Host nation Bulgaria wasn’t spoiled over the last decade with stunning results during the preliminaries of the first day of the European Championships in Sofia the home crowd was served with lots of sensations of the Bulgarian athletes.
Yanislav Gerchev again succeeded to reach the final for the men U60kg. Gerchev lost the European final twice in 2017 and 2018 and again struck with refreshing and breathtaking energy. The number eight seed of the tournament U60kg was able to overcame Artem Lesiuk of the Ukraine in the quarter final and in an amazing fight he bested Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) in an intense battle in the semi final. Verstraeten received his third penalty after more than twelve minutes in the fight, supported by the Bulgarian home crowd. What an opportunity to possibly celebrate the first European Champion since 1981, by Georghi Petrov. Nine out of ten European finals were lost by the Bulgarian athletes, but this is the first time that a European Championships are organized at home.
Gerchev will be fighting Francisco Garrigos from Spain, on paper more experienced, but Gerchev defeated him twice in 2017 and 2018. He lost to Garrigos in 2021 at the World Championships and is the reigning European Champion and for the fourth consecution time in the European final since 2019. The only time in 2018 when he didn’t make it to the podium, it was Gerchev blocking him in the quarter final. Garrigos won against former world champion Lukhumi Chkhviamiani of Georgia in the semi final.
Ukraine in the men’s final
Ukraine does have a finalist in Sofia as Bogdan Iadov qualified after his victory in the semi final against Yashar Najafov (AZE). In the category U66kg Iadov is the successor of judo magician and legend Georgii Zantaraia. Both were defending their country in the war in the last couple of weeks, still this performance of Iadov who comes out of the shadow since a few years and may step into the footlight of Zantaraia who won the European title in 2019. Iadov also overcame Israelian favourite Baruch Shmailov but will go for bronze against Denis Vieru, the man with the best odds in advance.
Two spanish men in the final since 20 years
Another Spaniard is in the final, Alberto Gaitero, finally a good success for the Spanish men on that first day. The last time that there were two Spanish men in the final was in 2003, both contests were lost. The last Spanish European Champion was Sugoi Uriarte in 2010, the man who gave a place to Daria Bilodid at his club in Spain. Mixed feelings on the tribune there, but everyone will for sure follow his heart supporting their own teammates. Iadov may be the favourite as he defeated Gaitero five times out of seven contests as they know each-other since they were cadets. The last two encouters as a senior were won by Iadov, even this year in Tel Aviv where Iadov took bronze.
Read more on Bogdan Iadov’s last months.