Gold for Russia, Sweden, China and India!

  Recurve Men  Gold Medal – India (IND) vs Russia (RUS) Russia trailed by one point (54-55) in the first end, but could recover in the second end to tie the match at 108 points at half-way mark.   Both teams were eager to win with good shots on each side. However, India could take the lead in the third end with 164-162. Russia showed their best in the last end, but it was not enough to beat the Indians. India took gold home with a final score of 220-218.   Bronze Medal – Italy (ITA) vs China (CHN) An interesting match between these two teams, as the first end was in favour of the Chinese with 54-52. The second end changed the leader as Italy shot a wonderful 10-10-9-9-10-10 end to lead by two points 110-108.   As of the third end, the Italians increased their lead to four points and never let the Chinese to get closer, even though they tried hard. Italy won bronze! Final score: 221-219   Recurve Women  Gold Medal – France (FRA) vs China (CHN) France started slightly ahead in this match with 51-50, with still windy conditions on the field. But the second end changed it all, as the French shot a low arrow-series with three 7s. At the half-way mark, the score was 104-99 for China.   China kept on increasing their lead in the second half and never let go. They finally won the gold medal with a final score of 214-200.   Bronze Medal – India (IND) vs Ukraine (UKR) There was a pretty good performance in dusty conditions for the team of India, as they took the lead in the first end with 53 points, against a low 49-point series by their opponents.   However, the Indians could not manage the windy conditions as they did in the first end and went on shooting 7-9-8-8-9-6 all on the right side of the target. The Ukrainians tied the match at 100 points. A big move for Ukraine as they took the lead in the third end with 154-150!   The last end for India was quite stressful as the last arrow slipped from the arrow rest with only 5 seconds were left on the clock… it landed on the 5 ring. Ukraine confirmed their win with a great 58-point end. Bronze went to Ukraine with a final score of 212-197.   Compound Men  Gold Medal – Italy (ITA) vs Sweden (SWE) The Italian team beat Sweden in the gold final here in Porec at the 2008 World Cup.   The Swedish shot first in this match, but three 8s in the first end gave the advantage to the Italians with 53-52. The second end changed it all, as the Italians shot one 7 and one 8, while the Swedish kept it up with only 10s and 9s. At the half-way mark, the score was 108-105 for Sweden.   Italy brought the heat to the field with two beautiful centre shots recovering one point but Sweden still ahead with 164-162. However, the Italians could not keep up with an 8 in the first arrow of the last end, especially after the Swedes concluded with an amazing 9-10-10-10-10-10 end. Sweden took gold home with the final score of 223-219.  Bronze Medal – Germany (GER) vs Denmark (DEN) The only significant result for the German team in the recent years was a final at the 2003 European Grand Prix in Porec and a bronze medal at the European championships in Athens 2006.   The score was tied after the first end, as both teams shot 54 points. With a 7 on the German side, the Danes could take a 1-point lead with 110-109. The Danish archers could increase the gap greatly as they shot 10-10-10-10-9-9, against 7-10-9-10-10-8 for the Germans. The score was then 168-163. The Danish just kept on doing the right thing and went on to win the bronze medal with a final score of 225-220.   Compound Women   Gold Medal – Russia (RUS vs Germany (GER) Russia beat Germany for gold at the 2008 Santo Domingo World Cup, so this was a revenge match.   Germany shot first and scored 55 points. Russia shot a good first end with only three 9s and three 10s for 57 points to lead the first end. The Russian team shot a 5 in the second arrow of the second end, which gave a big opportunity for the Germans to leave the Russians behind. At the half-way mark, the score was 109-105 for the Germans.   The Russians tried their very best to come back with only 10s and 9s, as the Germans also did some mistakes with a two 8s and one 7 in the third end. The Russians took take again the lead with 162-160 and finally went on to win the gold medal with a final score of 216-214.   Bronze Medal – Italy (ITA) vs Netherlands (NED) The Dutch team was silver medallist of the 2008 European championships, where they beat Italy in the semifinal. However, Italy has had much more experience in final matches of the World Cup.   Shooting first in this match for bronze, the Dutch started with 56 points, as two liner 9s were confirmed as 10s. With a 56 points opening end, the Italians tied the match. The Netherlands went on shooting 111 points at the half-way mark. But the Italians took a 1-point lead by scoring three 10s (112 points).   The Italians must have felt some pressure as they shot a low third end with 9-9-9-9-8-8. The Dutch archers took then a 2-point advantage with 9-8-10-9-10-10 (167-165). The Italians tried hard to come back in the last end, but the Dutch would not let victory do. Team Netherlands won the bronze medal with a final score of 223-220.   Chantal STEINER FITA Communication