The first two events ended at the STAG European Veterans Championships in Rimini and the medals of the Paralympic tournaments were awarded for the first time in the history of the event. In the men’s singles in Over 40 paraclass 1-5 (wheelchair) England’s Simon HEAPS in the finals accounted for Italy’s Davide SCAZZIERI 3-1 (11-7 10-12 11-6 11-7). The bronze medals went to Italy thanks to Francesco BAGGIO who in the semifinals lost 3-1 (11-9 6-11 4-11 5-11) to HEAPS and Andrea GALLI who was defeated 3-0 (9-11 5-11 2-11) by SCAZZIERI.
In the singles Over 40 paraclass 6-10 (standing) the final match was really exciting. Germany’s Jens BECK was leading 2-0 (11-9 13-11) and Spain’s David ALONSO LOPEZ made a great comeback winning the third and fourth games (11-9 11-9) and rounding the table in the fifth game at 5-2. BECK kept on fighting and recovered prevailing in the last emotional points (11-9).
Italy’s Andrea FURLAN who was beaten in the semifinals 3-0 (10-12 6-11 7-11) by BECK and Manfredi Paolo BARONCELLI who lost 3-2 (6-11 12-10 11-7 3-11 5-11) to ALONSO classified third.
The medals were presented respectively by the vicepresident of the European Table Tennis Union Ina JOZEPSONE and by the deputy president of the Italian Table Tennis Federation Carlo BORELLA.
