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Belouizdad braces for acid test against Ahly

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Belouizdad braces for acid test against Ahly

 As TotalEnergies CAF Champions League returns

 

 

Algerian club Belouizdad faces a mammoth challenge when they host African heavyweights Al Ahly in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday.

 

The postponed Group D clash sees Belouizdad take on the Egyptian giants at the 5 July 1962 Olympic Stadium in Algiers.

 

With qualification still up for grabs, Belouizdad manager Marcus Paqueta knows his side faces a massive test against the continental titans.

 

“The match between Al Ahly and Belouizdad is a derby between two prestigious teams,” Paqueta stated at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

 

“We will approach this confrontation with great concentration to secure points, especially since our team is the host,”

 

Paqueta stressed the game’s magnitude for both clubs vying for quarter-final berths. But he insisted the result alone would not determine who progresses.

 

“The game will be tough for both teams, not just for Belouizdad,” outlined the Brazilian coach.

 

“Both teams will play their last group stage match at home, so the result of this match will not be decisive.”

 

The Belouizdad boss explained his work to fully prepare the Algerians mentally and tactically for the looming showdown.

 

“We have a strategy for playing matches, and we aim to win both at home and away, instilling this mindset in the players,” Paqueta remarked.

 

He also sent an impassioned plea to Belouizdad ‘s vociferous fans to rally behind the team against esteemed opponents.

 

“The fans must support us to encourage and motivate the players on the field,” urged Paqueta.

 

Belouizdad goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz acknowledged they face a Herculean task against the Egyptian club.

 

“Victory against Al Ahly will make our mission easier. Our goal is qualification, and we will enter the match with full determination to win,” insisted Guendouz.

 

Al Ahly will also be without crucial man Aliou Dieng due to injury, a further blow for the Cairo outfit.

 

But make no mistake, conquering African heavyweights Al Ahly represents a monumental challenge for Belouizdad.

 

Paqueta and Guendouz know flawless focus gives their side the best chance to overcome domestic rivals and reach the Champions League last eight.

 

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

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Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

Preview & Prediction Video

 

By Geoffrey Ciani (Boxing News)

Starting March 8, from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is scheduled to square off against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou had his professional boxing debut last October when he faced WBC and lineal world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round non-title. To the surprise of many, Ngannout put forth a terrific performance against Fury, where he even managed to drop him with a beautifully timed counter in round 3. At the end of 10 rounds, Fury escaped with a razor-thin split decision victory. Many observers, however, believed that Ngannou had done enough to deserve the victory.

On the other side, Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion. Since losing his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk back in 2022, AJ has been on the comeback trail. He has been especially active in a day and age where top heavyweights typically only fight once or twice a year. Joshua fought three times last year, and suddenly, he is on a three-fight-winning streak. It started last April when AJ was awarded a 12-round unanimous decision against Jermaine Franklin. Then, in August, Joshua stopped Robert Helenius in round 7. And then, of course, in the primary event fight on the Boxing Day of Reckoning back in December, Joshua outclassed Otto Wallin, and Otto’s corner stopped the fight after round 5 concluded.

So, who will win the upcoming heavyweight boxing event between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou? This edition of Rummy’s Corner will attempt to answer that question and provide a quick preview of the upcoming heavyweight contest on March 8 between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. Please watch and enjoy the video for one man’s opinion. This is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).

Stadnik wins tenth European title

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Stadnik wins tenth European title

As Adar makes a golden return

 

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) pins Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) in the 50kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

 

Before the European Championships this year, much focus was on Riza KAYAALP (TUR) going past Aleksandar KARELIN’s record of 12 European gold medals. That is understandable, as those are the only two wrestlers with double-digit European titles, Vinay Siwach reports for UWW.

 

But on Thursday, a woman joined the two legends with her 10th European gold medal — Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

 

At 35, Stadnik remains unbeaten in Europe, winning the gold medal at 50kg at the European Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

 

That she did that without conceding a point in three matches speaks volumes about her level, even later in her career, which has spanned over 15 years.

 

Stadnik wrestled former European champion Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) in the final and never faced a real threat. Demirhan tried to hit a Whizzer, but Stadnik stopped her and scored two points. That made Demirhan cautious of attacking Stadnik and kept her distance. Stadnik led 3-0 at the break for a passivity point.

 

Demirhan tried pushing Stadnik out in the second period, but the latter blocked her again and tripped her for a four-pointer. Turkiye challenged the call and won as the jury ruled it was only a step out, making the score 4-0 in Stadnik’s favor. But Stadnik did not take long to hit a four-pointer and secure the fall in four minutes and two seconds.

 

In her earlier bouts, Stadnik defeated Milana DADASHEVA (AIN) in two minutes and 12 seconds, while Oksana LIVACH (UKR), the finalist last year, managed to hold Stadnik for six minutes but dropped her semifinal about 6-0.

 

Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) celebrates after winning the 59kg gold medal in Bucharest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

Azerbaijan won a second gold medal at 59kg as Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) defeated Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) 3-3 in the final. With that, Kolesnik won her first career championship title ever.

 

Kolesnik led Filipovych 1-1 on criteria as both wrestlers were given activity time and failed to score. As soon as her activity time ended, Filipovych hit a single-leg attack and scored a takedown with a minute and 26 seconds remaining in the match.

 

But still, with time left, Kolesnik hooked Filipovych’s leg using her own and tried coming on top. The referee did not confirm any control but did caution the Ukrainian athlete for blocking. Azerbaijan challenged, asking for a takedown, demonstrated by the jury, giving Kolesnik a 3-3 criteria lead and 24 seconds to defend.

 

She would defend her lead and win the gold medal, becoming the second woman wrestler from Azerbaijan to win the senior European title.

 

The defending champion at 59kg and the favorite to repeat, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), pulled out of the competition after suffering an injury in her quarterfinal against Tamara DOLLAK (HUN). Nichita was reported to have broken ribs.

 

Yasemin ADAR (TUR)Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won her seventh European title on Thursday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

Yasemin ADAR (TUR) became Europe’s second most successful female wrestler after winning her seventh gold medal, only behind Stadnik’s 10. She won her first title in 2016 and has since won in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. She also has a silver medal from 2020.

 

Wrestling in the final against Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR), Adar did not contact much in the first period, giving Shustova a passivity point and a 1-0 lead at the break. But she shifted gears in the second period, hitting a double-leg for a takedown and a turn to lead 4-1 while Shustova was on the activity clock. As the clock expired, Adar led 5-1.

 

As Shustova attempted a desperate low single, Adar got around and threw her for a four, which Ukraine challenged. Shustova seemed to have control of Adar, and Ukraine asked that its wrestler get the four. It lost the challenge, and Adar led 10-1. Adar would finish the final with a takedown and a 12-1 score with a minute remaining.

 

Buse TOSUN (TUR)World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) won her first European title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) gave Turkiye a second gold medal, winning her first European title after she won the 68kg gold medal against Tetiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR).

 

Tosun won silver medals in the last two editions of the European Championships but managed to cross the final hurdle five months after becoming a world champion at 68kg.

 

After a minute of little action, Tosun hit trip on Sova and got while Sova rolled over Tosun to get two points for herself, making the score 4-2 in Tosun’s favor. Sova was called passive in the second period, which awarded Tosun another point to make it 5-2.

 

Andreea ANA (ROU)Andreea ANA (ROU) won her third straight European title and first at home. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

Andreea ANA (ROU) defended her 55kg gold medal dominantly in front of her home crowd to give Romania a gold medal at this European Championships. This was Ana’s third consecutive European gold medal.

 

Wrestling Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) in the final, Ana built a 4-0 lead. She hit a counter in the second period and got a takedown, which Moldova challenged but lost, making it 7-0 for Ana. She would hit a snap takedown and a counter to finish the about 11-0 with 22 seconds remaining on the clock.

 

RESULTS

 

50kg
GOLD: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), via fall (10-0)

BRONZE: Milana DADASHEVA (AIN) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 17-15
BRONZE: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df. Ana PIRVU (ROU), 10-0

 

55kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 11-0

BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), via fall (8-11)
BRONZE: Roksana ZASINA (POL) df. Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN), 7-3

 

59kg
GOLD: Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) vs. Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), 3-3

BRONZE: Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Patrycja GIL (POL) df. Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), via fall (7-2)

 

68kg
GOLD: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Tetiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR), 5-2

BRONZE: Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU), via fall
BRONZE: Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Khanum VELIEVA (AIN), via fall (8-8)

 

76kg
GOLD: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR), 12-1

BRONZE: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-3
BRONZE: Enrica RINALDI (ITA) df. Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU), 5-2

 

Distance running great Henry Rono dies

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Distance running great Henry Rono dies

Multiple world record-breaker passes on

 

Henry Rono competes in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton (© Getty Images)

 

World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that Kenyan distance running great Henry Rono, who set four world records in 81 days in 1978, died on Thursday (15) at 72.

 

As part of his world record spree, Rono made history in the 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m. His records in the 3000m and 3000m steeplechase stood for over a decade.

 

Born on February 12, 1952, Rono hails from Kiptaragon in Kenya’s Rift Valley. A bicycle accident left him unable to walk until he was six, and two-time Olympic champion Kip Keino inspired Rono to run.

 

Rono joined the Kenyan Army in 1973 and continued to progress in athletics. He was selected for the 1976 Olympic Games in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m but did not make it to Montreal because of the Kenyan boycott.

 

Based in the USA and studying at Washington State University, Rono won the first of three NCAA cross-country titles that year – retaining the crown in 1977 and completing his hat-trick in 1979. He also became the NCAA indoor 3000m champion in 1977, winning NCAA 3000m steeplechase titles in 1978 and 1979.

 

Rono achieved the first of his world records in Berkeley, California, on April 8, 1978. Racing on the Edwards Field track at the University of California, the 26-year-old physical education and psychology sophomore clocked 13:08.4 for 5000m, improving the record that had been set by Dick Quax the previous year by four-and-a-half seconds.

 

Henry Rono celebrates at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton (© Getty Images)

 

The 3000m steeplechase record was next. Racing in windy conditions in Seattle on May 13, he crossed the finish line in 8:05.4 to take 2.6 seconds off the almost two-year-old record that Anders Garderud had set.

 

On June 11, Rono improved the world’s 10,000m record by a remarkable eight seconds, running 27:22.47 at Cricketer Place in Vienna to smash the previous 27:30.47 set by Samson Kimobwa a year earlier.

 

Then, at the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 27, he ran 7:32.1 to shave more than three seconds from Brendan Foster’s almost four-year-old record.

 

Rono racked up a winning streak of 31 outdoor races in 1978, including at the All-Africa Games in Algiers, where he claimed a 3000m steeplechase and 10,000m double, and at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, where he won the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m.

 

Rono graduated from Washington State University with a degree in general studies in 1981 – the year he set the fifth world record of his career, improving his 5000m mark to 13:06.20 in Knarvik in Norway.

 

After retiring from competitive athletics, Rono qualified as a teacher and became a coach.

 

“My two dreams were created in the 1960s. I became a professional teacher and a track champion,” Rono said in a 2003 interview with World Athletics. “The running profession came first in the early 1970s and ended 25 years later. The teaching profession began in the 1990s, and today, I enjoy it much better than the achievement of an athletic celebrity.”

 

Sparring partner busts open Fury’s eye

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Sparring partner busts open Fury’s eye

‘I postponed Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk after splitting Gypsy King’s eye open after he fired me up with a crude act.’

 

Tyson Fury had his eye split open by his sparring partner shortly after making a crude joke that went wrong, Callum Vurley reports for Talk Sport.

 

Fury’s epic heavyweight clash against Oleksandr Usyk was postponed earlier this month after suffering a sickening cut to his right eye.

 

Smakici is the one who injured Fury in sparring.

 

The Gypsy King was set to meet Usyk in a fight that would have unified the heavyweight division, but the February 17 showdown was scrapped with another date decided.

 

The incident came in the final two weeks of Fury’s training after Agron Smakici battered him after the 35-year-old for making a crude joke.

 

The Croatian alleged that Fury had thrust his crotch into his backside jokingly, but he did not see the funny side, leading to a fiery exchange before a flailing elbow connected with the WBC champion.

It led to Fury needing stitches in his eye and the fight against Usyk being postponed, much to fans’ disappointment worldwide.

 

There is no bad blood between the two fighters, though, with Smakici telling SunSport: “He did it, but it was a joke, and I didn’t take it seriously.

 

“I was not angry because he was laughing; he is funny. He is a comedian. Yes, it made me a little more severe; it made me want to show him what I had.

 

“But it was a clean punch, and the elbow was not on purpose; I was just trying to give him better rounds and show him I deserved respect.

 

“I got that respect in the sparring, and afterward, he said, ‘Great sparring, accidents happening, everything before was great.’ Crazy things like this happen in boxing.”

Smakici is a respected boxer in his own right and has sparred with Anthony Joshua, boasting a record of 20-2-0.

 

Fury will now face Usyk on May 18 instead, while Smakici also insisted that the sparring session came too early in the day.

 

“I felt the spar was too early,” he said. “That’s just my opinion. We had been sparring around 8-9 pm in the evenings to prepare for the fight.

 

“But suddenly, we were sparring at midday and still having breakfast at 11 am. The day before, we had done hard sparring, and the day before that, Wednesday, we had done strength training, conditioning, and circuits.

 

“So a lot was happening with our body and minds. It was early sparring, at late notice, we were in the middle of breakfast when we had to get ready. But Fury was motivated; he said he wanted 12 rounds, did three with Thomas Carty, and then I came in.

 

“He made jokes like ‘let’s go, little sausage,’ but he was very motivated, dancing in the ring and using his reach a lot. I got in and used my style; it was physical, and we did some wrestling and sound combinations.

 

“Then the cut happened because we were tired. I threw the left hook, but my head was also going forward because he was pulling it; it was a bit like dirty boxing.”

 

Super Eagles, Elephants soar in FIFA ranking

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Super Eagles, Elephants soar in FIFA ranking

Cote d’Ivoire AFCON triumph propels them in latest FIFA Rankings

 

 

The Ivorian team’s stellar performance on home soil saw them climb ten places to 39th in the world rankings, reflecting their impressive showing in the tournament.

 

The FIFA Men’s World Ranking, released just four days after the conclusion of the AFCON, highlights significant movements among African sides that participated in the tournament.

 

The latest rankings underscore the impact of recent continental tournaments on the global football landscape, with African teams making significant strides.

 

While there were no changes in the top ten, several nations from the CAF (Confederation of African Football) regions made notable strides.

 

Nigeria, the beaten finalists in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, surged up 14 places to 28th, demonstrating their strong performance in the tournament.

 

However, it was Angola who made the most significant leap, climbing 24 spots to 93rd after their impressive run in the competition.

 

The rise to uncharted territory in the rankings by some of the African sides coincided with Senegal’s breakthrough, with the Teranga Lions reaching their highest-ever position at 17th.

 

Despite their exit in the round of 16 against Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal’s strong performance in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON propelled them to new heights.

 

Other African teams that saw notable improvements include Equatorial Guinea (79th, up 9), South Africa (58th, up 8), Cabo Verde (65th, up 8), Namibia (107th, up 8), and Mali (47th, up 4).

 

The latest FIFA rankings underscore the impact of recent continental tournaments on the global football landscape, with African and Asian teams making significant strides.

 

As teams prepare for future competitions, including the TotlaEnergies CAF AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, these rankings provide valuable insights into their current standing on the international stage.

 

The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking is scheduled to be published on 4 April, offering further updates on the evolving football landscape.

 

The African Top 20 in the FIFA rankings

 

1-Morocco (12th)

2-Senegal (17th)

3-Nigeria (28th)

4-Egypt (36th)

5-Cote d’Ivoire (39th)

6-Tunisia (41st)

7-Algeria (43rd)

8-Mali (47th)

9-Cameroon (51st)

10-South Africa (58th)

11-Burkina Faso (61st)

12-DR Congo (63rd)

13-Cape Verde (65th)

14-Ghana (67th)

15-Guinea (76th)

16-Equatorial Guinea (79th)

17-Gabon (84th)

18-Zambia (87th)

19-Uganda (92nd)

20-Angola (93rd)

 

Napoli sweats over Victor Osimhen

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Napoli sweats over Victor Osimhen

 Ahead of UEFA Champions League showdown with Barcelona

 

Photo credit: CAFonline

 

The powers at Serie A giants Napoli are increasingly concerned by the well-being of star striker Victor Osimhen with a view to their impending showdown with Barcelona, Get Football News Spain reports.

 

That’s according to Diario Sport, who have provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

 

Osimhen, for his part, is fresh off a grueling couple of months on the international stage with Nigeria.

 

After playing a central role in his nation’s journey to the finale of the Africa Cup of Nations, the hitman, no doubt still heartbroken by a showpiece defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast, is also struggling badly physically.

 

As per Sport, Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri ‘does not know in what condition he will have his biggest star’ when they play host to Barcelona above in the first leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie next week.

 

Osimhen, it is claimed, lost somewhere between three and four kilos in weight while at the AFCON.

 

In turn, despite having returned to Naples earlier this week, he has already been all but ruled out of the Partenopei’s upcoming Serie A meeting with Genoa.

 

The 25-year-old will undoubtedly take his place in Napoli’s matchday squad to face Barcelona on Wednesday, February 21st.

 

His readiness to contribute in a meaningful way, however, remains to be seen.

 

Old Trafford shatters another spending record

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Old Trafford shatters another spending record

Manchester United’s billion-pound squad breaks UEFA record

 

General view inside the stadium ahead of a Premier League match at Old Trafford
According to a UEFA report, Manchester United’s squad at the end of last season was the most expensively assembled on record. Credit: PA Images

According to a UEFA report, Manchester United’s squad at the end of last season was the most expensively assembled on record, ITVX reports.

 

The Red Devils’ squad at 2023’s financial year-end cost a collective 1.42 billion euros (£1.21bn) in transfer fees, eclipsing the figure of 1.33 billion euros recorded by Real Madrid in 2020.

 

The United squad at the end of 2022-23 included £82million Brazilian winger Antony, £80m England defender Harry Maguire, £73m signing Jadon Sancho and the £60m Brazil midfielder Casemiro.

 

Further recruits last summer, such as Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund, are not counted within the figures.

 

Antony cost United £82 million. Credit: PA Images

UEFA’s European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report found three other clubs’ squads – Manchester City, Chelsea, and Real Madrid – cost more than one billion euros in transfer fees in their most recently disclosed financial year-end figures.

 

Chelsea’s most recent figures go up to the year-end June 30, 2022, and therefore do not include their heavy spending in the summer of that year or the January 2023 window.

 

United has become one of 15 English top-flight clubs recognized within the report as part of a multi-club investment group, with the purchase of a 25% stake by Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe almost complete.

 

Ineos also holds majority stakes in French side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne.

In all, the report found that 105 top-division European clubs (13% of the total number) have a cross-investment relationship with one or more other clubs.

 

There were 31 purchases of majority stakes and seven purchases of minority stakes in 2023 by groups holding a stake in at least one other European club, according to the report.

 

However, the report found that, on average, less than one transfer per club is executed within the same multi-club structure.

 

Andrea Traverso, UEFA’s director of financial sustainability and research, said: “More than 300 clubs are part of multi-club investment groups, leading to an increased risk of seeing two clubs with the same owner or investor facing each other in the same competition, creating potential integrity risks at the European level.

 

“The current context demands strict enforcement of cost control regulations and more harmonization of financial rules between leagues. This practice is paramount to limit overspending, ‘creative finance,’ and rules circumvention.

 

“As long as differences on key regulatory matters continue between leagues, inflationary tensions will persist, contributing to imbalances and instability.”

 

Elsewhere, the report found spending on player wages dropped by 1.1 percent among the clubs with the 20 most enormous player wage bills, with United spending 88m euros (£75m) less on player wages in 2023 compared to the year before. Barcelona and City significantly increased player wage spending – 158m euros and 68m euros (£134.8m and £58m) respectively.

 

Live Blog: European Championships

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Live Blog: European Championships

Women Wrestling 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg

 

 

The fourth day of the European Championships will be about women’s wrestling as five weight classes will be in action — 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg.

 

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

 

12:10: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) with a fall over Russo. She had built an 8-0 lead before hitting a four and getting a fall. She will now take on Anhelina LYSAK (POL) at 57kg.

 

11:50: Grace BULLEN (NOR) led 4-0 at the break and then made it 14-5 before getting the fall over Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE). Bullen is a returning silver medalist after suffering a heartbreaking loss in the 62kg final last year.

 

11:40: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) with a 26-second fall over Irina OLOGONOVA (AIN). Lysak is one of the favorites to win the 57kg gold medal. She will face the winner of Aurora RUSSO (ITA) and Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN)

 

11:35: Defending champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) falls at 53kg, dashing the hopes of local Elena IONESCU (ROU). Malmgren is looking to win his third straight European title.

 

11:25: Sztalvira ORSUS (HUN) was trailing Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in their 53kg about, but she came back to beat Malanchuk 9-5.

 

11:20: What a match on Mat C! Olesia BEZUGLOVA (AIN) was leading 8-7 after she had scored a four-pointer on Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL). But the Polish wrestler hits a double-leg, lifts Bezuglova, and gets two points with three seconds left. Choluj wins 9-8

 

11:15: The mat B has seen quick results! World and Olympic bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) with a 47-second fall against Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT). Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), formerly wrestling for Ukraine, beats Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) 10-0

 

11:05: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) takes out Erika BOGNAR (HUN) in the opening match at 57kg. Aliyeva is a returning silver medalist looking to earn her first gold.

 

10:50: U20 world champion Aurora RUSSO (ITA) took her time but beat Anna MICHALCOVA (CZE) 5-1 and advanced at 57kg. She will face Tokyo silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) in the 1/8 finals.

 

10:30: Welcome to day four of the European Championships. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) will be looking to defend their titles at 53kg and 72kg, respectively. Zhala ALIYEV (AZE), Irina RINGACI (MDA), Grace BULLEN (NOR), Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) are wrestling as well.

 

Credit: UWW

 

Turkey steals team title from Azerbaijan

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Turkey steals team title from Azerbaijan

Wins the Greco-Roman title by five points over Azerbaijan

 

Selcuk CAN (TUR)Selcuk CAN (TUR) won his first-ever European Championships gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) had a positive head-to-head record against Selcuk CAN (TUR) from their previous meetings. Whether it was last year’s European Championships or the 2022 World Championships, Ganizade defeated Can by a one-point difference, Vinay Siwach reports for UWW.

 

On Wednesday, as the two met in the European Championships final at 72kg in Bucharest, Romania, Can ensured he didn’t let Ganizade dominate and blanked the Azerbaijan wrestler 2-0 to win his first-ever European gold medal.

 

Can’s gold and teenager Alperen BERBER’s (TUR) dream run to the 82kg gold medal helped Turkiye win the Greco-Roman title by five points over Azerbaijan, who also had two champions on Wednesday.

 

The 97kg gold medal was defended by Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in a come-from-behind victory over Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) in the final. Armenia finished third in the team race.

 

Can and Ganizade were aggressive from the first whistle in the final but it was the former who was awarded the par terre advantage. Ganizade did well to defend from par terre and not let Can score any points.

 

In the second period, Ganizade would have hoped to get a par terre advantage but in a rare case, Can was awarded the second par terre advantage as well, making his lead 2-0 which remained the final score.

 

Alperen BERBER (TUR)Alperen BERBER (TUR) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal for Turkiye. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

U20 world champion Berber’s gold was not a big shot in the arm for him, but it helped Turkiye win the team title. Facing Islam ALIEV (AIN) in the final, Berber scored exposure on the edge of the zone for two points which he was awarded after a challenge. He was then awarded the par terre advantage as he led 3-0.

 

Aliev tried hard to attack but Berber wasn’t allowing him to penetrate. Aliev challenged for a singlet-foul which was confirmed on review. A big move from Aliev was deemed a stepout for Berber who was now running away with the gold.

 

Aliev was giving the par terre advantage late in the second period but he failed to score from par terre and Berber held on to his 4-3 lead.

 

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) defeated Victor CIOBANU (MDA) to win the 60kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

 

Azerbaijan’s two gold medals came with Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), both students of coach Hassan ALIYEV.  Mammadli stunned Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the 60kg final 8-3 while Jafarov showed why he is regarded as high, beating Ruslan BICHURIN (AIN), 8-5 in the 67kg final.

 

Ciobanu was awarded the par terre advantage in the first period but he failed to score any points. Mammadli managed to open his account with a stepout which put him in a 1-1 criteria lead. He gripped Ciobanu by his back and added two more points, leading 3-1 at the break.

 

Ciobanu used a similar move which Mammadli tried to throw off but Ciobanu ended up scoring a takedown in the zone. Mammadli was cross footed by Ciobanu but the foot had landed outsided the zone which gave Mammadli a point. Ciobanu challenged only to lose it. Mammadli got two points from a pass-by which looked Ciobanu’s defense but as he did not have a challenge, Mammadli was awarded two points, swelling his lead to 7-3. A stepout confirmed an 8-3 win for Mammadli.

 

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) hits a four on Ruslan BICHURIN (AIN) in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

 

Jafarov followed that with an even more impressive win in the 67kg final. Wrestling Bichurin, Jafarov led 1-0 at the break and gave up exposure in the second period, falling behind 3-1. A reversal made it 3-2.

 

A third passivity was confirmed in the final with a minute and six seconds left and that is Jafarov ran away with the match. He hit a magical four-pointer and as Bichurin tried a head-pinch in the same sequence, Jafarov held Bichurin on his back, getting two more points.

 

The world silver medalist now has two back-to-back European Championships titles.

 

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) won his seventh European title on Wednesday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

 

For Aleksanyan, who won his seventh title, Murtazaliev did prove to be a big challenge as he scored a takedown and then led 3-0 as he got a par terre.

 

But once Aleksanyan got the par terre advantage in the second period, he pulled off a powerful gut wrench to lead 3-3 on criteria which he made 4-3 when Murtazaliev challenged for a leg foul and lost.

 

Aleksanyan scored a takedown towards the end, confirming yet another gold medal, five months after suffering a heartbreaking loss in the World Championships final.

 

RESULTS

 

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Victor CIOBANU (MDA), 8-3

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (AIN) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 2-1
BRONZE: Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) df. Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU), 10-0

 

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Ruslan BICHURIN (AIN), 8-5

BRONZE: Abu AMAEV (BUL) df. Morten THORESEN (NOR), 8-5
BRONZE: Murat FIRAT (TUR) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), 5-4

 

72kg
GOLD: Selcuk CAN (TUR) df. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE), 2-0

BRONZE: Narek OGANIAN (AIN) df. Krisztian VANCZA (HUN), 3-1
BRONZE: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) df. Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA), 5-0

 

82kg
GOLD: Alperen BERBER (TUR) df. Islam ALIEV (AIN), 4-3

BRONZE: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 9-0
BRONZE: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 2-1

 

97kg
GOLD: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN), 6-3

BRONZE: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), via fall (8-0)
BRONZE: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) df. Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR), 8-0

 

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