Italian
At the European Paralympic Table Tennis Championships, Italy wins a gold medal with Matteo Parenzan and three silvers and a bronze
HELSINGBORG (SWEDEN) – An amazing haul achieved by Italy at the European Paralympic Table Tennis Championships in Helsingborg. After the bronze medal won by Michela Brunelli in class 3, the Azzurri secured one gold, three silvers, and one bronze out of seven athletes present.
Great success for Matteo Parenzan in class 6. The champion at the Paralympics in Paris 2024 repeats his triumph from two years ago in Sheffield by defeating his eternal rival Peter Rosenmeier. The athlete from Trieste wins 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-2), thus confirming his unbeaten streak in major competitions that has lasted since the World Championship in Granada in 2022.
The other reigning Paralympic and world champion, Giada Rossi, was unable to win the third European title in class 1-2. The player from Pordenone lost in the final to the French Maeva Olivier by 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 11-2, 10-12, 9-11) after having defeated her 3-0 in the group stage.
The second silver of the day comes in class 3 from Carlotta Ragazzini, who lost 3-1 (7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 7-11) against the Croatian favorite Andela Muzinic Vincetic. The athlete from Faenza achieves her best career result at a European Championship after the bronze in 2023. The Azzurra was ahead both in the first set at 5-2 and in the second at 9-3. The fatal moment was the opponent’s 8-0 break.
Federico Falco in class 1 also finishes second after losing 3-1 (7-1, 11-8, 6-11, 12-14) to the British Robert Davies, despite having defeated him 3-2 in the qualifiers. He did not capitalize on the two set points to go to the fifth. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent result for the athlete from Verona, who already won bronze in 20217 and in 2023.
