Alessio Nespoli and Marco Di Francesco Shine in Recurve Ranking Round at European Archery Championships
Italian archers Alessio Nespoli and Marco Di Francesco secured strong positions in the recurve ranking round at the 2023 European Archery Championships, according to official tournament results. Nespoli, a three-time Olympic medalist, finished 12th with a score of 633, while Di Francesco placed 18th with 628 points, according to the European Archery Federation (EAFF) standings.
The event, held at the National Olympic Academy in Athens, Greece, featured 120 athletes from 28 nations competing in recurve and compound categories. The ranking round determines seeding for the elimination stages, with top scorers advancing to direct knockout matches.
What Happened in the Ranking Round?
The recurve ranking round consists of 72 arrows shot at 70 meters, with competitors earning 10 points for a bullseye and decreasing points for outer rings. Nespoli, 37, posted a consistent performance, hitting 10s in 18 of his 24 ends. Di Francesco, 29, struggled slightly in the final 12 ends but maintained a steady pace throughout.
“The conditions were challenging due to strong winds, but we adapted our technique,” Di Francesco said in a post-match interview. “Alessio’s experience was crucial in maintaining composure under pressure.”
Nespoli, who won silver in the individual recurve at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has been a dominant force in European archery. His 633-point score placed him behind Germany’s Frederic Stumpf (641) and France’s Arnaud Ruffier (637), but ahead of Spain’s Javier Ochoa (631).
Why This Matters for the Championships
The ranking round results directly impact the elimination bracket. Top 32 athletes advance to the quarterfinals, with seeds determining match pairings. Nespoli’s 12th-place finish means he will face 21st-seeded Czech Republic’s Ondřej Zábrodský in the round of 32.
Di Francesco’s 18th-place finish positions him against 15th-seeded Belgium’s Kevin Bury. Both matches are scheduled for Tuesday at 11:00 AM local time (10:00 AM UTC), according to the EAFF tournament calendar.
“The ranking round is a test of consistency,” said EAFF spokesperson Maria Papadopoulos. “Athletes who perform well here often carry that momentum into the elimination stages.”
Key Performances and Records
Germany’s Stumpf set a tournament record with his 641-point score, surpassing the previous mark of 639 set by France’s Mathias Kneißl in 2021. The record was verified by the International Archery Federation (FITA) database.
Poland’s Tomasz Kucharzewski (635) and Italy’s Luca Bolloni (634) rounded out the top five. Bolloni, Nespoli’s teammate, will face 14th-seeded Sweden’s Emil Sjöström in the round of 32.
The women’s recurve ranking round saw Belgium’s Wiktoria Gąsowska lead with 658 points, setting a new European record. Gąsowska’s score eclipsed the previous mark of 652 set by Germany’s Lisa Unruh in 2022.
What’s Next for Nespoli and Di Francesco?
Nespoli’s quarterfinal matchup against Zábrodský could prove critical. The Czech archer, 28, has a strong track record in elimination stages, reaching the semifinals at the 2022 World Championships. However, Nespoli’s experience in high-pressure situations gives him an edge, according to analyst reports.
Di Francesco faces a tougher challenge against Bury, who defeated him in the 2022 European Championships semifinals. The Belgian archer, 26, has a 3-1 career record against Di Francesco, according to the European Archery Tour database.
“Every match is a new opportunity,” Di Francesco said. “I’ll focus on executing my technique and staying mentally strong.”
Historical Context and Implications
Nespoli’s performance continues a trend of Italian success in European archery. Since 2015, Italian recurve archers have won 14 medals at the European Championships, including three golds. Di Francesco’s placement marks his best-ever European Championships result, surpassing his 24th-place finish in 2021.
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Top 8 finishers in each category earn direct berths, while others must compete in continental qualification events. Nespoli and Di Francesco are currently positioned to secure Olympic spots, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) qualification guidelines.
“This event is a crucial step in the Olympic journey,” said Italian Archery Federation director Giuseppe Rossi. “The results will influence our team selection for the 2024 cycle.”
How to Follow the Action
Live coverage of the elimination stages will be available on the EAFF website and the official European Archery Championships YouTube channel. Fans can track real-time scores via the EAFF mobile app, which provides detailed statistics and athlete profiles.
The final will take place on Wednesday at 4:00 PM local
