Mengon’s late winner ends Italy’s twenty-eight-year European wait

Italy defeated Poland 29–28 in Kristianstad to earn their first European Championship victory since hosting the tournament in 1998. Both teams were already eliminated, but the result gave Italy third place in group F and a successful finish to their campaign.

Italy recovered from an early three-goal deficit and led 15–13 at half-time. Simone Mengon helped unlock Poland’s defence, and Italy maintained a narrow advantage through much of the second half before the final minute produced another change of direction.

With the score tied 28–28, Poland committed a faulty substitution and Mengon scored the winner in the last ten seconds. He finished with seven goals and the match award; Mikołaj Czapliński scored twelve for Poland.