European Games team event is spectacular

The men's teams of Georgia and Russia and the women's teams of France and Germany have the favourite position for the team event on Sunday at the European Games. After three days of head-to-head contests culminating in personal glory or disappointment, the judoka will be fighting for their teams at the Heydar Aliyev Arena.

"Who knows, maybe we will meet again and I can get revenge," said the favourite, Tina Trstenjak (SLO), after her surprise defeat by Martyna Trajdos (GER) in the -63kg gold medal match.

If that is to happen, Slovenia and Germany will have to reach the final, as they are in opposite halves of the draw.

France, whose women have had a dismal time in medal matches, are top seeds and in the field of seven they have a bye to the semifinals. Germany and Slovenia are seeded two and three and, on their form in Baku, the Germans look the stronger.

The seven German women who are entered in the team event have won eight medals between them in the individual events in Baku - one gold, three silver and four bronze - but only five judoka will make up each team.

Ten men’s teams will compete. Russia, who, like France, have failed to live up to expectations in the individual contests, are the top seeds, but the second-seeded Georgians look the more likely winners. Germany are seeded three.

After beating Ivan Ninfontov (RUS) in Friday’s -81kg final, Avtandili Tchrikishvili (GEO) said, "This is the first gold medal for my country but not the last. I hope and believe we can win the team competition."

Ominously, his team-mate Adam Okruashvili (GEO) said after winning gold in the +100kg category on Saturday night: "I intend to celebrate this by winning the team event tomorrow, too."

Georgia's men collected a total of 5 medals in the three days of individual events and rank second behind Russia, who won seven individual medals.

Both teams will start the day with a bye and will have to overcome two teams to eventually face each other in the gold medal match.