France Finds Its Answer Against Georgia in U23 Team Judo

France won the U23 European Mixed Team Judo title in Naples with a 4:3 victory over Georgia. After six contests left the teams level at 3:3, the final was decided by a repeat meeting in the -73 kg category.

Eliot Preve faced Mate Beruashvili again and scored Yuko after 57 seconds to secure the title for France. Preve had also won their earlier contest by Ippon, making his second victory decisive for the team.

France’s other wins in the final came from Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou in +70 kg and Teophila Darbes-Takam in -70 kg. Georgia’s Saba Kardava, Nino Loladze and Luka Javakhishvili won their contests to keep the tie level before the deciding bout.

France had reached the final by defeating Hungary 4:0 in the quarter-final and Ukraine 4:2 in the semi-final. Georgia overcame Germany 4:3 before beating host nation Italy 4:2.

Germany and Italy took the bronze medals. Germany defeated Ukraine 4:1, while Italy won by the same score against Hungary. Germany had stayed in medal contention through a 4:3 repechage win over the Republic of Moldova.

Germany’s bronze-medal tie began with wins for Mathilda Sophie Niemeyer in +70 kg and Mortaza Suha in +90 kg. Niemeyer prevailed with Yuko after a long Golden Score contest, while Suha won by Ippon. Those opening victories helped Germany build the lead that ended in a 4:1 result.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union