Italian men reach compound team final after two shoot-off wins
Italy’s compound men’s team survived two shoot-offs to make it consecutive Hyundai Archery World Cup stage finals, while their female counterparts will also feature in the gold medal match at Central Florida 2025.
Ranked among the bottom two seeds after qualification, Marco Bruno, Elia Fregnan and Michea Godano had to compete in the only first-round match, where they outpointed Thailand 221-216 over the regular four-end accumulative compound scoring system.
The trio then stunned top seeds Mexico – featuring individual top qualifier Sebastian Garcia – with a 28-24 shoot-off win after tying at 224 each, before edging past India 29-27 in a second decider, all in gusty conditions at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
“It’s not easy to do two shoot-offs, especially against top teams like Mexico and India,” said Bruno, who won team gold at the most recent stage in Antalya last June. “We shot the shoot-off as if we had to shoot the last arrows of our life. So, we were at our best and that’s how we made it through.”
“In those moments, it’s about focusing on a clean shot, staying within the timing and praying it goes in the 10,” the 33-year-old added. “ With such strong wind, you get moved left and right, and it is very difficult to understand where the arrow goes.”
Italy guaranteed double representation in Saturday’s finals after Giulia Di Nardo, Elisa Roner and Marcella Tonioli ousted eventual bronze medallists and Pan American Championships gold medallists and USA in much more dominant fashion, 224-215.
Struggling with the swirling breeze, Alexis Ruiz, Olivia Dean and World Cup debutant Abigail Winterton managed just five 10s compared to the Italians’ 12 across 24 arrows — a clear edge for the reigning European Indoor Championships gold medallists.
“I didn’t move the sight so much, just the aim, and I moved the bubble a little bit because the wind kept shifting, it wasn’t always the same,” revealed Di Nardo, who, like Winterton, is making her circuit debut this week. “I was talking to my team, saying like, ‘What do we have to do? It’s a little to the left, a little to the right’.”
“It’s a funny thing – I love the team. It’s way easier when you get the confidence,” added the 20-year-old.
The USA edged past Chinese Taipei to secure bronze in front of the home crowd, whilst India – led by returning Berlin 2023 World Archery Champion Ojas Pravin Deotale – also grabbed men’s bronze thrashing Denmark of world number two Mathias Fullerton.
“I’m happy with the scores,” said Ojas. “It was quite windy, but the boys and I managed well. We still have to learn more from this wind as we head into the individual rounds and aim for more medals.”
Italy will face home nation USA in the compound men’s team gold medal match, which takes place on Saturday morning, whilst in form Mexico shall be their opponents in the women’s.
Italy will face the USA in the compound men’s team gold medal match on Saturday morning, while Mexico awaits them in the women’s final.
More archery is taking place this afternoon in Central Florida, with recurve qualifying.
Finals: Central Florida 2025
- Compound men team: Italy versus USA
- Compound women team: Mexico versus Italy
Watch coverage from Central Florida live with a subscription to archery+.
