There's a moment when luck stops being a game and becomes a hug. It happened Thursday evening in the studios of La Ruota della Fortuna, when Gabriele Casti, a teacher at Selegas and a contestant with a shy smile but a lightning-fast mind, saw the word that would change his life appear on the scoreboard. One hundred thousand euros, a Fiat Panda, and a lifelong embrace with his father, there beside him, holding him through tears.
For a few days now, Gabriele Casti's name has been synonymous with tenacity , intelligence, and a love of the Italian language. Champion since the November 5th episode, he has won over the audience and the trust of Gerry Scotti, who already sensed in the first round that he was dealing with a "special" contestant.
And the facts proved him right. In three evenings, Gabriele amassed a record-breaking total prize pool—€187,000 and a Fiat Panda—and gradually won over the Wheel and the hearts of spectators.
The first big win came on Wednesday: €37,500. Then came Thursday's triumph, with a €124,500 haul, and finally, on Friday's episode, another €25,000. But more than the money, what moved the audience was the final scene: Gabriele, upon discovering he had won €100,000 and the coveted car, burst into tears, taking refuge in the arms of his father, who was present in the studio for every episode.
A gesture that also moved Gerry Scotti and Samira Lui , both visibly touched by the moment. "We changed his life," said Gerry. "A teacher who is committed, studies, and plays with passion and respect: it's the victory of those who still believe in knowledge," added Samira.
Behind Gabriele's calm and determination lies a love for the Italian language, the expertise of someone who teaches it every day, and the clarity of mind that comes from someone who never forgets where he comes from.
And while the Wheel continues to turn, the professor who dreamed of a chance at redemption has already entered the history of one of the most beloved quizzes on television .
