Games of the Mediterranean: with D’Odorico, Rizzi and Restivo there is a golden shower on Friuli

Three of a kind for the province of Udine on the penultimate day of the Mediterranean Games. In Oran, Algeria, the Italian and Friuli flags fly. On the top step of the podium went Sofia D’Odorico of San Giorgio di Nogaro, gold with the national volleyball team, and the Udinese Giulia Rizzi, gold in the individual sword.

The swimmer Matteo Restivo, also from Udine, entered the pool only for the preliminary rounds of the 4×100 mixed relay, contributing to his qualification in the final, in which Italy then swept away in 3: 35.27.

A stellar day for our region, which is confirmed as a land of great talents. A particular satisfaction for all of Friuli Venezia Giulia, for having contributed to overtaking Italy on Turkey in the medal table and to reaching first place one day before the end of the event.

In volleyball Italy beat Turkey 3-1 (26-24, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22), thus climbing back to the top step of the podium nine years later. It was a victory with the flavor of rematch, as Turkey had inflicted a clear defeat on the Italians in the qualifying round.

The victory of Italy was achieved thanks to the contribution of the whole team, of which Sofia D’Odorico is a fundamental pawn. Yesterday the spiker from San Giorgio di Nogaro, who will wear the Vallefoglia shirt next season, dragged the blue attack with great character, confirming her growth.

For Sofia this is the first medal at the Mediterranean Games. Last year he won the European Championships with the senior national team, of which he aspires to be part of on a permanent basis.

For Giulia Rizzi it is instead the second triumph… Mediterranean. The Friulian, who grew up on the Asu Udine platforms together with maestro Roberto Piraino, had already won individual gold in Cairo, in 2005, at the Mediterranean Championships, when she was just fifteen.

17 years later, a clearer affirmation has arrived for the Fiamme Oro swordsman, who has been training in Paris for some seasons. Giulia Rizzi’s match began with a group of 4 wins and 1 defeat. Having entered the knockout draw in the round of 16, the blue overtook the Algerian Maroua Gueham 15-0, then beat the French Coraline Vitalis 15-10 and, in the semifinal, also her teammate Roberta Marzani with a score of 15-12 .

A very well drawn semifinal, always in control for the Friulian, who also managed the final very well with her compatriot Nicol Foietta, won by 15-8.

For Giulia Rizzi, the season does not end with this precious gold. In the next few days she will be involved in the preparation of the World Cup in Cairo where she is called up as a reserve at home.

Matteo Restivo, who will compete today in the 200 backstroke with medal ambitions in view of the mid-month Italian summer absolute, yesterday unexpectedly went into the pool for the preliminary rounds of the 4×100 mixed relay, contributing to his qualification for the final.

Together with Fusco, Stefanì and Megli, the relay has closed second (3’43”34) in the first battery behind France. “I wasn’t expected to compete – the Friulian tells us – but my contribution was needed for the qualification and I’m happy to have given it”.