In the -57 kg category, it was Seija Ballhaus (GER) who raised her arms to the sky after her victory against Eteri Liparteliani, who was hoping to win the first European title for a female Georgian judoka. Liparteliani will have to wait a little longer. For the German judoka, an opportunistic left o-soto-gari allowed her to score a waza-ari mid-contest, an advantage she maintained until the end to win the European title. France, still wit a positive trajectory, won another bronze medal thanks to Martha Fawaz, while the second bronze medal went to Italy's Veronica Toniolo.
In the men's category, Danil Lavrentev (IJF) won against Manuel Lombardo (ITA). Lavrentev started the final strongly, forcing his opponent to be penalised twice for false attacks, before concluding on the ground with a beautiful leg clearance to finish with a kata-gatame for a deserved ippon. Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA) dashed Lasha Shavdatuashvili's (GEO) hopes of reaching an international podium again. A few weeks ago, it was Shavdatuashvili who won the semi-final of the Tbilisi Grand Slam after an amazing contest. This time, it was the Frenchman who prevailed after an epic golden score. The second bronze medal was won by Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE).
In the -63 kg category, the final was eagerly awaited, with Clarisse Agbegnenou, the queen of the sport, chasing a sixth European title. Very energetic and particularly incisive, she quickly gained the psychological upper hand over her opponent, defending champion Renata Zachova (CZE). Unfortunately for Agbegnenou, she made a mistake by applying a standing kata-sankaku, which earned her a disqualification. Zachova thus retained her title. The two bronze medals were won by reigning world champion Joanne Van Lieshout (NED) and Carlotta Avanzano (ITA).
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