Flores takes Individual Open; Italy claims dramatic Open Team final

Carlos Flores stamped his authority on the Individual event at the 2023 ECSTFA European Championships in Gibraltar, though he did need a golden goal to beat Saverio Bari (ITA) 3-2 in the final.
Mark Gauci (MLT) and Christophe Dheur (BEL) were the losing semi finalists.

Flores scored 48 goals during the individual event (6.8 per match), conceding 14 (2 per match) – delivering entertaining matches for the spectators.

Of course, Flores was not the only winner.

Ferdinando Gasparini (ITA) claimed the Veterans tournament, with a 3-0 win against Vicenç Prats (ESP).

Losing semi finalists were Massimo Bolognino (ITA) (0-5 to Gasparini) and Gianfranco Calonico (ITA) (3-4 to Prats).

In the Women’s category, Emilie Despretz (BEL) beat countrywoman Delphine Dieudonne (BEL) 1-1 (3-2 shots) after a dramatic final.

Equal theird place went to Carolina Villarigues (POR) (2-3 to Dieudonne) and Paula Maireles (ESP) (0-2 to Despretz).

In the U20 category, Mattia Ferrante (ITA) beat countryman Leonardo Giudice (ITA) 1-0.

Riccardo Natoli (ITA) and Matteo Esposito (ITA) were the losing semifinalists in an all Italian top 4.

Francesco Manfredelli (ITA) took the U16 category, beating Angelo Bisio (ITA) 3-0.
Riccardo Berioli (ITA) (0-5 to Manfredelli) and Jérôme Cyganek (BEL) (3-4 to Bisio) were the losing semifinalists.

David Del Ben (ITA) dominated in the strong field of the U12, beating Julià Rosa (ESP) 6-1 in their final.
Samuele Bignardi (ITA) (lost on shots to Rosa) and Alberto Baratucci (ITA) (lost 1-5 to Del Ben) were the semi finalists.

In the teams events, the highlight was undoubtedly the Open final.
Belgium seemed headed for a famous victory when they led 2-0 with three minutes left, then 1-0 two minutes later, before Italy equalised in the last 60 seconds and the Italians grabbed victory with a golden goal.
Malta and Spain were the semi-finalists.