Member Associations | 7 Apr 2024

After seven years, Mihai Bobocica clinched his seventh Italian title

Mihai BOBOCICA (Centro Sportivo Aeronautica Militare) had to wait for seven years, but finally at Palasport "Giosuè Poli" in Molfetta, he secured his seventh Singles title. He defeated Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) 4-2 in the finals. The bronze medalists were Tommaso GIOVANNETTI (Top Spin Messina), who was defeated in the semifinals by BOBOCICA, and Matteo MUTTI (Top Spin Messina), who was leading 3-0 but was overtaken by PICCOLIN.

"I've been waiting for this seventh title for a while," explained Bobocica, "because recent years haven't been very favorable. However, this indicates that the level of Italian table tennis is rising. There are many young players vying for the title, playing exceptionally well, and showing improvement. I'm thrilled that I could compete against them and secure the title. The last two matches were particularly challenging, but I knew it. I know Tommy and Jordy very well, and I've practiced with them extensively at the Technical Center in Terni. I'm aware of their strength. Recently, I suffered a defeat against PICCOLIN, and I took it as a lesson to avoid repeating the same mistakes. He caught me off guard last time, but this time I stepped onto the court more prepared to face him. The match could have gone either way, especially in the fifth set where I rallied from behind at 10-6. That made all the difference. If he had won that game, the situation would have been much more complicated. I hope this result will elevate my performance on the international stage and aid me in achieving my goal, which is also a dream, of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games."

In the Men's Doubles Carlo ROSSI (Marcozzi Cagliari) and John OYEBODE (Tennistavolo Sassari) clinched their first gold medals. In the match for the title they overcame 3-2 Leonardo MUTTI (Centro Sportivo Aeronautica Militare) and Matteo MUTTI (Top Spin Messina). In the semifinals ROSSI and OYEBODE prevailed 3-0 over Tommaso GIOVANNETTI (Top Spin Messina) and Daniele PINTO (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre), and the brothers MUTTI forced Antonino AMATO (Top Spin Messina) and Danilo FASO (Virtus Servigliano) to surrender 3-0.

Men's Singles:

Finals:

Mihai BOBICICA - Jordy PICCOLIN 4-2 (9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7)

Semifinals:

Mihai BOBOCICA - Tommaso GIOVANNETTI 4-2 (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-7)

Jordy PICCOLIN - Matteo MUTTI 4-3 (10-12, 6-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4)

Men's Doubles:

Finals:

Carlo ROSSI/John OYEBODE - Leonardo MUTTI/Matteo MUTTI 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8)

Semifinals:

Carlo ROSSI/John OYEBODE - Tommaso GIOVANNETTI/Daniele PINTO 3-0 (11-5, 12-10, 11-6)

Leonardo MUTTI/Matteo MUTTI - Antonino AMATO/Danilo FASO 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 12-10)