The Netherlands recurve women and the Italian recurve men will officially win Olympic team quota places when the European Championships closes on Sunday.
Both squads qualified for their respective finals – and both will face France, the host nation of Paris 2024, which already has a full team booked for its home Games. The tickets reserved for the winners here in Essen are guaranteed for the other finalists, no matter the outcome of the gold medal matches.
Today, Schloesser, Quinty Roeffen and Laura van der Winkel found new quality as they upset the top-seeded Germans in the semifinal, shooting two opening 57-point sets to put themselves in a commanding lead before firmly closing the match in the third.
Gaby Schloesser: “I’m super happy, the team means everything to me. Last year it was very bitter to miss the team ticket at the World Championships. It feels incredible now and on Sunday we are ready to win gold.”
Italy had 38 points on the board, with Mauro Nespoli and Federico Musolesi’s four arrows already downrange. Alessandro Paoli rose to the occasion, putting down two 10s and roaring in celebration.
Nespoli: “I was very terrified during all the matches. My teammates were amazing and shoot very well, better than me. The last end 58-57 was incredible and I shot two ten and was very happy for this. I need to become stronger before the games but now it´s time for party and on Sunday we want to defend the title. The qualification is so important, the last time I was alone. It will be my fifth games and it is very emotional for me and I need more time to understand.”
Competition continues at the European Championships with compound finals on Saturday in Essen.
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