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11/04/2008
Athens - latest results
57kg Stephen "Swifty" Smith, England/GB lost 8 - 17 to Alessio di Savino, Italy.
Rd 1 2 - 2 Rd 2 4 - 5 Rd 3 5 - 9 Rd 4 8 - 17
Stephen "Swifty" Smith, Rotunda ABC, Liverpool, forced the contest from the off, but he had in front of him an illusive, long armed, Italian who is out of the same mould as Swifty, when it comes to ringcraft.
An even first round and a tight second bade well for Stephen, but Beijing was not to be, the judges preferred the counters of di Savino to the attacks of Smith.
di Savino switched from orthodox to southpaw and back again in rounds 2 & 3, being content to counter Stephen's attacks with fast arching shots from either hand. When Smith changed tactics and tried to counter punch the Italian, di Savino was more comfortable, so Steve had to force the pace.
5 - 9 down, at the end of the third round meant, Swifty had it all to do in the fourth and last. Once again, Stephen, chased his opponent, with even more fervor, but to little avail points wise, the final score being 8 - 17
Sport is often very cruel, Stephen is reigning Commonwealth Champion and European bronze medalist, he is more than good enough to go to the Olympics and win a medal there. Three times now Smith has battled his way to the Olympic qualifying decider and 3 times it was not to be. Really good performances here, in Athens and in the Olympic qualifier in Pescara, have not been enough for Stephen to realise his Olympic dream, he will be inconsolable.
Terry Edwards GB coach summed up the mood: "What can I say? Smithy's heart broken, he's put so much into the last two qualifiers, to fall at the final hurdle 3 times is tough to take."