Silver medallists are mentally tired but ambitious

The silver medallists of the second day of the European Games in Baku surprised. In the men’s category Nugzar Tatalashvili was able to reach the final but not expected. Ivan Nifontov defeated Tchrikishvili in Rabat but is not at his best yet, but comes close with his tactical insight and physical abilities. Tina Trstenjak was perhaps even expected to take the title as she hadn’t lost for 9 months. Vargas Koch is clearly the best of the rest behind Kim Polling.

We spoke most silver medallists and asked for their opinion on the day and started with Tina Trstenjak of Slovenia.

"I am happy enough with silver. She (TRAJDOS) was better than me. In two days we will compete in the team competition and who knows, maybe we will meet again and I can get revenge."

Laura VARGAS KOCH (GER) - won silver

"In the first moment I am a bit disappointed but I am sure by tonight I will be happy about the silver medal. The problem is that against Polling, I cannot use my favourite techniques, O uchi gari and Uchi mata (throwing techniques), because she has the perfect counter-technique against it. Together with my coaches I am working on a strategy now to beat her with other techniques."

Ivan NIFONTOV (RUS) - won silver

"I am tired, and sad that I lost. I feel empty. There is no glory in silver medals. A lot of people congratulated me but I know I can achieve more. I can be on top of the podium."

On the decision to move the European championship from Glasgow to Baku (the European Games also counted as the European championships), meaning a short time between two Olympic qualifying events:

"Two consecutive competitions was too much, it was difficult to prepare for it. The European championships should have been in April but it was moved to now, and we had two important Olympic qualification events close together. We competed in Rabat at the end of May, at the IJF (International Judo Federation) Masters, then here. If the dates had stayed the same, we would have sent a different team here. I was too tired."