Italy is beginning to believe they can make it to the podium. As the second day of the competition comes to a close, the Italians are in third place closely following the Swedish who have a total of 426 strokes. This would be the first time since 1989, year of the first World Championships in Germany, that Italy would find itself on the podium: two years ago, at the World Championships in Steyr Austria, the team missed placing in the top 3 by only one stroke, taking fourth place behind Switzerland.
In the top position for the mens' team competition remains Germany, which has not won this competition since 1999 and is determined to take back the title this year. So far the Germans don't show any signs of losing their current position: they are playing with precision, intense concentration and are technically prepared, characteristics which easily leave them in the top position with over thirty accumulated strokes to their advantage- an advantage that will be difficult to surpass. Leaving the Italians, Swiss and Austrians fighting it out for the second and third places. As for the women, the first three positions are being closely fought out between Austria with 424 strokes, 426 for Sweden and 434 for Germany- tomorrow these three teams will compete for the highest position on the podium.
Tomorrow is the last day of team competition and in the afternoon an awards ceremony is planned on the courses of Relax Time in Canegrate. Then on Saturday the courses will be open only to the first 32 men and the best 16 women. Even in the mens' individual category the first three places go to Germans: in first is Harald Elbruch, who together with his brother Walter make an unbeatable team. And for the women the top positions now go to Melanie Blaser, followed by the Swedish Sandra Nordin and then to the two time world champion, Bianca Zodrow.