We don’t want to forget the other gold medallists. Here are the quotes of all eight champions.
Gold Medallist -57 kg: VAN KREVEL, Larissa (NED) “I am really happy about this win as I did not expect this. I came here just hoping to be able to do my thing and see what happens. There were all hard matches against tough opponents and of course you expect that at a European Championships. Only in the final, after winning, did I stop and think, heh, I can win this today. During the day I was simply trying to keep focus and listen to a bit of music. I don’t really have any experience at senior tournaments. But I guess that will come now.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -60 kg: HUSEYNOV, Karamat (AZE) “I am very happy to win the gold medal. You know, I have not medalled for two years and today it was my first. I found my semi final and the final the most difficult from todays matches, because they were physically very strong.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -52 kg: KORKMAZ, Irem (TUR) “I won silver in Malaga last year so I knew the kind of difficulties I would face in this tournament. It was as hard as before but in the end I managed to take the gold. What’s nice is that I will be back next year and I am confident of being able to produce another winning performance.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -66 kg: IVANOV, Denislav (BUL) “I won my last medal in 2015; a long time ago. I was injured in 2016 and I had an elbow operation. It was not easy for me in the last years. All the more reason that I’m pleased to win the gold medal. I expected nothing. I came here to give my best and I was confident in my judo and my techniques. Now I am European Champion that is crazy.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -73 kg: HEYDAROV, Hidayat (AZE) “I was very tired today. After the Senior World Championships I had a rest and I went on vacation. I had no training whatsoever before these championships. That is why it was not my best performance. The final was very difficult because Murad Fatiyev is my club mate and we have the same coach. To fight against friends is always difficult.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -44 kg: DELEUIL, Justine (FRA) “This is my last year in juniors, I won the gold medal last year at the Junior European Championships. I had a little pressure to repeat my success from last year, but I managed and I am happy with my result to finish my time in juniors with this win.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist -55 kg: SHERIEV, Murtaz (RUS) “All of my fights were difficult especially the semi-final. My first fights were very short so I was not prepared very well. My opponent moved very fast and it was not easy to handle but I did.” – Carlos Ferreira
Gold Medallist: -48 kg: GERSJES, Amber (NED) “It was completely changed year for me because I moved to the new national training centre and I got a new coach. I still have to find my way. Maybe this was the reason that I felt relaxed and I didn’t put too much pressure on myself. When I entered the venue for the first time in the morning I had this feeling that I could win a medal. I left my home on Wednesday I said to my friends – I will come back with a medal. This was my self motivation and gave me the confidence to do it.” – Carlos Ferreira
