All eyes have been on Crew France forward of the blended group occasion on the European Judo Championships Juniors Tallinn 2024. Having missed out on the title final yr regardless of consecutive victories and a repute for successful blended group occasions, the query was whether or not they would be capable of regain recognition among the many juniors.
What was anticipated to be a quiet begin to the day rapidly changed into a thriller when the GBR vs SRB first-round bout ended 3-3, offering the primary golden rating of the day. The cube rolled for a rematch within the -57kg class between Chloe Hyperlink (GBR) and Nikolina Nisavic (SRB). The latter had received gold within the particular person competitors however Hyperlink had overwhelmed the Serbian of their first assembly. But, Nisavic rose to the event and carried out properly underneath strain to e-book her group’s place within the quarter-finals.
The leisure continued when Serbia confronted reigning junior blended group champions Georgia within the quarter-finals. Serbia took a 2-0 lead. Tamaz Biganishvili (GEO) then scored a degree for his group within the +90kg class. Nina Loladze (GEO) was subsequent up towards Kristina Nisavic (SRB) and so they had a moderately jagged combat with each scoring for waza-ari. With simply over 30 seconds remaining, the Serbian judoka shocked Loladze with a ko-soto-gake motion. The strain was now on Georgia, with a must-win contest within the arms of Mate Beruashvili. The 19-year-old judoka dealt with the burden on his shoulders with ease and handed the baton to Nino Gulbani (GEO). Regardless of her finest efforts, Aleksandra Andric (SRB) got here out on high. It was then confirmed that Georgia wouldn’t be defending their title.
France have been prepared for the Serbians, who had been the celebrities of the day. Regardless of the excessive hopes, France ran out 4-1 winners, confirming that they’re right here for gold and nothing much less. Within the backside half of the draw, each Crew Azerbaijan and Crew Netherlands put in a gentle efficiency. Of their semi-final assembly, -78kg judoka Irene Hesling was moved up a weight class for the day to face heavyweight Nigar Suleymanova (AZE). As a result of weight distinction, accuracy and timing turned the important thing components for Hesling to face an opportunity of securing the primary level for the Dutch group. She did simply that and after repeating correct tai-sabaki and reducing herself on the proper second, she rolled Suleymanova in for ippon by a seoi-nage. Kanan Nasibov (AZE) responded rapidly with a win within the +90kg contest. Each Fidan Alizada (AZE) and Vusal Galandarzade (AZE) added two extra wins for his or her group. Nadia Swinkels (NED) then confronted a must-win state of affairs and did properly to counter her opponent, touchdown straight into osea-komi-waza. This left Giel Dol (NED) to face Aslan Kotsoev (AZE), who not solely scored a waza-ari but in addition compelled Dol into three penalties. At this level the ultimate line-up was set: France vs Azerbaijan.
The ultimate block started with the 2 bronze medal matches going down concurrently. Each delivered a moderately ecstatic ending. With Georgia main 3-2 on mat two, the ultimate class, +70kg, was known as and it was time for Lizi Kvartskhava (GEO) to fulfill Irene Hesling (NED). The Dutch judoka wasted no time and shocked her opponent for waza-ari earlier than ending the competition in ne-waza. It was time to roll the cube and the +70kg class was drawn. Very quickly Kvartskhava and Hesling have been again in motion. Though it took a bit of longer, the Dutch judoka secured one other win over Kvartskhava and the primary bronze medal for the Netherlands, right here in Tallinn. A couple of minutes later the scoreboard confirmed a 3:3 draw on the becoming a member of mat the place the -90kg class was recalled for motion. Mihajlo Simin (SRB) rapidly took management and secured the second bronze medal for Crew Serbia.
The ultimate started with a slight mismatch as Fares Mekhoukh (FRA) was pitted towards heavyweight Kanan Nasibov (AZE) in an unfamiliar division. Nasibov dominated and doubled up on waza-ari scores, first with an uchi-mata after which a soto-makikomi motion. Alya De Carvalho (FRA) had the higher hand towards Fidan Alizada (AZE) within the -57kg bout. A rating for France. Every group stole a degree within the subsequent two contests, leaving the rating tied at 2-2 when Ivan Chernyshenko (FRA) and Aslan Kotsoev (AZE) took centre stage. It wanted solely 42 seconds for Kotsoev and his group to take the lead. Celia Cancan (FRA) responded with a 12 second win over Nigar Suleymanova (AZE). With the rating now 3-3, all eyes turned to the massive display screen to see which class can be known as to the mat to combat once more. It was the -57kg class. France ought to have received. Not so quick… The deciding bout lasted over 8 minutes and by then the rating was 2-2 in penalties. At 8:19 a soto-makikomi from Alizada gave Crew Azerbaijan a standing ovation as they celebrated their junior European blended group title. France nearly pulled it off, however not fairly. The celebrations ended with the singing of the Azerbaijani nationwide anthem.
Writer: Szandra Szogedi
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