Our coverage is finally over with these last few slideshows and our final audio interviews with England's joint manager Mark Downes and new World Champion Will Raison. We hope you have enjoyed what we've brought to you... a flavour of one of the most impressive and stunning World Championships in recent times. Grazie Italia
England's new World Champion, William Raison:
Some of Italy's 'finest' keep scrutiny over the proceedings on the opposite bank and pick up a few tricks of the trade from the many international stars on show. Some of Italy's 'finest' keep scrutiny over the proceedings on the opposite bank and pick up a few tricks of the trade from the many international stars on show.
The official bait check prior to the start of any international is the standard by which 99% of all matches are conducted on the continent. The downside is that several officials are required to conduct the operation. Considering continental matches are almost always 3 hours in duration, if they can do it within that time frame, why can't we fit it in within our FIVE HOURS? The benefits are a regulated bait allowance which applies to all, not just those who can afford more than the rest of us! The official bait check prior to the start of any international is the standard by which 99% of all matches are conducted on the continent. The downside is that several officials are required to conduct the operation. Considering continental matches are almost always 3 hours in duration, if they can do it within that time frame, why can't we fit it in within our FIVE HOURS? The benefits are a regulated bait allowance which applies to all, not just those who can afford more than the rest of us!
Portugal's Antonio Marques gives a masterful display of pole waving on B11... Portugal's Antonio Marques gives a masterful display of pole waving on B11...
he checks that there is sufficient room behind for his next movement... he checks that there is sufficient room behind for his next movement...
it's the classic '4 o-clock' position and we see our Carabinieri friends taking note of the performance... it's the classic '4 o-clock' position and we see our Carabinieri friends taking note of the performance...
the end result was a fine 2kg carp for Antonio. As a matter of interest we timed his actions at taking a little over 20 minutes to land. That was OK because he still had an hour left of the match. Antonio obviously squeezed in a few more 'beasts' before the end as he weighed in 10,400kg for a 5th in section. the end result was a fine 2kg carp for Antonio. As a matter of interest we timed his actions at taking a little over 20 minutes to land. That was OK because he still had an hour left of the match. Antonio obviously squeezed in a few more 'beasts' before the end as he weighed in 10,400kg for a 5th in section.
One of San Marino's heroes, Andrea Riccardi, who helped his side to an impressive silver medal. One of San Marino's heroes, Andrea Riccardi, who helped his side to an impressive silver medal.
Hungary's Balazs Csoregi nets a good carassio in A sections 'hot' area, and adds to his first days 4th in section to become his country's highest points scorer over the two days. Hungary's Balazs Csoregi nets a good carassio in A sections 'hot' area, and adds to his first days 4th in section to become his country's highest points scorer over the two days.
Italy's previous World and European champion, Umberto Ballabeni, nets another skimmer in A section, on his way to a belated section win with 11,250kg. Italy's previous World and European champion, Umberto Ballabeni, nets another skimmer in A section, on his way to a belated section win with 11,250kg.
Another of Portugal's solid performer's, Carlos Guimaraes netting one of the canal's smaller skimmers on A18. Carlos got the chance to fish Sunday when one of their lowest points scorers on Saturday stood down, a normal practice with many of the teams present. He finished the section in 9th place and with some other good scores from the team, Portugal pulled up from 20th place to a creditable final placing of 9th, with 151pts. Another of Portugal's solid performer's, Carlos Guimaraes netting one of the canal's smaller skimmers on A18. Carlos got the chance to fish Sunday when one of their lowest points scorers on Saturday stood down, a normal practice with many of the teams present. He finished the section in 9th place and with some other good scores from the team, Portugal pulled up from 20th place to a creditable final placing of 9th, with 151pts.
C section, looking towards the central bridge and high numbers. In the foreground is Italy's Stefano Defendi on C1 netting a carassio. Stefano was in the same section as Will Raison and although he won the section with 11,590kg, Will kept pace with him from the other end to finish in second place and secure his first World Championship crown. C section, looking towards the central bridge and high numbers. In the foreground is Italy's Stefano Defendi on C1 netting a carassio. Stefano was in the same section as Will Raison and although he won the section with 11,590kg, Will kept pace with him from the other end to finish in second place and secure his first World Championship crown.
Holland couldn't maintain their European form here after a poor day one. But Dieter Friederichs and the rest of the team produced a great effort on day two to move up eight places to 10th overall. Dieter, seen here trying to control an 'animal' which was travelling east... could have done with it in the net as it would have undoubtedly shot him into the section's top ten! Holland couldn't maintain their European form here after a poor day one. But Dieter Friederichs and the rest of the team produced a great effort on day two to move up eight places to 10th overall. Dieter, seen here trying to control an 'animal' which was travelling east... could have done with it in the net as it would have undoubtedly shot him into the section's top ten!
Our favourite Baltic angler... Rita Verja-Grabovs of Latvia. She had a mixed tournament, finishing in 23rd position in A section on day one, but became stronger during Sunday, in the same section, to move up to 15th place. Latvia, sadly, kept a consistent 30th place for each of the two days of competition. Our favourite Baltic angler... Rita Verja-Grabovs of Latvia. She had a mixed tournament, finishing in 23rd position in A section on day one, but became stronger during Sunday, in the same section, to move up to 15th place. Latvia, sadly, kept a consistent 30th place for each of the two days of competition.
South Africa's best performer over the tournament, Werner Lubbe, with his day two catch of 4,850kg from B24. His 10th place from day one gave him an overall 22pts, highly commendable from an small angling nation. And don't forget Jaco, South Africa's hero from day one as well. Keep it up lads! South Africa's best performer over the tournament, Werner Lubbe, with his day two catch of 4,850kg from B24. His 10th place from day one gave him an overall 22pts, highly commendable from an small angling nation. And don't forget Jaco, South Africa's hero from day one as well. Keep it up lads!
Des Shipp finally gets his hands on a good fish with just 30 minutes remaining, but it's too little too late and he ends up near the bottom of section A. Having effectively sewn up the match the previous day, England could afford a poor result, which was Des'. Fortunately it didn't effect the result, for which I'm sure Des was eternally grateful, as no angler wishes his poor score to have a bearing on a lost medal position. Des Shipp finally gets his hands on a good fish with just 30 minutes remaining, but it's too little too late and he ends up near the bottom of section A. Having effectively sewn up the match the previous day, England could afford a poor result, which was Des'. Fortunately it didn't effect the result, for which I'm sure Des was eternally grateful, as no angler wishes his poor score to have a bearing on a lost medal position.
England's Sean Ashby starts to catch well in the last hour. England's Sean Ashby starts to catch well in the last hour.
Red hot pegs Sean! The smelting works operated on a 24/7 basis and their molten pot discharge was quite an effective backdrop to some of our shots. Sean showed how 'hot' he was by powering into a section second in the last part of Sunday's match with a superb 11,800kg from B23. Red hot pegs Sean! The smelting works operated on a 24/7 basis and their molten pot discharge was quite an effective backdrop to some of our shots. Sean showed how 'hot' he was by powering into a section second in the last part of Sunday's match with a superb 11,800kg from B23.
A great result for England's Sean Ashby. Not only did he secure a section 2nd with this 11,800kg net, but he also pushed Italy's Gianluigi Sorti behind him... job done! A great result for England's Sean Ashby. Not only did he secure a section 2nd with this 11,800kg net, but he also pushed Italy's Gianluigi Sorti behind him... job done!
It looks as though Germany's European Champion Gunter Horler has been coaching some of the squad in playing fish on light elastics! Here Marco Beck adds a bit more pressure onto the fish by moving to the rear of his box. It looks as though Germany's European Champion Gunter Horler has been coaching some of the squad in playing fish on light elastics! Here Marco Beck adds a bit more pressure onto the fish by moving to the rear of his box.
Marco, like many of the team, had a poor tournament with the exception Rene Bredereck, who was a real shining light. He eventually finished in fourth individual place with 5.5pts. Marco, like many of the team, had a poor tournament with the exception Rene Bredereck, who was a real shining light. He eventually finished in fourth individual place with 5.5pts.
Germany's result reflected these scores, with a disappointing 12th overall placing. They'll be looking forward to Holland next year I bet!!! Germany's result reflected these scores, with a disappointing 12th overall placing. They'll be looking forward to Holland next year I bet!!!
European bronze medallist, Oleg Sadomtsev of Russia, couldn't bring his European form to these Championships and like his team, finished in a poor position, despite finishing 10th in section A on the final day... another case of too little too late. European bronze medallist, Oleg Sadomtsev of Russia, couldn't bring his European form to these Championships and like his team, finished in a poor position, despite finishing 10th in section A on the final day... another case of too little too late.
Wales had a real go at it on Sunday taking a brilliant 46pts, just 5pts away from Italy's forlorn charge at England's massive lead. Paul Fillamore was their best scorer on day one and followed it up with another solid result on Sunday when he finished 9th in section B. But Wales' star player on Sunday was Lee Edwards with a brilliant win in section E. All the Welsh lads gave their recuperating boss Eric, a great tournament tonic by finishing in overall 6th place! Wales had a real go at it on Sunday taking a brilliant 46pts, just 5pts away from Italy's forlorn charge at England's massive lead. Paul Fillamore was their best scorer on day one and followed it up with another solid result on Sunday when he finished 9th in section B. But Wales' star player on Sunday was Lee Edwards with a brilliant win in section E. All the Welsh lads gave their recuperating boss Eric, a great tournament tonic by finishing in overall 6th place!
Serbia's 'Mr Barbel', Goran Radovic, didn't weigh in any this time, but did manage this carassio to help him to 10th in section B. His Serbian team fell by the wayside here in Italy, with a very poor showing after this years European and Junior promising results. Serbia's 'Mr Barbel', Goran Radovic, didn't weigh in any this time, but did manage this carassio to help him to 10th in section B. His Serbian team fell by the wayside here in Italy, with a very poor showing after this years European and Junior promising results.
San Marino pulled one over on their 'Big Brother' Italy. With a few more better pegs they may even have overturned England and snatched gold! Massimo Biordi drew the peg which finished bottom of the section the previous day, A10, but still managed a creditable 24th place from it on day two. San Marino pulled one over on their 'Big Brother' Italy. With a few more better pegs they may even have overturned England and snatched gold! Massimo Biordi drew the peg which finished bottom of the section the previous day, A10, but still managed a creditable 24th place from it on day two.
England's Des Shipp was the teams best performer during practice week, but it counted for nothing on day two. A poor draw in section A left him languishing near the bottom after a brilliant fight-back the previous day to take a section second! England's Des Shipp was the teams best performer during practice week, but it counted for nothing on day two. A poor draw in section A left him languishing near the bottom after a brilliant fight-back the previous day to take a section second!
Gianluigi obviously feels he needs one of Italy's ferocious guard dogs to keep England off his back... it didn't work! Gianluigi obviously feels he needs one of Italy's ferocious guard dogs to keep England off his back... it didn't work!
Gianluigi pots in more stickymag to try and keep his place in the section rankings. Gianluigi pots in more stickymag to try and keep his place in the section rankings.
Poland had an indifferent tournament. Here, their Wojciech Kaminiski nets a good skimmer while having a quick smoke. He did eventually finish second to Italy's Umberto Ballabeni, perhaps without the 'fag' breaks he might have beaten him? Poland had an indifferent tournament. Here, their Wojciech Kaminiski nets a good skimmer while having a quick smoke. He did eventually finish second to Italy's Umberto Ballabeni, perhaps without the 'fag' breaks he might have beaten him?
The perfect end to our slideshow. While Italy finished without the 'Crown', they still had a few 'jewels' on the bankside during the weigh in... Bellissimo! The perfect end to our slideshow. While Italy finished without the 'Crown', they still had a few 'jewels' on the bankside during the weigh in... Bellissimo!
The final day is now underway with the traditional 'fill it in session'...
quite impressive if you're not familiar with it and it makes a spectacular view
from the overlooking bridge!
