Ireland’s London 2012 Olympic Champion, and four-time AIBA World Champion Katie Taylor advanced to the final of the Lightweight class (60 kg) at the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships, and has the chance gain yet another gold medal.

Her biggest rival was supposed to be Russia’s two-time AIBA World Champion Sofya Ochigava, but she was surprisingly eliminated by France’s Estelle Mossely, who goes on to face Taylor in the final.

Bout of the day
Russia’s newly crowned National Champion Sayana Sagatayeva is competing in her first ever continental event, but following her first two triumphs in the tournament she was able to continue her winning path.

The Flyweight class (51 kg) boxer attacked from the first seconds in the semi-final against France’s 18-year-old Wassila Lkhadiri, and The Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament silver medallist won her third contest by unanimous decision in Bucharest, and will be fighting for her first title against Bulgaria’s Stoyka Petrova tomorrow.

Team of the day
Bulgaria’s Sevda Asenova was a silver medallist in the 2007 EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships in Vejle, Denmark and she travelled to Bucharest in top form.

The 29-year-old Light Flyweight class (48 kg) boxer eliminated Turkey’s Ayse Cagirir in the semi-finals, and has got the chance secure her first ever European title against Romania’s two-time European Champion Steluta Duta,who was too strong for Germany’s Annemarie Stark.

Bulgaria’s second victory was delivered by London 2012 Olympian Stoyka Petrova, who achieved a bronze medal in the last edition of the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships in Rotterdam.

The Flyweight class (51 kg) boxer eliminated England’s London 2012 Olympic Champion Nicola Adams in the quarter-final, and continued her fantastic form by advancing to the final after beating Hungary’s Katalin Ancsin.

Bulgaria’s third triumph in the semi-finals was acquired by AIBA Women’s World Championships bronze medallist Svetlana Kamenova Staneva, who defeated Ukraine’s teenager Maryna Malovana.

Surprises of the day
France’s EU Champion Estelle Mossely is competing at a far higher level in comparison to her performance in the last edition of the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships in 2011.

The 22-year-old met with Russia’s Sofya Ochigava who has lost only to Ireland’s superstar Katie Taylor in the recent years.

Their semi-final contest was a real battle between the two strong boxers, and it was Mossely’s hand that was raised after the second semi-final of the Lightweight class (60 kg) bout.

Italy’s veteran Marzia Davide has been a member of their national squad since 2002, and has secured several medals worldwide and continental events in the last decade.

The 24-year-old Bantamweight class (54 kg) athlete has recently returned to the world of boxing, but she had to meet with Russia’s current AIBA World Champion Elena Saveleva in the semi-final of the event in Bucharest.

The Italian was fantastic, and defeated her star rival in Bucharest which means she can prepare for her final opponent, Poland’s Ewelina Pekalska-Wicherska who defeated France’s Marine Rostan.

One to watch
Hungary’s two-time AIBA World Champion Maria Kovacs moved back to her previous weight class the Heavyweight division (+81 kg) last year, and started with a clear triumph against a Lithuanian rival in Bucharest.

The 33-year-old met with a young hope of the weight category in Turkey’s EU Champion Emine Bozduman, who eliminated Russia’s former AIBA World Champion Irina Sinetskaya in the quarter-finals.

The veteran Hungarian competitor found the best fighting distance and controlled their bout from the first minute.

Her final opponent will be Italy’s Queen’s Cup winner Flavia Severin, who is a newcomer in continental championships.

Fact/stat of the day
The Russian delegation have been outnumbered by their opponents in the road to the finals, but they have three finalists in Bucharest.

Additionally, three Bulgarians kept their gold medal expectations in the championships while England, Italy and host Romania have two boxers on the last competition day.

Quote of the day
“I felt good today because the bout went the way I planned with my coach. I think I was not in any dangerous situation in the semi-final. I knew my Hungarian opponent because we met several times in various tournaments. My rival was brave in the whole fight but I could solve this mission,” said Netherlands’ top female boxer Nouchka Fontijn who defeated Hungary’s Timea Nagy.

Tomorrow’s program
The finals of the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships will be held tomorrow in Bucharest.

The most anticipated battle is expected between Ireland’s Katie Taylor and France’s Estelle Mossely, while the final of the Flyweight class (51 kg) between Russia’s Sayana Sagatayeva and Bulgaria’s Stoyka Petrova also promises world class boxing.

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