superpowers" of the team were quickly revealed: Lola, "on fire" when the team needed a spark; Mathilde, "the chill guy" keeping the team grounded; Amalia, "the calm force" under pressure; and Toscane, "the crazy one," bringing that extra energy. Their blend of trust, positivity, and firepower proved unstoppable.

U-23 Team Women's Foil: Italy's Golden Connection

Italy (Carlotta Ferrari, Aurora Grandis, Giulia Amore, Irene Bertini) shone brightly once again in the Women's Foil team competition, taking the gold ahead of France (Emmie Nayl, Marion Rousseau, Alicia Audibert, Keren Aye), with Ukraine (Kateryna Budenko, Olga Sopit, Alina Poloziuk, Kristina Petrova) stepping onto the podium for bronze. Carlotta Ferrari, Aurora Grandis, Giulia Amore, and Irene Bertini showcased a spectacular mix of talent, leadership, and energy. Sharing their impressions after the final, the Italian fencers highlighted each other's contributions: "Carlotta had a great mindset today, wanting to close the match with determination." It was a debut team experience for some, but the synergy was immediate. Aurora impressed with her strong presence and powerful voice — earning the affectionate nickname "Aurora Voice." Giulia was praised for her bravery and leadership, leading the team with the calm authority of a true captain. The youngest, Irene, was described as a calm and fun teammate, making their day even more special. Their connection, courage, and trust made the victory feel truly deserved.

Final Day Preview

The ECH U23 in Tallinn is reaching its final day, but the excitement is far from over! Join us tomorrow, Sunday, April 27, for the last thrilling competitions: