The first Italian National Championships in Premodern were held on Sunday the 26th of August, hosted by the local game store Gamic in Massa, Tuscany. With 24 players, it was the largest Premodern tournament held so far. Not surprising, as the Italian Premodern community has grown rapidly lately, having the largest national playerbase at the moment.

Glory, a grandiose cup and Premodern boosters were at stake. The winner was also granted free entry to the European Championships in Premodern to be held in Genova, Italy on the 28th of October, hosted by Fishliver Oil Cup. (More about that in a future post, but you can pre-register for the tournament here already.)

Five rounds of swiss were played, followed by a top 8. The field of competing decks looked as follows:

4 Sligh
3 UW Standstill
3 The Rock
2 Goblins
2 UG Madness
1 Astral Slide
1 Recurring Survival
1 Reanimator
1 Aluren
1 4C Control
1 Stasis
1 UB Zombie (?)
1 BUG Control
1 WW Land Tax
1 Mono G Stompy

A pretty diverse field, but notably no Trix, no combo decks based on Yawgmoth’s Bargain and no Enchantress, the deck that won the Swedish Nationals a few months ago.

At the end of the day, Stefano Mannella came out on top with his UW Standstill deck. (This deck should be familiar for those who have browsed the deck gallery of this website, as the version listed there only differs by two sideboard cards.) He thereby became the first Italian national champ—congratulations! 😀

The champ. Flanked by the store owner and organizer Marco Mazzei, who also made it to the top 8.

So, you came just for the top 8 decklists? Ok ok, here we go:

Italian Nationals: Stefano Mannella, 1st

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Instants and Sorceries: 29

4 Swords to Plowshares

4 Impulse

4 Mana Leak

3 Counterspell

1 Disenchant

1 Dismantling Blow

1 Renewed Faith

2 Absorb

3 Fact or Fiction

3 Wrath of God

3 Decree of Justice

Others: 5

1 Powder Keg

4 Standstill

Lands: 26

4 Adarkar Wastes

1 Coastal Tower

2 Faerie Conclave

4 Flooded Strand

2 Wasteland

4 Mishra's Factory

5 Island

4 Plains

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

4 Hydroblast

1 Blue Elemental Blast

2 Circle of Protection: Red

2 Disenchant

2 Gainsay

1 Aura of Silence

1 Humility

1 Light of Day

1 Exalted Angel

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Stefano Mannella, 1st ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Instants and Sorceries: 29 4 Swords to Plowshares 4 Impulse 4 Mana Leak 3 Counterspell 1 Disenchant 1 Dismantling Blow 1 Renewed Faith 2 Absorb 3 Fact or Fiction 3 Wrath of God 3 Decree of Justice Others: 5 1 Powder Keg 4 Standstill Lands: 26 4 Adarkar Wastes 1 Coastal Tower 2 Faerie Conclave 4 Flooded Strand 2 Wasteland 4 Mishra's Factory 5 Island 4 Plains SIDEBOARD (15) 4 Hydroblast 1 Blue Elemental Blast 2 Circle of Protection: Red 2 Disenchant 2 Gainsay 1 Aura of Silence 1 Humility 1 Light of Day 1 Exalted Angel ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Lorenzo Novaro, 2nd

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Others: 11

2 Claws of Gix

1 Feldon's Cane

1 Black Vise

1 Library of Leng

2 Powder Keg

4 Stasis

Instants and Sorceries: 25

2 Sleight of Hand

1 Chain of Vapor

2 Daze

4 Impulse

2 Counterspell

1 Cunning Wish

1 Capsize

4 Thwart

2 Foil

4 Gush

2 Misdirection

Creatures: 1

1 Morphling

Lands: 23

4 Forsaken City

19 Island

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

1 Blue Elemental Blast

1 Hydroblast

1 Stifle

1 Chain of Vapor

1 Snap

3 Chill

1 Arcane Denial

1 Mana Short

1 Ensnare

2 Jester's Cap

2 Submerge

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Lorenzo Novaro, 2nd ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Others: 11 2 Claws of Gix 1 Feldon's Cane 1 Black Vise 1 Library of Leng 2 Powder Keg 4 Stasis Instants and Sorceries: 25 2 Sleight of Hand 1 Chain of Vapor 2 Daze 4 Impulse 2 Counterspell 1 Cunning Wish 1 Capsize 4 Thwart 2 Foil 4 Gush 2 Misdirection Creatures: 1 1 Morphling Lands: 23 4 Forsaken City 19 Island SIDEBOARD (15) 1 Blue Elemental Blast 1 Hydroblast 1 Stifle 1 Chain of Vapor 1 Snap 3 Chill 1 Arcane Denial 1 Mana Short 1 Ensnare 2 Jester's Cap 2 Submerge ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Andrea Righetti, 3rd

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Creatures: 37

4 Goblin Lackey

4 Skirk Prospector

3 Mogg Fanatic

4 Goblin Piledriver

4 Gempalm Incinerator

3 Goblin Matron

4 Goblin Warchief

1 Goblin Sharpshooter

1 Goblin Pyromancer

4 Goblin Ringleader

2 Clickslither

3 Siege-Gang Commander

Lands: 23

4 Karplusan Forest

4 Wooded Foothills

3 Wasteland

11 Mountain

1 Forest

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

2 Pyroblast

1 Red Elemental Blast

1 Goblin Sharpshooter

1 Goblin Tinkerer

2 Naturalize

1 Hull Breach

2 Goblin King

1 Anarchy

1 Pandemonium

3 Pyrokinesis

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Andrea Righetti, 3rd ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Creatures: 37 4 Goblin Lackey 4 Skirk Prospector 3 Mogg Fanatic 4 Goblin Piledriver 4 Gempalm Incinerator 3 Goblin Matron 4 Goblin Warchief 1 Goblin Sharpshooter 1 Goblin Pyromancer 4 Goblin Ringleader 2 Clickslither 3 Siege-Gang Commander Lands: 23 4 Karplusan Forest 4 Wooded Foothills 3 Wasteland 11 Mountain 1 Forest SIDEBOARD (15) 2 Pyroblast 1 Red Elemental Blast 1 Goblin Sharpshooter 1 Goblin Tinkerer 2 Naturalize 1 Hull Breach 2 Goblin King 1 Anarchy 1 Pandemonium 3 Pyrokinesis ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Enrico Michelucci, 4th

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Creatures: 19

4 Jackal Pup

4 Goblin Patrol

4 Mogg Fanatic

3 Grim Lavamancer

4 Ball Lightning

Instants and Sorceries: 14

1 Earthquake

4 Lightning Bolt

4 Incinerate

1 Final Fortune

4 Fireblast

Others: 7

2 Seal of Fire

4 Cursed Scroll

1 Sulfuric Vortex

Lands: 20

2 Wooded Foothills

2 Barbarian Ring

16 Mountain

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

1 Tormod's Crypt

3 Pyroblast

1 Red Elemental Blast

2 Shattering Pulse

1 Blood Moon

1 Sulfuric Vortex

1 Boil

1 Pandemonium

2 Nevinyrral's Disk

2 Pyrokinesis

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Enrico Michelucci, 4th ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Creatures: 19 4 Jackal Pup 4 Goblin Patrol 4 Mogg Fanatic 3 Grim Lavamancer 4 Ball Lightning Instants and Sorceries: 14 1 Earthquake 4 Lightning Bolt 4 Incinerate 1 Final Fortune 4 Fireblast Others: 7 2 Seal of Fire 4 Cursed Scroll 1 Sulfuric Vortex Lands: 20 2 Wooded Foothills 2 Barbarian Ring 16 Mountain SIDEBOARD (15) 1 Tormod's Crypt 3 Pyroblast 1 Red Elemental Blast 2 Shattering Pulse 1 Blood Moon 1 Sulfuric Vortex 1 Boil 1 Pandemonium 2 Nevinyrral's Disk 2 Pyrokinesis ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Marco Mazzei, 5th–8th

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Instants and Sorceries: 15

4 Duress

2 Cabal Therapy

2 Smother

2 Diabolic Edict

3 Living Wish

1 Nostalgic Dreams

1 Haunting Echoes

Creatures: 13

4 Birds of Paradise

1 Withered Wretch

3 Terravore

3 Ravenous Baloth

1 Braids, Cabal Minion

1 Spiritmonger

Others: 4

4 Pernicious Deed

Lands: 28

3 Llanowar Wastes

4 Windswept Heath

4 Tranquil Thicket

4 Barren Moor

2 Treetop Village

2 Wasteland

5 Forest

4 Swamp

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

2 Innocent Blood

1 Cabal Therapy

1 Smother

2 Naturalize

1 Withered Wretch

3 Engineered Plague

1 Uktabi Orangutan

2 Spike Feeder

1 Genesis

1 Haunting Echoes

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Marco Mazzei, 5th–8th ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Instants and Sorceries: 15 4 Duress 2 Cabal Therapy 2 Smother 2 Diabolic Edict 3 Living Wish 1 Nostalgic Dreams 1 Haunting Echoes Creatures: 13 4 Birds of Paradise 1 Withered Wretch 3 Terravore 3 Ravenous Baloth 1 Braids, Cabal Minion 1 Spiritmonger Others: 4 4 Pernicious Deed Lands: 28 3 Llanowar Wastes 4 Windswept Heath 4 Tranquil Thicket 4 Barren Moor 2 Treetop Village 2 Wasteland 5 Forest 4 Swamp SIDEBOARD (15) 2 Innocent Blood 1 Cabal Therapy 1 Smother 2 Naturalize 1 Withered Wretch 3 Engineered Plague 1 Uktabi Orangutan 2 Spike Feeder 1 Genesis 1 Haunting Echoes ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Marco Isidori, 5th–8th

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Creatures: 12

4 Jackal Pup

4 Grim Lavamancer

4 Ball Lightning

Others: 8

4 Black Vise

4 Cursed Scroll

Instants and Sorceries: 18

4 Lightning Bolt

4 Incinerate

2 Flame Jet

4 Price of Progress

4 Fireblast

Lands: 22

2 Forgotten Cave

2 Barbarian Ring

4 Bloodstained Mire

4 Wooded Foothills

10 Mountain

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

3 Tormod's Crypt

4 Red Elemental Blast

1 Pyroclasm

2 Ankh of Mishra

2 Sulfuric Vortex

1 Slice and Dice

2 Boil

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Marco Isidori, 5th–8th ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Creatures: 12 4 Jackal Pup 4 Grim Lavamancer 4 Ball Lightning Others: 8 4 Black Vise 4 Cursed Scroll Instants and Sorceries: 18 4 Lightning Bolt 4 Incinerate 2 Flame Jet 4 Price of Progress 4 Fireblast Lands: 22 2 Forgotten Cave 2 Barbarian Ring 4 Bloodstained Mire 4 Wooded Foothills 10 Mountain SIDEBOARD (15) 3 Tormod's Crypt 4 Red Elemental Blast 1 Pyroclasm 2 Ankh of Mishra 2 Sulfuric Vortex 1 Slice and Dice 2 Boil ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Antonio Ricci, 5th–8th

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Instants and Sorceries: 29

4 Swords to Plowshares

2 Stifle

3 Impulse

3 Mana Leak

4 Counterspell

1 Disenchant

3 Absorb

3 Fact or Fiction

3 Wrath of God

3 Decree of Justice

Others: 5

4 Standstill

1 Powder Keg

Lands: 26

3 Adarkar Wastes

1 Faerie Conclave

3 Flooded Strand

2 Skycloud Expanse

4 Mishra's Factory

3 Wasteland

6 Island

4 Plains

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

1 Stifle

1 Enlightened Tutor

3 Hydroblast

3 Gainsay

2 Circle of Protection: Red

2 Seal of Cleansing

1 Powder Keg

1 Hibernation

1 Akroma's Vengeance

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Antonio Ricci, 5th–8th ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Instants and Sorceries: 29 4 Swords to Plowshares 2 Stifle 3 Impulse 3 Mana Leak 4 Counterspell 1 Disenchant 3 Absorb 3 Fact or Fiction 3 Wrath of God 3 Decree of Justice Others: 5 4 Standstill 1 Powder Keg Lands: 26 3 Adarkar Wastes 1 Faerie Conclave 3 Flooded Strand 2 Skycloud Expanse 4 Mishra's Factory 3 Wasteland 6 Island 4 Plains SIDEBOARD (15) 1 Stifle 1 Enlightened Tutor 3 Hydroblast 3 Gainsay 2 Circle of Protection: Red 2 Seal of Cleansing 1 Powder Keg 1 Hibernation 1 Akroma's Vengeance ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

Italian Nationals: Simone Lazzini, 5th–8th

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MAIN DECK | 60 cards

Creatures: 17

4 Birds of Paradise

2 Llanowar Elves

2 Wall of Blossoms

3 Spike Feeder

3 Yavimaya Elder

3 Spiritmonger

Instants and Sorceries: 16

4 Duress

4 Cabal Therapy

2 Living Wish

2 Smother

2 Diabolic Edict

1 Chainer's Edict

1 Nostalgic Dreams

Others: 4

4 Pernicious Deed

Lands: 23

4 Treetop Village

4 Llanowar Wastes

8 Forest

7 Swamp

SIDEBOARD | 15 cards

2 Naturalize

2 Engineered Plague

1 Masticore

2 Ravenous Baloth

1 Phantom Centaur

1 Faceless Butcher

1 Genesis

1 Spiritmonger

1 Living Death

2 Haunting Echoes

1 Visara the Dreadful

Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com ------------------------------------------------ Italian Nationals: Simone Lazzini, 5th–8th ------------------------------------------------ MAIN DECK (60) Creatures: 17 4 Birds of Paradise 2 Llanowar Elves 2 Wall of Blossoms 3 Spike Feeder 3 Yavimaya Elder 3 Spiritmonger Instants and Sorceries: 16 4 Duress 4 Cabal Therapy 2 Living Wish 2 Smother 2 Diabolic Edict 1 Chainer's Edict 1 Nostalgic Dreams Others: 4 4 Pernicious Deed Lands: 23 4 Treetop Village 4 Llanowar Wastes 8 Forest 7 Swamp SIDEBOARD (15) 2 Naturalize 2 Engineered Plague 1 Masticore 2 Ravenous Baloth 1 Phantom Centaur 1 Faceless Butcher 1 Genesis 1 Spiritmonger 1 Living Death 2 Haunting Echoes 1 Visara the Dreadful ------------------------------------------------ Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com

SIDEBOARD

http://premodernmagic.com

All in all, a fairly well-rounded top 8, with two classic control decks, three aggressive red decks and two midrange decks. Lorenzo Novaro’s Stasis deck, which he piloted all the way to the finals, stands out as more rogue. If you want more inspiration for that archetype, make sure to check out Andy’s latest column.

Cheers! / Martin