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Italy’s Matilde Molinari claimed the European Cadet Women’s Foil Championship title on Thursday in Novi Sad as Serbian hosts move on to the under-17 category of the tournament.

Molinari started the day without dropping a fight in first round and her early performance saw her ranked fourth for the knockout stages. She earned a bye through the incomplete round of 64 and went on to beat Eleni Ballou (AUT) 15-7, Greta Collini (MDA) 15-9 and Fatima Anbarlilar (TUR) 15-11 to make the medal matches. She faced teammate Sofia Giordani in the semi-finals who was ranked eighth after the poules. Molinari was taken to time in the match but won 14-6 to make the final.

The other half of the draw saw Jazmin Papp (HUN) face Alisa Isbir (TUR) in the semi-final after both had battled their way through some tough fights. Papp won 15-10 to guarantee at least the silver medal.

Papp got the better start in the final going 3-0 up before a patient and tactically sound Molinari took control of the fight. Careful pressing and solid defence saw her open up a 13-7 before the first break. Papp did make some ground in the second period but Molinari went on to take the first cadet title 15-10