European Fencing Championships at the halfway point. The assessment by Valentina Vezzali, Peter Tesch, and Giorgio Scarso
Third day of the European Fencing Championships in Genoa. On the pistes, the women’s épée and men’s foil conclude the individual events. Starting tomorrow, the spectacular team challenges will begin. The first two days were characterized by great participation and much cheering for the Italian team. A large crowd yesterday at the Jean Nouvel and then at the Palasport for the thrilling men’s sabre final with Matteo Galassi’s silver medal.
Also highly appreciated are the exhibitions set up at the “fencing village” which can be visited for free every day from 9 am to 3 pm. It’s also possible to try fencing thanks to the presence of instructors from Ligurian clubs who teach kids how to “fence”.
“We’re experiencing a truly spectacular edition,” says Valentina Vezzali, guest of honor at the event. “The opening ceremony was a beautiful show for our sport and for the whole city with extraordinary international visibility. The Genoa 2025 Organizing Committee has done an extraordinary job and seeing a ‘museum’ within such an important competition shows how sport is also culture. I invite all Genoese and Ligurians to come see the torch exhibition representing the various Olympic Games routes. As well as the exhibition on fencing history which is truly spectacular. Which torch do I choose? The Atlanta 1996 one, it was my first Olympics, the one of recklessness, and I remember the emotion of seeing Muhammad Ali as the final torchbearer. Sport gives emotions but is also an extraordinary promotional tool. These Genoa European Championships are a magnificent postcard for the city and all of Liguria. Genoa, I can assure, is beautiful. Congratulations to those who wanted this event here in Genoa.”
Despite the heat-related controversies at the Palasport during the first evening, many compliments are coming from international fencing leaders. “The organization of these European Championships is truly excellent in all respects,” emphasizes Pascal Tech, president of the European Fencing Confederation. “I want to thank the Organizing Committee for their commitment, including in resolving the issues that occurred on the first day. We all know problems can always arise and the most important thing is how we face them. They were resolved and we were able to share with a large, very participatory audience two truly spectacular days.”
Also enthusiastic about Genoa 2025 is Giorgio Scarso, historic president of Italian fencing and European number one until last year. “I’ve been following European Championships since 1980, as well as World Championships, and I’ve never seen such precise and punctual competition organization and a location as well prepared as Genoa’s. The heat? It’s part of possible difficult moments, but the organizers were really good at resolving it. No one among us managers or athletes complained. We’ve seen it all in recent years. Last year in Switzerland we also had other hiccups. Those saying Genoa made a bad impression are out of touch with reality. I say Genoa has made and is making a great impression with organization unmatched in European Fencing history. I can testify that Genoa is certainly the best organized Championship in our continent in the last 40 years.”
Satisfied with both the on-piste and spectator spectacle is Beppe Costa, president of the Genoa 2025 Organizing Committee: “I’d like to highlight all the beautiful things happening. Genoa and our Liguria are having great visibility nationally with daily broadcasts on Rai and Sky Sport and continentally. The on-piste spectacle is truly extraordinary and the audience is participating, just as we hoped. It’s unfortunate Saturday’s heat caused so much controversy. I find it exaggerated. We intervened to resolve it and indeed I want to thank all those who worked hard on this. Yesterday was perfect.”
An emotional European Championship also for Alexis Bruno, Genoese referee who made his international debut right in Genoa. “I stepped on the piste as a child and then, after my athletic career, there was the chance to stay in the fencing world. Every time you referee a final or important match it’s always a great emotion, but doing it in my city… even more. It takes lots of coolness, great preparation, and it’s very challenging technically too. A judgment on these Championships? I risk seeming partisan, but we must admit the organization is very good and we have spaces you rarely see around the world. Colleagues are really happily impressed.”
TICKETS. Tickets for Genoa 2025 European Championships can be purchased on Vivaticket website or directly at the Jean Nouvel pavilion (9am-4pm) and Palasport (5pm-7pm). The Jean Nouvel ticket grants access to the pavilion where bouts take place up to individual quarterfinals (and team semifinals). The Palasport ticket is only valid for daily finals in the Arena. The Daily Ticket – a day pass – can be purchased for all events in both locations.
PARTNERSHIPS. The European Fencing Championships take place in Liguria, European Region of Sport 2025, supported by European Commission, Ministry for Sport and Youth, Liguria Region and Genoa Municipality. The event is held under the auspices of European Fencing Confederation and endorsed by Coni and Sport e Salute. The collaboration between Chamber of Commerce and COL Genoa 2025 results in a farewell dinner with delegations and international representatives on Wednesday June 18 at the Chamber of Commerce representative office in Via Garibaldi. Convention Bureau Genova provides hotel hospitality support. European Championships 2025 partners are Costa Edutainment, Banca Passadore, Silomar, PSA Italy, Saar Port Terminals, Toyota, Gruppo Spinelli, Elah, Riberti, Iveco Bus, Columbus Informatica, Ishi, Mapslate, Montallegro, Noberasco, Controfluid, Homberger, Mediapoint, San Giorgio Sein. Thanks to agreement between Genoa Municipality and AMT, athletes and technical staff can use free public bus service. Media partners are Rai, Sky Sport, Italpress, Il Secolo XIX, Mentelocale and Netweek. Finals will be broadcast live daily on Rai 2 and Sky.
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Photo credit: BIZZI/Federscherma
