France captures four gold medals at European Cup Belgrade

The French athletes have taken home four gold medals at the European Cup in Belgrade. The fifth edition was the eighth European Cup this season. Four more events will follow in the next few weeks. Many athletes used this event as preparation for the European U23 Championships and the youngsters for the World Junior Championships. For the more experienced judoka the forthcoming Grand Slams of Paris and Abu Dhabi need some match preparation in Belgrade.

U81kg

In the men’s category U81kg Bulgarian Ivaylo Ivanov made a strong impression the whole day. He reached the final with four victories against Mark Stoica (ROU), Yoann Benjamin (FRA), Peter Zilka (SLV) and Bojan Dosen. In the final his opponent was Italian Gesualdo Scollo. The Italian hadn’t medalled so far this year at European Cup level but takes a medal each year. The final was static but full of tension. Two penalties for Scollo and a long injury break gave Ivanov the chance to overthink his tactics. Ivanov won the European Cup in Sindelfingen this year and took bronze at the European Cup in Sofia. Just after the break Ivanov scored yuko and could counter towards the end. The 21-year Bulgarian collected the first gold medal for Bulgaria. Yesterday Gerchev and Yanakov won silver and bronze U60kg. 33 Participants in this tough category with some spectacular ippons today.

Belgian Jeremie Bottieau won bronze after Dosen Bojan lost by hansoku-make, last year he won the bronze. Yoann Benjamin won bronze for france in a tough match against Gasper Jerman.

U90kg

The final U90kg was a task for Rico Harder to win for his friend Yvonne Odink who got injured. He did well and opened the match with waza-ari against Dario Kurbjeweit Garcia from Germany. They knew eachother from the training camp in Sindelfingen. After three minutes he added a yuko, close to waza-ari and was in control. Both finalist are 21 but in the match Harder was dominant and finished the match with an armlock. Harder added his second European Cup medal this year, he won bronze at the British Open in London, the number five of the 2014 World Junior Championships now seems to found his way in the senior division. Kurbjeweit added a second silver after his lost final in Uster in March. Harder defeated four opponents today. Via Predrag Stanjevic (MNE), Bosko Borenovic (SRB) and David Kukavica (SLO) he reached the final. He captured the second gold medal for the Dutch men’s team this weekend.

Last year’s winner Dmitry Zuev (RUS) lost in his first round and was coach yesterday. He was in a pool with David Kukavica (SLO) who lost his bronze bout against Italian Giovanni Carollo. The second bronze was for Gabor Ver (HUN) who overcame Rijad Dedeic (BIH).

U100kg

The final for men U100 showed great judo. Italian Domenico di Guida needed all day to get to the final form, like a diesel he defeated three tough opponents in Ariano Rebouka Nell Honore (FRA), Max Hageneder (AUT) and Walter Facente (ITA). The names say enough about the strength in this class. Di Guida’s opponent Vincent Massimino is 29 and already 15 years in international judo. He started well, but Di Guida was finally in shape. The men with the talent reputation showed his skills and took the lead by yuko. Di Guida won the European Cadet title in 2008 and European Junior title in 2011. In 2014 he added the European title U23. He used this event in Belgrade as preparation for the Grand Slam in Paris. for this he needs these kind of matches. Massimino won the title last year U90kg and with his weight he can be fast and explosive, but Di Guida simply didn’t give him a chance after he scored yuko and the Italian took the first title for his country.

The bronze U100kg was for his team-mate Walter Facente of Italy, normally fighting U90kg at world level, but for this occasion one step higher. He was able to defeat Sjoerd Riddersma (NED) in his last match. Hungarian Gergo Fogasy defeated Swiss Patrik Moser for bronze.

O100kg

The men’s heavyweight title was for Daniel Natea, he didn’t have to fight the final against Alessio Mascetti of Italy. Although Natea didn’t get the medal for free. He defeated Serbian Nikola Jeremic in his first round and via Ivan Covic (CRO) and Vito Dragic (SLO) in the semi final he reached the final. The double European champion U23 of 2013 and 2014 is now 23 years and ready to defend his Grand Slam title in Abu Dhabi and make a good result first at the Grand Slam of Paris.

Two Serbian athletes in the two bronze finals. Vito Dragic (SLO) won the match against Vladimir Gajic of Serbia due to a disqualification. Bendeguz Demeter (HUN) scored a yuko but was under pressure with three penalties against Serbian Nikola Jeremic. The home crowd supported got what they wanted, bread, games and  a bronze medal after the fourth penalty 23 seconds for the end.

U70kg

German talent Lisa Dollinger needed just a minute and twenty seconds oseikomi to defeat her French opponent Lucie Perrot. The German number three of the national senior championships, took her first senior victory. The 19-year old was in Belgrade as preparation for the World Junior Championships in Abu Dhabi in October, a successful warmup.

Valeriane Fichot won three silver medals at European Cups and added bronze this time against Yvonne Odink of the Netherlands. The Dutch couldn’t finish the match with a nasty knee injury and was taken to hospital to get the knee back in position. Giovanna Scoccimaro surprised Andjela Dzakovic hallway the match by ippon and took bronze.

U78kg

The final U78kg opposed today’s most impressive judoka, the experienced 28-year old Geraldine Mentouopou from France and 17-year young Julie Hoelterhoff. It was the experience that won today. After 49 seconds Mentoupou launched a successful ippon and took the gold, nonetheless a great silver medal for Hoelterhoff. Mentoupou won her fifth European Cup, but in fact she is of another level. She also won 15 World cup level medals, all U78kg and started her international career in 2006 with bronze at the Tournoi de Paris. In 2008 she was European U23 Champion. Not just for the fun she continues with her performances but also to be prepared well for the French Championships in November this year. Hoelterhoff was impressed by the power of the French in the beginning and couldn’t get into the match, but was still satisfied.

The bronze medal was captured by French Marie Del Puppo who had one penalty less than Anna-Maria Wagner (GER). The second bronze bout was decided in golden score by Katrien Johnson of Belgium who defeated Tamara Kraljic (SLO).

O78kg

In the women’s heavyweight class Ivana Sutalo won her three pool matches and took the gold. Silver was for Milica Zabic of Serbia and bronze for Mercedesz Szigetvari.