Italy Dominates European Grand Prix Team Finals in Antalya: Gold, Silver and Bronze for FITARCO Archers
April 27, 2026 — Antalya, Turkey
ANTALYA, Turkey — The Italian compound archery teams delivered a masterclass in precision and teamwork at the European Grand Prix team finals on Sunday, sweeping the podium with gold, silver, and bronze medals across three events. The historic performance by the Federazione Italiana Tiro con L’Arco (FITARCO) marks one of the most dominant single-day showings in recent European archery history and solidifies Italy’s position as a powerhouse in the compound discipline.
What Happened: A Day of Italian Dominance
The finals day in Antalya’s sun-drenched archery range saw Italy’s compound teams compete in three separate events: men’s team, women’s team, and mixed team. The results were nothing short of spectacular:
- Men’s Team Gold: Marco Godano, Matteo Gubbini, and Andrea Morello defeated a strong field to claim the top spot on the podium. The trio’s consistency and clutch performances under pressure were key to their victory.
- Women’s Team Silver: Elisa Di Nardo, Sara Franchini, and Chiara Roner fell just short in the final, earning silver after a hard-fought match against a determined opponent.
- Mixed Team Bronze: The pairing of Di Nardo and Morello secured bronze, rounding out Italy’s medal haul for the day.
The European Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious events on the international archery calendar, features top athletes from across Europe competing in recurve and compound disciplines. The team finals in Antalya were the culmination of a week-long competition, with Italy’s compound archers peaking at exactly the right moment.
Key Moments: Turning Points in the Finals
The men’s team final was a nail-biter from start to finish. Italy faced off against a formidable opponent in the gold medal match, with both teams trading blows in the early ends. The turning point came in the fourth end, when Godano, known for his ice-cold composure in high-pressure situations, delivered a near-perfect 10 to give Italy a narrow lead. Gubbini and Morello followed suit, sealing the victory with a final score of 234-231.
In the women’s final, Italy’s team of Di Nardo, Franchini, and Roner put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell to a team that executed flawlessly in the final two ends. Despite the loss, their silver medal is a testament to their skill and resilience throughout the competition.
The mixed team bronze match was equally dramatic. Di Nardo and Morello, representing Italy, faced a tough opponent but managed to edge out the competition with a series of clutch shots in the final end. Their bronze medal capped off a historic day for Italian archery.
Why This Matters: Italy’s Compound Archery Renaissance
Italy’s success in Antalya is the latest chapter in a remarkable resurgence for the country’s compound archery program. Over the past two years, FITARCO has invested heavily in athlete development, coaching, and international competition exposure, and the results are now paying off. The European Grand Prix team finals victory is not just a one-off achievement; it’s a sign of Italy’s growing influence in the sport.
For the athletes involved, this performance is a career-defining moment. Marco Godano, the anchor of the men’s team, has been a consistent performer on the international stage, but this gold medal elevates him to the upper echelon of European compound archers. Elisa Di Nardo, who competed in both the women’s and mixed team events, has emerged as one of Italy’s most versatile and reliable archers, and her silver and bronze medals in Antalya are a testament to her skill.
From a broader perspective, Italy’s success in Antalya sends a clear message to the rest of Europe: the country is a force to be reckoned with in compound archery. With the 2026 Winter Games in Turin on the horizon — which will feature horseback archery as a demonstration sport — Italy’s archers are positioning themselves as serious contenders for future international competitions.
The Numbers Behind the Victory
Italy’s dominance in Antalya was reflected in the scores and statistics from the team finals:
| Event | Italian Team | Final Score | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Team | Godano, Gubbini, Morello | 234-231 | Undisclosed | Gold |
| Women’s Team | Di Nardo, Franchini, Roner | 228-230 | Undisclosed | Silver |
| Mixed Team | Di Nardo, Morello | 156-154 | Undisclosed | Bronze |
These scores highlight the razor-thin margins that separate victory from defeat in elite archery. A single point or a single arrow can create all the difference, and Italy’s teams demonstrated the mental fortitude needed to thrive in such high-stakes environments.
What’s Next for Italy’s Archers?
With the European Grand Prix team finals now in the books, Italy’s compound archers will turn their attention to the next major competitions on the calendar. The World Archery Championships, scheduled for later this year, will be a key opportunity for Italy to build on its momentum and showcase its talent on the global stage.
For the athletes, the focus will now shift to training and preparation for upcoming events. The Winter Games in Turin, which will feature horseback archery as a demonstration sport, are also on the horizon. While the European Grand Prix did not include horseback archery, Italy’s success in Antalya bodes well for its prospects in the discipline, which combines the precision of archery with the dynamic challenge of shooting from horseback.
Fans can follow the latest updates from FITARCO and Italy’s archers on the official FITARCO website, which provides news, results, and athlete profiles.
Key Takeaways
- Historic Performance: Italy’s compound archers swept the team finals at the European Grand Prix in Antalya, winning gold, silver, and bronze across three events.
- Men’s Team Gold: Marco Godano, Matteo Gubbini, and Andrea Morello delivered clutch performances to secure the top spot on the podium.
- Women’s Team Silver: Elisa Di Nardo, Sara Franchini, and Chiara Roner earned silver after a hard-fought final.
- Mixed Team Bronze: Di Nardo and Morello rounded out Italy’s medal haul with a bronze in the mixed team event.
- Rising Influence: Italy’s success in Antalya signals the country’s growing prominence in compound archery and sets the stage for future international competitions.
- Next Steps: The World Archery Championships and the 2026 Winter Games in Turin are the next major events on the calendar for Italy’s archers.
How to Follow Italy’s Archery Journey
For real-time updates, results, and behind-the-scenes content, fans can follow FITARCO and Italy’s archers on the following platforms:
With the European Grand Prix team finals now complete, Italy’s archers have set the bar high for the rest of the season. Their performance in Antalya is a reminder of the skill, precision, and teamwork that define elite archery — and a sign of even greater achievements to come.
What do you think of Italy’s historic performance in Antalya? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
