The 2024 edition of the Junior and Senior European Championships was filled with drama on its second day, as Team Ukraine continued its domination with an incredible tally of 10 wins. But the story of the day included the big wins of Team Germany and Team France as they announced their arrival in style with strong performances all around.
In the only Germany vs France of the day, Benoit Prigent was almost upset by Kai Ibe, but walked away with a decision victory and moved up in the Senior Lightweight division. Ibe put on a great fight, and the result could have gone either way, which showed how Team Germany approached the day, winning upsets and earning themselves a place in the Power Rankings for Day 2. For France, it was the confirmation of an excellent work being done on grassroots MMA that the National Team put themselves in a great position to get several medals, totaling four wins in Day 2 alone. Aside from Prigent, there were wins for Ugo-Antton Vidal and Paul Denis Navero (pictured), both at Senior Featherweight, and Alexis Ciurleo (Senior Bantamweight).
The host nation Serbia had one of the best moments of the day when team captain and European silver medalist Ognjen Micovic locked in a first-round submission against Montenegro’s Luka Radulovic, while Viktor Jankovic, who won Performance of The Day in Day 1, was forced off the bracket with an injury. He made way for Altin Zenuni, with another Team Germany member advancing.
Speaking of Performance of The Day winners, there was only one recipient for Day 2, and that was Portugal’s Rivaldo Pereira. Showcasing a very mature striking game, he was able to flatten Italy’s Luca Mele with one punch following a beautiful slip and counter sequence. He advances in the Senior Welterweight bracket and is one win away from guaranteeing a European medal for his nation. Team Portugal had a day to remember as Iuri Rodrigues also booked a quarter-final spot with victory over Team Israel’s Maxim Kligman.
World champion Elias Erber had to work hard for his win as he got a split decision over Ireland’s Karl McConway, and European gold medalist Patrik Kutil also earned Czechia its only win of the day, beating the Ukraine’s Nazar Tarasevych.
Day 3 of competition in Belgrade will welcome the Women’s divisions, with Ireland’s Amy Scully and Mathilde Aschenberger, from France, the biggest names in action this Thursday, while Junior Light Heavyweight world champion Josyp El Sawy, from Team Germany, kicks off his European campaign.
Day 3 of the 2024 IMMAF European Championships will feature semifinal matchups for the Juniors and quarter-finals for the Seniors.
Watch the best action in amateur MMA live from Belgrade, Serbia by tuning into IMMAF.tv!
