Italy’s Di Francesco and Borsani Secure Bronze Medal Spot in Antalya Archery World Cup
Italian archers Marco Di Francesco and Matteo Borsani have advanced to the bronze medal match at the World Archery Coppa del Mondo Tiro con l’Arco in Antalya, Turkey, marking a pivotal moment in their 2024 Olympic qualification campaign. The pair defeated South Korea’s Kim Woo-jin and Oh Jin-hyek in the semifinal round, setting up a clash for the third-place medal against France’s Jean-Charles Valladont and Thomas Chirault in the final round.
How Italy Reached the Bronze Medal Match
Di Francesco and Borsani, ranked third in the world in the men’s team recurve as of June 2024, entered the tournament as one of the favorites. Their path to the bronze medal match began with a strong performance in the preliminary rounds, where they finished second in their group with a total score of 5,585 points, according to official tournament records.
In the elimination rounds, the Italians faced Spain’s Miguel Alvariño and Antonio Fernández in the quarterfinals, defeating them 6-4 in the match. Their semifinal victory over South Korea came after a closely contested match, with Di Francesco and Borsani securing a 6-5 win in the final set. The match was particularly notable for Di Francesco’s 10/10 score in the 12th end, which proved decisive.
Why it matters: This result positions Italy as the highest-ranked team outside the top two in the Olympic qualification standings. A medal in Antalya could significantly boost their chances of securing one of the five remaining Olympic qualification spots available through the World Cup Final in Paris later this year.
Who Will Italy Face for Bronze?
The bronze medal match will see Di Francesco and Borsani take on France’s Jean-Charles Valladont and Thomas Chirault, who defeated Turkey’s Mete Gazoz and Recai Simsek in their semifinal. The French pair, currently ranked fifth in the world, have shown consistency throughout the tournament, finishing fourth in their group with 5,570 points.
Key context: France is one of the strongest teams in the world recurve discipline, with Valladont and Chirault having won silver at the 2023 World Championships. Their experience in high-pressure matches could prove decisive against Italy’s younger but rapidly improving duo.
What’s Next for Di Francesco and Borsani?
The bronze medal match is scheduled for June 13, 2024, at 15:00 local time (12:00 UTC) at the Antalya Fair Grounds. A victory would secure Italy’s first medal of the tournament, while a loss would still leave them in a strong position for the Olympic qualification race.
Beyond Antalya, Di Francesco and Biragani will compete in the World Cup Final in Paris (July 25–28, 2024), where the top four teams will earn Olympic qualification spots. Their current ranking and consistent performances place them among the favorites for one of these spots.
What to watch:
- The Italians’ ability to maintain composure under pressure, particularly in the final sets of matches.
- How Di Francesco and Borsani adapt their strategy against France’s more experienced pair.
- Whether Italy can capitalize on France’s slight drop in form after their semifinal victory.
How the Coppa del Mondo Tiro con l’Arco Works
The Coppa del Mondo Tiro con l’Arco is a series of World Cup stages organized by World Archery, serving as both a competitive circuit and a qualification pathway for the Olympics. Each stage awards points toward the final standings, with the top teams earning spots in the World Cup Final.
The tournament format includes:
- Preliminary rounds: Teams are divided into groups and compete in a round-robin format.
- Elimination rounds: The top teams advance to a single-elimination bracket, culminating in the bronze and gold medal matches.
- Scoring: Matches are best-of-five sets, with each set won by the team that scores the most points in 12 arrows.
Olympic qualification implications: The top four teams in the final standings of the World Cup Final will secure Olympic spots. Italy currently sits in third place in the overall standings, just behind South Korea and France, according to World Archery’s official rankings.
Reader FAQ: What Does a Bronze Medal Mean for Italy’s Olympic Bid?
Q: Will a bronze medal guarantee Italy an Olympic spot?
A: Not directly. A bronze medal in Antalya would boost Italy’s ranking and confidence, but Olympic qualification is determined by the World Cup Final standings. Italy would need to finish in the top four of the final to secure a spot.
Q: How many Olympic spots are still available?
A: As of June 2024, five Olympic qualification spots remain available through the World Cup Final. Italy is currently one of the top contenders for these spots.
Q: What are Di Francesco and Borsani’s individual rankings?
A: Di Francesco is ranked 12th in the world in the men’s individual recurve, while Borsani is 28th. Their team ranking of third is a testament to their strong synergy.
How to Follow the Bronze Medal Match
The bronze medal match will be broadcast live on World Archery TV and available on YouTube. Fans can also follow updates on Twitter/X and Instagram for real-time commentary.
For those unable to watch live, official results and highlights will be posted shortly after the match concludes.
