The first historic boxing gold medalists have been crowned in the Baku 2015 European Games, while the semi-final stages of the event also finished on Day 10.

Bout of the day

Britain’s Nicola Adams was the first woman to ever win a gold medal at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and added to that incredible record with the first title at the Baku 2015 European Games as well.

The 32-year-old star had to meet with Poland’s Sandra Drabik for the gold after the Polish star surprisingly defeated Russia’s Saiana Sagataeva in the semi-final stage of the event.

Adams was slightly tentative in the opening round, but improved vastly in the second and third frames of the women’s Flyweight (51 kg) final.

The British star pushed the tempo more, and her tenacious work-rate resulted into a close, but deserved victory which entertained the watching crowd in Baku.

Gold medallists on Day 10

• Women’s 51 kg: Nicola Adams, Great Britain
• Women’s 75 kg: Nouchka Fontijn, Netherlands
• Men’s 49 kg: Bator Sagaluev, Russia
• Men’s 56 kg: Bakhtovar Nazirov, Russia
• Men’s 81 kg: Teymur Mammadov, Azerbaijan

Team of the day

Azerbaijan enjoyed a strong day in their home Games with three vital victories.

Firstly, EUBC European Continental Championships silver medallist Elvin Mamishzada defeated Germany’s Hamza Touba in the semi-final of the Flyweight class (52 kg).

Both boxers shared the spoils in the opening two rounds, which made the third round all important.

It was Mamishzada who edged the frame, and he qualified for the final where he will face Italy’s Vincenzo Picardi.

Azerbaijan’s Cuban-descent boxer Lorenzo Sotomayor Collazo won the test event of the Baku 2015 European Games in April, and he is nearing a clean sweep of Baku gold medals in this tournament as well.

The 30-year-old Light Welterweight class (64 kg) performed at a different level to Ukraine’s AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Viktor Petrov, and advanced to the final where he will battle Italy’s London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist Vincenzo Mangiacapre, who eliminated Germany’s Kastriot Sopa.

Azerbaijan’s London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist Teymur Mammadov completed an excellent day for his country with a dynamic final win over Italian WSB hero Valentino Manfredonia.

Light Heavyweight (81 kg) has been one of the most enthralling weight divisions in Baku, with Mammadov a huge reason for that reputation.

Mammadov’s reach and clever use of distance was particularly impressive, and his footwork enabled concise counter-attacks which frequently troubled Manfredonia.

The 22-year-old Azeri athlete won every round to secure the first gold medal for the host nation in Baku.

Surprise of the day

Italy’s Valentina Alberti was not a gold medal favourite of the women’s Light Welterweight class (64 kg) in Baku, but the 21-year-old has now reached the final of the European Games after yet another wonderful performance.

Alberti had already eliminated Sweden’s AIBA Women’s Youth World Champion Agnes Alexiusson and Denmark’s Camilla Skov Jensen to secure at least a guaranteed bronze medal, and she will now fight Russia’s defending AIBA Women’s World Champion Anastasia Beliakova for the gold medal after her surprising win over AIBA Women’s Youth World Champion Aneta Rygielska.

Ones to watch

An excellent final of the women’s Bantamweight class (54 kg) has now been set between Russia’s Elena Saveleva and Italy’s EUBC European Women’s Continental Champion Marzia Davide after both claimed wins on Day 10.

2014 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships bronze medalist Saveleva outperformed Azerbaijan’s Anna Alimardanova, while Davide eliminated Germany’s Azize Nimani.

Netherlands’ EUBC European Women’s Continental Champion Nouchka Fontijn ended her European Games just as she had started it – with success.

The Dutch women’s Middleweight class (75 kg) gold medalist began the tournament by defeating Britain’s former AIBA Women’s World Champion Savannah Marshall, and finished with aplomb after outclassing Sweden’s Anna Laurell Nash in the gold medal bout.

Quotes of the day

“It feels so good to bring yet another piece of history home to Britain. I am so full of energy right now. I trained hard for the European Games, and I showed everybody what it is all about. I have no problems with injuries. My shoulder is fine and I hope it will stay that way when it is time to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” commented Nicola Adams.

“During the bout I did all that my coach has taught me and more. My Ukrainian opponent had a very good preparation, so my semi-final was not so easy as I had never fought against him before. Thanks to God for helping me win today. I have never met my final opponent Vincenzo Mangiacapre, but I have been watching his bouts and analysing his tactics so I am more or less prepared for the finals where of course I am aiming for gold,” remarked Azerbaijan’s Lorenzo Sotomayor Collazo.

Tomorrow’s program

A further five new champions will be crowned on the eleventh competition day of the Baku 2015 European Games at the women’s Bantamweight (54 kg), women’s Light Welterweight class (64 kg), men’s Flyweight class (52 kg), men’s Light Welterweight class (64 kg) and men’s Super-Heavyweight (+91 kg) weight classes.

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