Teamul României alcătuit dinGeorge Dragomir, Vlad Covaliu, Radu Nițu și Răzvan Ursachi a avut un parcurs excelent până în finală. A eliminat Marea Britanie, scor 45-22, a trecut cu brio de echipa Rusiei care a concurat sub steag neutru (AIN), scor 45-27, iar în semifinale a învins Franța cu scorul 45-42.

În ultimul act, elevii antrenorilor Alin Badea și Tiberiu Dolniceanu au cedat în fața reprezentanților Ungariei, la capătul unei dispute extrem de tensionate. Românii au condus, maghiarii au egalat, tricolorii au revenit, iar pe final cei care s-au impus  cu  scorul 45-43 au fost ungurii.

La individual, sabrerul George Dragomir a obținut medalia de bronz la capătul unui parcurs onorabil. A ieșit din grupe cu 5 victorii și a fost desemnat favoritul numărul 1 pe tabloul principal, unde s-a calificat în semifinale după victoriile în fața lui Santiago Madrigal, din Spania (scor 15-7), campionului mondial en-tire Sandro Bazadze din Georgia, scor 15-13, și ungurului Krisztian Rabb, scor 15-14.

În penultimul act însă, cu medalia de bronz asigurată, George Dragomir nu a trecut de francezul Jean Philippe Patrice (scor 7-15).
Patrice a câștigat ulterior aurul în fața compatriotului său Maxime Pianfetti, scor 15-13. Cealaltă medalie de bronz a revenit ungurului Andrasz Szatmari.

Sursa foto: European Fencing Confederation

Silver and Bronze for Romania at the European Fencing Championships in France

Romania concluded the European Fencing Championships in Antony, France, with two medals, both in sabre: a silver medal in the men's team sabre event and a bronze medal in the men's individual sabre competition, won by George Dragomir.

The Romanian team, consisting of Vlad Covaliu, Radu Nițu, Răzvan Ursachi and George Dragomir, enjoyed an outstanding run to the final. They defeated Great Britain 45-22, comfortably overcame the Russian team competing under the Neutral Individual Athletes (AIN) flag, 45-27, and then edged host nation France 45-42 in the semifinals.

In the final, coached by Alin Badea and Tiberiu Dolniceanu, the Romanian squad was narrowly defeated by Hungary after a thrilling contest. Romania took the lead, Hungary fought back to level the score, the Romanians regained the advantage, but in the closing stages the Hungarians prevailed 45-43 to claim the European title.

In the individual competition, sabreur George Dragomir earned the bronze medal after an impressive campaign. He finished the pool stage with five victories, securing the No. 1 seed in the direct elimination draw. He advanced to the semifinals by defeating Spain's Santiago Madrigal (15-7), Georgia's Sandro Bazadze (15-13), and Hungary's Krisztian Rabb (15-14).

With at least a bronze medal already guaranteed, Dragomir was defeated in the semifinal by France's Jean-Philippe Patrice, 15-7.

Patrice went on to win the gold medal by defeating fellow Frenchman Maxime Pianfetti 15-13 in the final. The second bronze medal was awarded to Hungary's András Szatmári.

Photo credit: European Fencing Confederation