17 March 2010 - The European Indoor Championships Start Today in Porec

The European Indoor Championships Start Today in Porec Lausanne – 17 March 2010 The European Indoor Championships start today in Porec (Croatia). Athletes will shoot in the Recurve and Compound divisions in the Junior and Senior categories.   The best European archers are in Porec this week for the 12th European Indoor Championships. Porec is a famous destination among the archery community: the city has been hosting a World Cup stage every year since the event was launched in 2006.    All the news and results will be available on www.emau.org and www.ianseo.net.   In Recurve Men, the defending European Indoor Champion from 2008 Marco GALIAZZO, who was also Olympic Champion in 2004, will be the one to beat. Marco will be challenged by his very experienced compatriot Michele FRANGILLI, who showed he is in great shape with a recent victory at the Tournament of Nimes. There he defeated GALIAZZO in the final. Other archers to watch closely are the 2009 World Indoor Champion Yavor Vasilev HRISTOV (BUL) as well as the silver and bronze medallists Rafa DOBROWOLSKI (POL) and Jean-Charles VALLADONT (FRA). Also we should not forget the 2008 Olympic champion Viktor RUBAN (UKR).   On the women’s side, all eyes will be on Bérengère SCHUH (photo), the world record holder at 18 m, who won the title in 2006 and showed her great shape with a victory at the Tournament of Nimes in January. The 2008 bronze medallist Pia LIONETTI (ITA) is in Porec along with compatriots Natalia VALEEVA, 2nd at the 2009 Indoor Worlds, and Elena TONETTA. The 2009 World Indoor Champion Karina WINTER (GER) will also fight for a medal in Porec.   In the compound division, the defending European Indoor Champion Sergio PAGNI is a big favourite. He is the current leader of the World Ranking and the champion of the World Cup Final in 2009. France will be represented in this category by the 2009 World Indoor bronze medallist (individual and team) Dominique GENET. Martin DAMSBO (DEN), Peter ELZINGA (NED) and Patrizio HOFER (SUI) could also medal in Porec.   Italy has sent great women compound archers as well. The 2008 European Indoor Champion Laura LONGO has had great success since then, having won the bronze medal at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Ulsan. She will be joined by team mates Eugenia SALVI, 2007 Indoor World Champion, and Amalia STUCCHI, who placed 3rd this year at the Tournament of Nimes. Other favourites are local archer Ivana BUDEN, 5th at the 2007 Indoor Worlds, Camilla SOEMOD (DEN) and Albina LOGINOVA (RUS), who dominated the outdoor compound category in 2009.     Programme  Tuesday 16 March Official Practice, Team Captains Meeting, Opening Ceremony Wednesday 17 March Qualifications in Recurve (morning) and Compound (afternoon) Thursday 18 March

Elimination Matches all the way to semifinals

Friday 19 March Finals (Juniors) Saturday  20 March Semifinals and finals (teams + individuals)        Vanahé ANTILLE FITA Communication