Italy closes the XXXVI edition of the European Aquatic Disciplines Championships, being held in Rome in style. At the start of the day, Domenico Acerenza triumphed in the 10 km open water race of the After the silver in the 5 km behind teammate Gregorio Paltrinieri, 'Mimmo' got rid of the competition by increasing the pace in the last few metres and with a time of 1h50'33'6 won the gold medal. Frenchmen Marc-Antoine Olivier completed the podium, silver in 1h50'37'3, and Logan Fontaine, bronze with a time of 1h50'39'1. Seventh was Gregorio Paltrinieri (1h51'12'7), thirteenth Andrea Manzi (1h56'31'7). 

'It was a super tough race, ' explains Acerenza, ' in which on the last lap, we even missed the refuelling because we had not seen the boat. On the second lap, I could see someone in front, but I couldn't tell who it was. Finally, they told us they had a fifty-second lead on the third lap, so I started to push. The sea did not allow us to swim well, but it was a wonderful effort. I would like to thank my two clubs, the Fiamme Oro and Canottieri Napoli, the Federation and all those who supported me before and during the European Championships in Rome. Hearing the Mameli Anthem played is a great emotion for me. It makes one quiver‘.

In the women's Olympic distance race, Ginevra Taddeucci won the silver medal with a time of 2h01'15'2, behind only Germany's Leonie Antonia Beck (2h01'13'4). Bronze went to Portugal's Angelica André (2h01'15'2), who beat Dutchwoman Sharon Van Rouwendaal (2h01'16'6) in a photo finish. Fifth place for Rachele Bruni (2h01'31'5), seventh for Giulia Gabbrielleschi (2h02'09'3), already bronze in the 5 km. 

'With the waves, you couldn't see anything,' adds Ginevra, ' the sea rose, and swimming became more and more difficult. It was an exhausting effort. I'm so happy, I couldn’t believe it, I was just thinking it’ll get me- it won’t; in the end, I managed to resist. I tried to implement the experience of past competitions I have done, such as the Italian championships. I said to myself let's try to increase. Maybe I can keep myself in front. I knew that if I stayed at the back, then I couldn't get back up. I would say that this tactic went well. I dedicate this medal to myself, to my coach, who puts up with me so much because I am not easy to train, and to my parents, who have always accompanied me to training since I was a child and whom I wanted to repay in some way‘.

The national cross-country swimming team closed on a high note with the continental title in the 4x1250 metre Team Event. Rachele Bruni, Ginevra Taddeucci, Gregorio Paltrinieri and Domenico Acerenza took the top step of the podium with a time of 59'43'1, ahead of Hungary (59'53'9) and France (1h00'08'3).

'Very happy for this relay medal and to have won it with them. For me, it also means a new start,' says Bruni. 'What a thrill to sing the national anthem twice, almost unbelievable - Acerenza's joyCredit to everyone: Competing in such a strong, beautiful, and close-knit team is spectacular. 'Lucky day, I will always remember this 21 August. I am happy because we are a great team,' Taddeucci continued. 'We are competitive everywhere, in the sea as well as in the pool. We have very solid teams with many points. Our movement has grown, and today we represent the top. Credit to us and our coaches, our clubs and the Federation,' 'SuperGreg' concludes.

Italy also made the podium diving with Lorenzo Marsaglia and Giovanni Tocci in the synchro from the 3-metre springboard. The Italian pair won the silver medal with a score of 387.51, behind Britain's Anthony Harding and Jack Laugher (412.83). Bronze for Ukrainians Oleksandr Horshkovozov and Oleg Kolodiy (384.39).

'It was a good race,' explained Tocci, 'we knew the British were strong. We believed we would make it, and this time we are together on the podium and the same step. I believe that with a perfect performance, the English could have been beaten, but it would not have been so easy‘.'A European to be rewarded with a grade higher than ten, perhaps praise,' adds Marsaglia. They were unforgettable, exhilarating days in which we were always carried away by a warm audience‘. 

On the other hand, Andreas Sargent Larsen finished at the foot of the podium in the individual competition from the 10-metre platform. A great race by the Italian, who finished in fourth place with a score of 417.20. Gold for young Ukrainian phenom Oleksii Sereda (493.55 points), ahead of Great Britain's Noah Williams (459.00) and Ben Cutmore (438.35). Ninth position for the other Italian at the start, Eduard Timbretti Gugiu, with 333.85 points. Italy, therefore, closes this continental exhibition at home in first place on the medals table with a total of 67 medals: 24 gold, 24 silver and 19 bronze medals (Photo Andrea Masini and Diego Montano/DBM)