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Germany impressive, Schloesser seeds top in Munich qualification

7 June 2022

Munich, Germany

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Florian Unruh tops recurve qualification at Munich 2022

The host nation pair of Florian Unruh (687) and Michelle Kroppen (675) took the number one recurve seeds while world number one Mike Schloesser (712) and Great Britain’s Ella Gibson (709) qualified as the top compounds after a wet first competition day at the 2022 European Championships in the Olympia Schiessanlage Hochbrück in Munich, Germany.

The day was extra special for both Unruh and Gibson, who were both celebrating their birthdays.

Dutch shooter Schloesser, who has yet to win an individual medal at a European Championships, ensured his third consecutive top seed at a major event this season after a 711 in Antalya and 710 in Gwangju led qualifying at the first and second stages of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup.

“If I take off my last end I’m very satisfied, the last end was not pretty but the rest was good,” said Schloesser, who had registered 713-plus in qualification since 2015, before this season.

“I try to be,” added the 28-year-old when asked if he was unbeatable. “Every competition I go to I want to show my best and see if I can come out with the win. If I keep going like this I have a chance.”

Germany is also hoping they have a chance for medals, with the country’s recurvers in excellent form so far this season. The host nation pair of Florian Unruh and Michelle Kroppen gave the home fans something to cheer about after the first 72 arrows of this week’s event.

“I am very happy,” said Kroppen, who shot a 675, eight clear of the second-placed Penny Healey. “I know this field is very tricky. I just had fun and I really enjoyed my first round, it was like a flow. I am very happy with my result.”

“Of course, I always want to shoot more but for the European Championships it’s very good to shoot a score here [like this] to feel confident. Everything can happen in archery and I will try to repeat my technique from today, make strong shots and then we will see.”

Unruh turned 29 today but was not getting carried away with his celebrations.

“It’s not the biggest birthday present, but it’s a very good one, a personal best,” he said. “I had a good day, it was very, very fun. I just want to shoot good as always.”

Rainy conditions at Munich 2022 on qualification day

The winner of the Hyundai Archery World Cup season opener and runner-up at this event last year, Ella Gibson returned to the international stage after missing Gwangju to beat reigning European Champion Tanja Gellenthien to the top seed on X-count. Both scored 709 points for the 72-arrow 50-metre round, and both shot 61 10s – but Gibson had seven more Xs, 31 to 24.

(The X is the small ring in the very centre of the target, half the size of the 10.)

“It was a massive mixed bag, I started really poorly but I just couldn’t seem to hit a 60 for the life of me,” said the world number five.

“I spoke to my coach a little bit. I shortened my draw length by half a twist. I got a bow press out, shortened my draw length. Then I opened the following end with a 5X 60, and it went much nicer from there, I think I only dropped three points after doing that so I was much happier and it was a nice finish.”

“I try not to make too many big goals for each stage and just take it one day at a time,” added Gibson, who was celebrating her 22nd birthday today. “I’ll see what we can do this week and how I can finish.”

Gellenthien was squeezed out for the top spot – but registered one of her highest-ever totals in qualification.

“The weather definitely made us fight for it [but] I shot one of the best scores I ever have at a tournament,” said the Dane. “I’m really happy overall. The goal is to always do really well in the finals. I’ve heard there are also some European Games tickets up for grabs so, hopefully, I can get one of those.”

Competition continues on Wednesday in Munich with early eliminations in the morning and mixed team eliminations in the afternoon.