Liguria 2025: the curtain rises on the European Fencing Championships. At the new Palasport in Genoa, the Opening Ceremony and the first finals take place.

Genoa 2025 European Championships, the eve of the Azzurri between emotion and energy. Captain Arianna Errigo: “Great enthusiasm, we’re counting on the support of the audience.” Tomorrow begins with women’s foil and men’s sabre.

GENOA – “This is my 14th European Championship, but I’m facing it with the same enthusiasm as the first time.” Words and melody from Arianna Errigo, the captain of the Italian foil team, the veteran of the Italian national fencing team, as they prepare to take on the continental event in Genoa 2025, starting tomorrow (Saturday the 14th) and running until June 19. Six intense days of competition to award twelve titles. It all begins with the women’s individual foil, the discipline in which Arianna Errigo is the defending champion, having won her third European gold in Basel 2024, adding to a trophy case that already shines with—just in this competition—21 medals. “Competing in Italy is special; we’re counting on the audience’s support to give us an extra boost,” said the Olympic champion during the pre-event press conference.

Joining her on the piste tomorrow will be three other ambitious Italian representatives. Current world champion Alice Volpi stated: “We’ll try to make the home advantage count. I’m happy to be here, though I’m very sorry about the physical issue that stopped Martina Favaretto, and I’ll give my all on the piste.” Martina Batini, European gold medalist in 2023, added with a smile: “We’re a strong and united team; let’s hope we avoid facing each other too early…” For young Anna Cristino, it’s a debut: “There’s a lot of emotion for my first time. Having great examples like my teammates is an added value.”
The foil team’s head coach Simone Vanni presented tomorrow’s event like this: “We’re aware of the expectations placed on us and will give everything to meet them. We have determination and fighting spirit, which we’ll combine with our technical skills.”

Alongside the foil fencers, the sabreurs will also compete on the opening day. Michele Gallo is the defending champion: “We’ve worked intensely, we’re pumped, and for me, it’s an honor to compete as the reigning gold medalist at a European Championship in Italy.” Luca Curatoli, who took silver a year ago in Basel, said: “It’s great to start first; it gives a huge adrenaline rush. I’ve won three individual medals at Europeans and want to stay competitive at the top.” Pietro Torre is also highly motivated: “Genoa is a seaside city like my Livorno; I feel at home, and I hope these positive feelings help me achieve something important.” Dario Cavaliere is making his debut on the biggest continental stage: “We’re competing in a stunning venue and with a strong desire to captivate the Ligurian audience.”
The head coach of the Italian men’s sabre team, Andrea Terenzio, said: “The organizing committee has worked meticulously for this event. We want to rise to the occasion. We’ve prepared thoroughly, so now it’s up to us.”

Tickets for the Genoa 2025 European Championships can be purchased on the Vivaticket website or directly at the Jean Nouvel Pavilion (open 9 AM–4 PM) and the Palasport (from 5 PM to 7 PM). The Jean Nouvel ticket grants access to the pavilion where bouts are held up to the individual quarterfinals (and team semifinals). The Palasport ticket, however, is only valid for the daily finals held in the Arena. It’s also possible to purchase a Daily Ticket—a day pass—for all events at both locations.

At the Jean Nouvel Pavilion, a free “fencing village” has been set up, offering the chance to visit two exhibitions daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. The first, titled “From History to Fencing,” was conceived by Alessandro Rizzi in collaboration with maestro Giancarlo Toran, director of the Agorà Fencing Museum in Busto Arsizio. The exhibition will open tomorrow—Saturday, June 14—at 2:30 PM, featuring a fascinating journey from ancient armored duels to today’s sport, thanks to contributions from leading international experts. The second exhibition, “The Magic of Olympic Torches,” will showcase evocative original memorabilia from Summer and Winter Olympics, curated by CONI, as part of the European Championships of the discipline that has brought Italy the most Olympic glory.

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 5:45 PM tomorrow at Genoa’s new Palasport. Representatives from all 44 federations and European Fencing Confederation President Pascal Tesch (Luxembourg) will attend. Local institutions will be represented by Marco Bucci (president) and Simona Ferro (sports councilor) for the Liguria Region, as well as Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa. The stage will host a performance by the Kataklò artists.

Pesto Awards. At the Genoa 2025 European Fencing Championships, sporting excellence meets certified Ligurian agro-food excellence: Basilico Genovese DOP and Olio Riviera Ligure DOP, symbolic prizes for the winners, represent not only Liguria’s certified quality but also the deep connection between territorial identity, culture, and a healthy lifestyle.

The European Fencing Championships take place in Liguria, the European Region of Sport 2025, and are supported by the European Commission, the Italian Ministry for Sport and Youth, the Liguria Region, and the Municipality of Genoa. The event is held under the auspices of the European Fencing Confederation and endorsed by CONI and Sport e Salute. The collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and COL Genoa 2025 includes a farewell dinner for delegations and international representatives on Wednesday, June 18, at the Chamber of Commerce’s representative venue on Via Garibaldi. Convention Bureau Genova provides support for the hospitality system. Partners of the 2025 European Championships include 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, and San Giorgio Sein. Thanks to an agreement between the Municipality of Genoa and AMT, athletes and their technical staff will enjoy free public bus transport. Media partners for the Genoa Europeans include Rai, Sky Sport, Italpress, Il Secolo XIX, Mentelocale, and Netweek. Finals will be broadcast live daily on Rai 2 and Sky.

ITALY’S TEAM

Men’s Foil
Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini
Reserve: Davide Filippi

Women’s Foil
Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Martina Batini, Alice Volpi
Reserve: Elena Tangherlini

Men’s Sabre
Luca Curatoli, Michele Gallo, Pietro Torre, Dario Cavaliere (individual only), Matteo Neri (team only)

Women’s Sabre
Michela Battiston, Chiara Mormile, Manuela Spica, Mariella Viale
Reserve: Alessia Di Carlo

Men’s Épée
Davide Di Veroli, Matteo Galassi, Andrea Santarelli, Valerio Cuomo (individual only), Gianpaolo Buzzacchino (team only)

Women’s Épée
Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Sara Maria Kowalczyk (individual only), Lucrezia Paulis (team only)

THE DELEGATION

President: Luigi Mazzone
Head of Delegation: Elisa Albini
Weapon Commissioners: Simone Vanni (foil), Dario Chiadò (épée), Andrea Aquili (women’s sabre), Andrea Terenzio (men’s sabre)
Foil Coaching Staff: Marco Vannini, Fabio Maria Galli, Alessandro Puccini
Sabre Coaching Staff: Marco Ciari, Diego Occhiuzzi
Épée Coaching Staff: Diego Confalonieri, Daniele Pantoni, Alfredo Rota
Doctor: Riccardo Foti
Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Di Segni, Maurizio Iaschi, Stefano Vandini
Armorer: Gianluca Farinelli
Logistics: Adriano Bernardini, Giorgia Caloro

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 14, 2025
Women’s Foil Individual (Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Alice Volpi, Martina Batini)
Men’s Sabre Individual (Luca Curatoli, Michele Gallo, Pietro Torre, Dario Cavaliere)
From 5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony
From 6:20 PM – Semifinals and Finals
Awards around 8:10 PM

Sunday, June 15, 2025
Men’s Épée Individual (Davide Di Veroli, Matteo Galassi, Andrea Santarelli, Valerio Cuomo)
Women’s Sabre Individual (Michela Battiston, Chiara Mormile, Manuela Spica, Mariella Viale)
From 6:00 PM – Semifinals and Finals
Awards around 8:10 PM

Monday, June 16, 2025
Women’s Épée Individual (Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Sara Maria Kowalczyk)
Men’s Foil Individual (Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini)
From 6:00 PM – Semifinals and Finals
Awards around 8:10 PM

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Women’s Foil Team (Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Martina Batini, Alice Volpi)
Men’s Sabre Team (Luca Curatoli, Michele Gallo, Pietro Torre, Matteo Neri (team only))
From 3:30 PM – Bronze Finals
From 5:30 PM – Gold Finals
Awards around 7:40 PM

Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Men’s Épée Team (Davide Di Veroli, Matteo Galassi, Andrea Santarelli, Gianpaolo Buzzacchino)
Women’s Sabre Team (Michela Battiston, Chiara Mormile, Manuela Spica, Mariella Viale)
From 3:30 PM – Bronze Finals
From 5:30 PM – Gold Finals
Awards around 7:40 PM

Thursday, June 19, 2025
Women’s Épée Team (Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Lucrezia Paulis)
Men’s Foil Team (Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini)
From 3:30 PM – Bronze Finals
5:30 PM – Closing Ceremony
From 6:00 PM – Gold Finals
Awards around 8:10 PM