The final everyone anticipated, the star-studded line up of Paris Saint-Germain against the wilful power of Red Star Belgrade, who endured a gruelling semi final to reach the prominent position within the FDI Stadium in Montpellier, France.
Up first was multiple Olympic medallist, Romane DICKO in the +70kg category for PSG, taking on Milica ZABIC of Red Star. Zabic attacked with o uchi gari, but after losing the control slightly stepped out of the attack, but leaving herself open to an o uchi gari from Dicko instead, who scored ippon and put the first win on the board for French team, PSG.
All-time French hero and icon, Teddy RINER was welcomed back on the tatami for the first time since his Olympic win in Paris mere months ago, not only by the avid Paris Saint-Germain fans in the crowd, but the entire FDI Stadium, beyond excited to see which tricks he may pull out of his bag. It wasn’t an easy win for Riner though, as former World Champion, Andy GRANDA of Cuba, representing Red Star Belgrade left no room for error, all the way to the buzzer. Riner likely imagined that the only golden score on the cards for him today was the JudoTV aftershow, instead he watched the clock tick down with a shido to both of their names. Another minute passed, another two shidos issued and it was a tactical battle that followed. This contests created an incredible atmosphere, with Granda almost scoring a waza ari in the eighth minute, team mates, fans, coaches and officials were on their feet, willing on their athletes. It may not have been the way he wanted to win, but Riner was the success story of this contests as Granda was issued a third shido.
You know 2024 has been the perfect year, for me, for France, my team Paris Saint-Germain! It’s an amazing day for the club, winning in this new format of mixed teams. For me and I think for everyone in the club, we are happy and are looking forward to the next season, preparing for Los Angeles 2028. About the fans, this is the story of the club, coming to support us, they have a love for us and for the club.
Marica PERISIC (Red Star) had carried her team in to this final after almost eight minutes of golden score after drawing with Judo Nice Metropole, but in the final she simply couldn’t find her footing and picked up an initial shido against Faiza MOKDAR (PSG). Perisic is known for her sumi gaeshi abilities, however on this occasion it didn’t work in her favour as Mokdar capitalised, moving swiftly to transition in to ne waza and secure an immovable osaekomi for Paris Saint-Germain’s third win in the Champions League final.
To get the clean sweep, Tokyo Grand Slam silver medallist and Japan’s ISHIHARA Tatsuki (PSG) needed the win against Bajsangur BAGAJEV (Red Star), but this may have been one of the more dynamic contests of the day. Both gave every last ounce of themselves in the -73kg contest, but after a minute of golden score, Bagajev suffered an injury that prevented him from continuing on and ceded the win. Again, it was not a preferable way to win, but it was golden finish for the esteemed Paris Saint-Germain team, making history as the first team to become the Mixed Team Champions of the European Club Championships.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen