Historic final reached by Katharina Fink and Yasmine Hamza at the Mediterranean Games with the Italians who for the first time in the history of the federation went so far in the tournament.
In Oran in Algeria, two perfect sets (21-16; 21-17) allowed the Italian duo to defeat the Cypriots Eleni Cristoudolou and Eva Kattirzi and thus gain access to the final against the Turks Bengisu Ercetin and Nazlican Inci.
“We managed to maintain a good level despite the pressure – the words of Katharina Fink -. It is clear that if you are not mentally focused anything can happen, but today we have shown that we are a very close couple. We will face the Turks with courage while knowing that they can already boast a silver won at the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona ”.
“We are very happy for this prestigious medal, the color of which we have yet to discover – added Yasmine Hamza -. We are certainly honored to represent Italy and we know that we are doing it in the best way. It was a difficult game but we worked together and managed to find the best solutions for the couple game. We hope to be able to do the same in the final this afternoon ”.
Bronze medal instead for Fabio Caponio and Giovanni Toti who at the end of a hard-fought match (17-21; 21-15; 21-19) and which saw the Spanish Luis Enrique Penalver and Pablo Abian prevail.
“Let’s not hide the bitterness for this result also because we started off winning the first set – the words of Fabio Caponio -. The Spaniards were able to change their game strategy and we probably didn’t know how to do the same so quickly in the second set. In the end it is really a lottery and as happens in point-to-point matches, there are episodes that influence the result. We close with a bronze that must encourage us to continue on the path of training and perseverance “.
“We were close to the feat and perhaps when this is the case, the defeat hurts even more – concluded Giovanni Toti -. We knew it was difficult to beat the Spaniards but we tried to show that we deserve respect on an international level. Nobody can afford the luxury of underestimating us, not even experienced couples like the Iberian one. Let’s go ahead, however happy to have brought home a metal and convinced that next time it could be even more valuable “.
