The European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, are starting on the right foot for Italy.
In the men's segment that opened the continental review, the best blue on the ice is also the most awaited on the eve, namely Daniel Grassl.
The 19-year-old from Fiamme Oro from Merano is currently in fifth place, in the running for a podium finish at the moment just over 7 points away with the top of the provisional standings only 8 points away.
Lorenzo Magri's pupil brought a solid and convincing short program onto the ice today, valued by the judges as worthy of 91.75 points. On the notes of "Nureyev" by Ilan Eshkeri, Grassl responded present both technically and artistically, remaining in the wake of the leading trio formed, in order, by the Russians Mozalev, Kondratiuk and Semenenko, enclosed in less than 70 hundredths of points with the leader at 99.76. For the South Tyrolean talent the possibility, in the free on Friday, to go on the attack to hit a podium that would improve the 4th place of 2020 which at the moment represents his best career placement in a European championship.
The other two Azzurri in the race also did well: Gabriele Frangipani (Fiamme Oro) in fact closed in the top ten at mid-race with 81.79 points that earned him provisional ninth place while Nikolaj Memola (IceLab) - called to replace Matteo Rizzo - was also it performed well at its debut in the continental review by signing a first segment of 73.98 points, personal best, with which it currently wins the 12th place.
From 6.45 pm space for artistic couples to complete the picture of the first day of competitions.
On the ice for Italy Conti-Macii (IceLab) at 20.37 and Ghilardi-Ambrosini (IceLab) at 21.44.