Italy Dominates European Grand Prix in Antalya with Four Team Medals

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

ANTALYA, Turkey — Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Italy’s archers delivered a masterclass at the European Grand Prix in Antalya, securing four team medals—including two golds—on the final day of competition, capping a week of dominance in both compound and recurve disciplines. The results solidify Italy’s position as a powerhouse in international archery as the sport builds toward the 2026 World Championships.

A Golden Day for Italian Archery

The Italian team swept the podium in the compound events, with the men’s team of Michea Godano, Lorenzo Gubbini, and Marco Morello claiming gold in a thrilling 234-232 victory over Turkey. The women’s compound team—Elisa Di Nardo, Sara Franchini, and Marcella Roner—settled for silver, while the mixed team of Di Nardo and Gubbini earned bronze. In recurve, the women’s team of Tatiana Andreoli, Roberta Di Francesco, and Chiara Rebagliati delivered Italy’s second gold with a commanding 6-0 shutout over Ukraine.

“This was a statement performance,” said a spokesperson for the Italian Archery Federation (FITARCO). “Our athletes trained relentlessly for this event, and their precision under pressure speaks volumes about the depth of our program.”

Key Moments from the Finals

The men’s compound final against Turkey was a nail-biter. Italy took an early 59-56 lead in the first set, but Turkey fought back, winning the second and third sets 59-58. With the match tied heading into the final set, Godano, Gubbini, and Morello raised their game, closing with a 59-58 victory to secure the gold. Gubbini, in particular, was nearly flawless, hitting 10s on all but one of his arrows—a performance that bodes well for his upcoming individual semifinal.

In the recurve women’s final, Italy’s dominance was undeniable. Andreoli, Di Francesco, and Rebagliati outshot Ukraine in every set, winning 55-52, 56-53, and 54-53. The victory marked Italy’s first recurve team gold at the European Grand Prix since 2023, a testament to the team’s consistency and tactical prowess.

What’s Next for Italy’s Archers

The European Grand Prix isn’t just a standalone event—it’s a World Ranking Event, meaning these results will have a direct impact on athletes’ global standings. For Gubbini, the stakes are even higher: he faces Poland’s Mateusz Butrym in the compound individual semifinal on Wednesday at 10:14 a.m. Local time (7:14 a.m. UTC). A victory would position him in contention for another medal, with the match set to be streamed live on Archery+.

“Lorenzo has been in phenomenal form this week,” said FITARCO’s head coach. “His focus and composure under pressure are exactly what we require in high-stakes matches. We’re confident he can carry this momentum into the semifinal.”

Why This Matters for International Archery

Italy’s success in Antalya comes at a critical time for the sport. With the 2026 World Archery Championships in Berlin just months away, these results serve as a barometer for teams’ preparedness. Italy’s depth—particularly in compound—positions them as serious contenders for medals across multiple disciplines. Meanwhile, the recurve women’s victory signals a resurgence in a category where Italy has historically been strong but faced stiff competition from South Korea, China, and the United States.

The European Grand Prix also highlights the growing competitiveness of archery in Europe. Turkey’s strong performance in the men’s compound final, as well as Ukraine’s resilience in the recurve women’s final, underscores the continent’s rising talent pool. For fans, this means more unpredictable and exciting matches in the years to approach.

How to Follow the Action

For those eager to catch the remaining action from Antalya:

• Lorenzo Gubbini’s Semifinal: Wednesday, April 29, 10:14 a.m. Local time (7:14 a.m. UTC) vs. Mateusz Butrym (POL) — Live on Archery+
• Official Results: World Archery Event Page
• Italian Team Updates: FITARCO Official Site

Key Takeaways

• Four Medals for Italy: Gold in men’s compound and women’s recurve, silver in women’s compound, and bronze in mixed compound.
• Gubbini’s Perfect Form: Hit 10s on all but one arrow in the men’s compound final, setting the stage for his individual semifinal.
• Recurve Resurgence: Italy’s women’s recurve team dominated Ukraine 6-0, signaling their return to form ahead of the 2026 World Championships.
• World Ranking Points: These results will boost Italy’s athletes in the global standings, with implications for seeding in future events.
• Next Up: Gubbini faces Butrym in the compound individual semifinal on Wednesday.

The Road Ahead

With the European Grand Prix drawing to a close, Italy’s archers will turn their focus to the individual finals and the upcoming World Championships. For Gubbini, the semifinal against Butrym is the immediate priority, but the broader goal is to carry this momentum into Berlin. As the sport continues to grow in Europe, Italy’s performances in Antalya serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring strength in archery—and a preview of what’s to come in 2026.

What do you experience of Italy’s performance in Antalya? Will Gubbini secure another medal in the individual semifinal? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media using #ArcheryAntalya.