Second day - France’s Borel Claims Third European Title in a row in Novi Sad

French men’s epeeist, Yannick Borel, stormed to his third European fencing title in a row in Serbia today. Arguably, the most consistent performer of the season, Borel fell behind in the final against Estonia’s double World Champion, Nikolai Novosjolov, before going out on the attack to win 15-14 in sudden death extra time.

Borel’s progress to the final match was a mixed bag, as the Frenchman only just overcame his teammate, Ronan Gustin 15-13 early on. He also had to battle past Italy’s tactical genius, Andrea Santerelli to make the quarterfinals. He then beat Santarelli’s teammate, Gabriele Cimini comfortably, before facing rising German star, Richard Schmidt in the semi-finals. The German showed tremendous attacking flare but Borel’s experience at this level was enough to see him through 15-10.

Thirty-eight year old Estonian, Novosjolov, did not start the event well, dropping two fights in the ranking round. From there though, he showed the form he always has in big tournaments and eased through before having to edge sprightly Dane, Patrick Jorgensen 15-14 to make the medal matches. He then faced Ukraine’s Bogdan Nikishin, who is also 38 years old, in the semi-finals. In a thrilling encounter, Novosjolov made it five wins from five against Nikishin in quick time, coming from behind to win 10-9.

The final was a frantic affair which Estonia’s, Novosjolov dominated early on. Borel worked hard, using his opponent’s blade to edge him back into the match and it was the French fencer who had to show his attacking smarts to get back into the match. He managed to tie the scores up in regulation time but in the extra time minute Novosjolov went after Borel. The Frenchman was not to be denied and in the end it was his defence that took him over the line and to the European Title.

Full results are available online, here.

The Championships continue tomorrow with the women’s individual epee and men’s individual sabre events.