GOLD, SILVER AND DASHED HOPES

Azerbaijan will remember the European Judo Championships in Turkey for the two medals it won there. Just as in the 2006 championships in Finland, the team came home with one gold and one silver medal, although the Azerbaijani team was capable of more at this prestigious competition.

Leading coach Agayar Akhunzade's team pinned their main hopes on Elnur Mammadli, and the winner of the summer Olympics in Beijing fully matched expectations. He reached the final of the European championships in the 81kg division, beating all his opponents. Then he faced Sergey Toma from Moldova. Displaying a single-mindedness that belied his youth, the Moldovan fought to the end of the final bout but was unable to block Elnur's path to the title. Interestingly, before the start of the competition, Toma had many kind things to say about Mammadli, and made no secret of the fact that our man was his judo idol. In triumphing over his young and spirited opponent, Elnur proved he was the best in Europe.

Our experienced Olympic champion triumphed in extra time of the final bout. Toma dropped his guard for an instant and this did not escape Elnur's attention. By putting his opponent on the deck, Mammadli once again proved his leadership of the Azerbaijani judo team; despite his victory, however, one still sensed that Elnur was not at his best. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani is recognized as the strongest competitor in world judo today.

It is worth recalling that in 2006 the then 18-year old Elnur Mammadli became senior European champion for the first time in his career. Two years later he realised every sportsman's dream by becoming Olympic champion. One would like to think that history will repeat itself - after twice conquering European heights, he will again strive to top the Olympic peak. He collected another 180 qualification points for becoming European champion and, with a total of 870 points, he has consolidated his position at the top of the world rankings.

Tarlan Kerimov was Azerbaijan's second medal winner. Reaching the final in the 66kg division, he showed his true form in the decisive bout. Despite losing to the Hungarian Miklos Ungvari, Kemirov showed great promise. Now the European runner-up must continue his quest to qualify for the summer Olympics in London. He has a real chance.

Representing Azerbaijan in the heavyweight (100kg and over) division, Emil Tashirov also deserves praise, although he did not get a medal. He did well to beat the Russian Dmitriy Sterkov in the opening match, although he was out of luck in the next bout in which he was drawn against three-time world champion Teddy Riner of France. Although Emil only managed to stand up to his opponent for a minute and a half, observers were struck by his persistence. With a little more work, he will fill the country's gap in the heavyweight division.

The championships in Turkey also marked the return of Nidzhat Shihalizade in the 60kg division. Despite his four year ban from competition for taking drugs, he showed that he had not lost his form in that time. After beating Beslan Mudranov, he lost to the German Tobias Englamaier. Before the championships the coaches did not set his sights too high. The main thing was to get him back into the big time and used to the atmosphere of major competition. It is no secret that he will face serious competition from Ilgar Mushkiyev for a place in the team. And that is why there are doubts about Nidzhat making it to London. 

The European championships also revealed serious problems in the 73kg division. So far neither Renat Mirzaliyev nor Ramil Qasimov has been able to prove himself, and since Olympic champion Elnur Mammadli switched to a different division, a gap has opened up here. The coaches will need to work hard on this.

Elmar Qasimov was disappointing at the European championships. In the 100kg division the European junior champion again returned without a medal in the senior competition. Although Elmar was drawn against a weaker opponent, in Dane Frederik Jorgensen, the Azerbaijani was eliminated in the first round. This defeat should be a serious wake-up call for him, otherwise his chances of making it to the Olympics look rather slim.

Elkhan Mamedov also looks unlikely to make the Olympic squad in the 90kg division. Although he has usually come back from the European championships with a medal in the past three years, on this occasion he lost his very first match to the unknown Serbian, Nikola Nikolic, and this baffled the coaches. Elkhan's main problem is his inconsistency at the top level.

As far as the Azerbaijani women are concerned, Kifayat Qasimov (57kg) and Ramilya Yusubova (63kg) both failed to get medals. Although the experienced Kifayat was hoping for a bronze, defeat in the third-place match foiled her.

On the whole, the Azerbaijani judo team gave a good account of itself at the championships. Those who did not win medals and qualification points in Turkey still have a chance to come good in the international European qualifying tournament in Baku from 8-9 May.