Wroclaw compound finals: match-up line-up broken down…

With the Lausanne compound invitations already settled, none of the archers shooting in the Wroclaw compound finals can change their World Cup Final fortunes – they’re already either in or out. But that doesn’t mean these medal matches are any less important.

Featuring a showdown between the two top-ranked compound men in the world, a match offering the USA timely revenge – and one of Mexico’s four team gold finals – here are the picks for compound Saturday at Wroclaw…

Compound men’s individual gold (afternoon session): DELOCHE (FRA) versus WILDE (USA)

The World Cup’s most decorated archer, Reo WILDE, shot two 150s in a row to qualify for this final. But Reo, representing the States, is currently world number two – and qualified just seventh at this event after making changes to his bow set-up.

Number one in the world is Pierre Julien DELOCHE, the Belek 2013 World Championships runner-up – and WILDE’s opponent in this Wroclaw final.

Both have already secured an invitation to Lausanne 2014, and Reo’s beaten PJ each of their last three meetings dating back to 2011. WILDE’s been on point this tournament, and has to be favourite to make it four in a row.

Advantage: WILDE

Compound men’s individual bronze (afternoon session): DAMBSO (DEN) versus DAMBAEV (RUS)

Unlike the gold medal finalists, neither Martin DAMSBO or Alexander DAMBAEV are ranked high enough to go to this year’s World Cup Final. They both lost hope of accruing enough points when they lost their semifinals this week.

Defending World Cup Final Champion Martin hasn’t collected a World Cup stage medal since Antalya 2013.

It’s time he rectified that – over last year’s Wroclaw bronze medallist, DAMBAEV.

Advantage: DAMSBO

Compound women’s individual gold (afternoon session): LOPEZ (COL) versus COSKUN (TUR)

Sara LOPEZ is 19 years old, COSKUN 20 – and both first made their national teams in 2013.

In Shanghai, LOPEZ lost the gold final to Korea’s CHOI Bomin when her bow malfunctioned and she did not have a working spare. It’s the young Colombian’s third final in three years – and she’s the 15-arrow-match world record holder.

But COKSUN’s no slouch: she already beat Albina LOGINOVA this week, and took bronze at this year’s European Championships in Armenia. Still, Sara’s young but impressive pedigree gives her the edge.

Advantage: LOPEZ

Compound women’s individual bronze (afternoon session): COLIN (USA) versus LOGINOVA (RUS)

There’s only one compound woman in the world that it’s ever okay to choose ahead of Albina LOGINOVA in a finals match: Erika JONES. Erika’s States teammate Christie COLIN did come third at Tokyo 2012 – the World Cup Final two years ago – but Albina’s got an unmatched record.

LOGINOVA has won two world championships, been in three world finals, two World Cup Finals and won a silver medal in Armenia a couple of weeks ago, at the Europeans…

She’ll be in Lausanne in less than a month looking to pick up her second World Cup Final title after Edinburgh 2010 – likely with a Wroclaw 2014 bronze in her trophy cabinet.

Advantage: LOGINOVA

Compound mixed team gold (afternoon session): USA versus India

The USA compound mixed team has never been beaten by India – and they’ve met three times in international competition. Most recently was in the Shanghai 2014 semifinals, when the States only dropped a single point on route to a 159-156 victory.

Despite often being favourites, the USA haven’t won mixed team gold this year: Erika JONES and Bridger DEATON were second at Shanghai, JONES and Reo WILDE third at Medellin – JONES and Braden GELLENTHIEN fifth at Antalya.

In Wroclaw, it’s GELLENTHIEN and Crystal GAUVIN’s turn – to retain the last mixed team gold the nation one, here last year – against an India that has never won the event.

Having said all that – and it’s a risky pick – but Indian archers have been shooting really well this week.

Advantage: India

Compound men’s team gold (morning session): Denmark versus Mexico

This is the third time these two teams have met in 2014 – and so far the series is split. (Indoor worlds semi went to Denmark, Mexico won in the Antalya first round.)

One of these teams, though, is the reigning world champion… and the other has lost both the bronze finals it’s made this season.

Advantage: Denmark

Compound women’s team gold (morning session): Russia versus USA

Russia broke the USA team’s stranglehold on World Cup stage gold medals in Antalya this year – after the States won Shanghai and Medellin as part of a streak stretching back into last year. This rematch offers the USA a chance at revenge.

The Russian team actually won the match before, too – at Odgen 2012 – and leads the series 6-5 since 2006.

But… this is too close to call.

Advantage: Push

Follow results from the last 2014 Archery World Cup stage in Wroclaw. Check World Archery’s news coverage, Facebook page and @worldarchery on Twitter.

People
Competitions