Twenty-eight year old German, Max Hartung defended the European title that he won last year, today in Novi Sad. Hartung put on a superb tactical display to defeat Russian, Kamil Ibragimov in a thrilling final.
Hartung’s day started well as he came through the ranking round as top seed. He benefited from his high ranking but still had to face Hungary’s double Olympic Champion, Aron Szilagyi to progress to the medal matches. In a fight that could well have been the final, Hartung progressed, but only just, 15-14.
His semi-final opponent, World number 20, Sandro Bazadze of Georgia, also came through the ranking rounds well but had to battle his way past Italy’s World number six, Luca Curatoli, 15-14 to make the semi-finals.
Bazadze stole a late lead in a close top four match against Hartung but the German demonstrated great tactical decision making under pressure to make the gold medal match, winning 15-14.
Russia stole the show in the bottom half of the draw, as both twenty-five year old Kamil Ibragimov and twenty-four year old, Dmitriy Danilenko progressed to the medal matches without trouble. Their semi-final was extremely one-sided. Danilenko was all about attacking intent but Ibragmiov’s defence was simply too strong and the older fencer progressed with ease, 15-9.
So World number 8, Imbragimov and World number 10, Hartung faced each other in a match that was clearly going to be tight. Hartung started the better but by the break Ibragimov had used variety off the line to lead 8-7. Again it was Hartung’s tactical decision making that allowed him to steal the lead. Working better than the Russian off the line in the closing period, Hartung claimed his second consecutive European crown with a spectacular parry riposte.
The full results are available online, here.
The Championships continues tomorrow with the start of the team events.
