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12/08/2008
Team Manager's Report - EU Women's Championships
Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool.
4th - 9th August 2008.
View the full medal table here
Day 1 (03/08/08) Arrival.
Everyone assembled at Roscoe and Gladstone Hall between 3pm-5pm, where we received our accreditation and allocated everyone their rooms. Once they had all settled in the boxers had a check weigh before going in for the evening meal. Later in the evening, the boxers had a training session whilst I attended the technical delegates meeting, after which I informed the boxers of the weigh-in times for the next few days. The boxers retired to bed shortly afterwards.
Day 2 (04/08/08)
The boxers were woken up early in time for a check weigh before the official weigh-in 7am-9am. This was followed by breakfast. The draw took place at about 11am, followed by a brief talk from Shirpa Makkonen, Chairperson of EUBC Women's Boxing Commission. Everyone then went to lunch. After lunch we had a meeting where the draw was discussed and Michael Gannon, England national coach, spoke with the boxers. We also discussed what would happen at the opening ceremony before the boxers went to get ready for a training session. During the afternoon some of the boxers went to take a look at the Venue which was just down the road from the accommodation.
Everyone assembled at 5:20pm in time to make our way to the venue for the opening ceremony and the evening's boxing. Only 3 were boxing.
48kg Chloe Fairhead (Eng) Vs S Ourahmourne (Fra) RSC-1
Chloe went into the bout positive with a fast start, a number of shots being thrown but not scoring. Very relaxed and confident, Chloe was unfortunately caught by a back hand by Ourahmourne causing a nose bleed, the referee intervened calling in the Doctor who allowed the round to go on. After Chloe's nose bled again, the referee prematurely stopped the contest in the 1st round. An excellent display by a 17yr old on her debut contest.
50kg Hannah Beharry (Eng) Vs K Ruszcynska (Pol) 6-4
Hannah entered the ring with a very positive attitude, going forward having Ruszcynska fighting her fight, cutting her off at every opportunity, throwing combinations of shots and using her accurate back hand and doing enough to secure her a 6-4 win and a place in the medals.
57kg Lucy Abel (Eng) Vs R Seppa-Lassila (Fin) 11-2
Lucy went into the first round with an early lead, throwing a combination of strong powerful shots unable to miss her opponent with a left hook, showing everyone her ring control and overall speed, making her look like the international athlete that she is. This gave her a well earned 11-2 finish giving her a place in the medals, a brilliant display of boxing.
The evening meal was provided at the Venue so the boxers were able to eat when they were ready. After the boxing we returned back to the accommodation. Those boxing the following day had a check weigh before retiring to bed.
Day 3 (05/08/08)
Weigh-in was 8am-9am at the Venue, 4 boxers on today followed by breakfast at the accommodation block. Shortly after breakfast (7-9:30am) those who were boxing went to rest while the others had a training session. Lunch was 12-2pm, followed by another training session and some rest. We assembled at 5pm to make our way to the venue for the evening's boxing which started at 6pm.
54kg Nicola Adams (Eng) Vs M. Michalczuk (Pol) 9-13
Nicola entered the 1st round wary of the world ranked Michalczuk, trying to pick her shots, although throwing bent-arm shots, the strong Pol piping her to the punch every time. Although Nicola started attacking the Pol with accurate combinations totally domineering the final round it came a little too late ending the round in a 9-13 defeat, shattering one of England's favourites and taking her out of the medals.
63kg Natasha Jonas (Eng) Vs C. Athanasopoulou (Gre) 13-1
Although with the complete backing of the crowd and looking very relaxed Natasha started slow, just finding her distance not allowing her Greek opponent to lay a shot on her. Picking up her pace catching Athanasopoulou with strong accurate back hands and powerful right hooks, causing her to receive a standing count in the final round. Natasha ended the bout on a well deserved 13-1 win and a place in the medals.
70kg Lesley Sackey (Eng) Vs R Hulgersson (Swe) 4-1
Lesley was very positive and focused entering the ring against a world ranked Ronja, scoring the first points of her major international tournament. She glided around the ring throwing shots from every angle unable to miss with her well placed back hand and sharp jabs, although again some did not register. Unfazed Lesley matched the Swede for roughness, power and strength ending the round in a nail biting 5-5, countback 11-11, with a final score by jury of 4-1 win. The 5 bout club show boxer made her world ranked opponent look very ordinary.
80kg Lydia Morgan (Eng) Vs P Fetti (Rom) Rtd 2
Lydia entered the ring on her debut international tournament looking relaxed and started the round boxing really well, moving gracefully around the ring shocking her opponent with her accurately placed back hand to head. The Romanian recovering well, coming back with a flurry of attacks causing Lydia to put on her back foot, a very exciting round ending 2-5. Lydia returned to the corner feeling very unwell and unable to continue causing the corner to retire her. An excellent performance from our young 80kg athlete. After everyone had eaten they all returned to the accommodation and retired to bed for a good nights sleep. This was the routine for the majority of the week.
Day 4 (06/08/08) Semi-Finals
Weigh-in 8am-9am. Semi Finals.
Hannah Beharry was unable to box due to a shoulder injury.
52kg Sharon Holford (Eng) Vs E. Yilmaz (Tur) 34-28
Sharon entered the ring looking confident and relaxed, throwing combinations of shots many failing to score, and having to contend with an opponent who kept holding, using a strong right was able to give the Turk a standing count during the 2nd round, ending in 7-13. Sharon kept Yilmaz on her back foot throwing some strong head shots and keeping out of reach just enough to end the bout on a fantastic 15-15, on Count Back 34-28 much to the annoyance of the Turkish Team.
57kg Lucy Abel (Eng) Vs A. Malefaki (Gre) 7-2
Lucy entered the ring looking very confident and relaxed, throwing some powerful shots ending the round 1-1. Entering the 2nd round with determination using her speed and a combination of powerful shots Lucy, kept out of the Greek's reach. Keeping up the pace and continuing with her strong punches and speed comfortably winning the bout 7-2 and giving her a place in the finals.
Day 5 (07/08/08) Semi-Finals
Weigh-in 8-9am.
60kg Annastasia Cousins (Eng) Vs C. Orain (Fra) 3-8
Anna went into the round looking confident and moving well scoring the first 2 points of the bout, keeping the experienced world class French boxer moving but Orain continued to move, throw and hold making it very difficult for Anna to catch up, a very busy round with a high work rate ending the bout 3-8.
63kg Natasha Jonas (Eng) Vs L. Rosa (Rom) 12-2
Natasha started off very well, not getting involved with the strong Romanian, easing into the bout finding her range with the Romanian unable to avoid her shots and keeping her off guard. Stepping up a gear throwing combinations of powerful shots Natasha ended the bout comfortably 12-2 securing herself a place in the Finals.
66kg Amanda Coulson (Eng) Vs L. Lien (Nor) 7-3
Amanda went into the contest looking relaxed scoring instantly giving herself a 4-0 lead at the end of the round, not having got out of gear. In the 2nd round she continued to throw shots not getting involved with her strong Norwegian opponent comfortably ending the round 5-1. In the 3rd round Amanda continued to keep her opponent out of range securing herself a place in the Finals with a 7-3 win, having hardly broken into a sweat.
70kg Lesley Sackey (Eng) Vs P. Patrizia (Ita) 8-2
Lesley entered the ring looking focused and determined against her very experienced opponent. Unfazed with the Italian Southpaw taking her to 1-0 at the end of the round. During the 2nd round Lesley kept throwing a variety of shots, many failing to register, keeping out of the Italians way ending the round 3-0. In the 3rd round Lesley continued throwing combinations of strong shots causing Patrizia to receive a standing count. Ending the bout on a fantastic 8-2.
Day 6. (08/08/08)
Friday was a rest day. We all had breakfast where we were all given a packed lunch. The boxers went to rest before meeting up again at 12:30pm to go to bingo. The boxers had decided that this was what they wanted to do during the afternoon. We arrived back about 3pm, after having a team photo some of the boxers went shopping to Manchester with Amanda Groarke while others had a light train before Tea. Later in the evening they had a training session before retiring early to bed.
Day 7. (09/08/08) FINALS
Weigh-in 8-9am. 6 boxers through to the Finals. After breakfast the boxers rested before lunch (12-1) after which we had a meeting. Boxing started today at 2pm.
52kg S. Holford (Eng) Vs S.Ouchen (Fra) 4-14
Sharon entered the ring looking confident and relaxed throwing combinations of strong punches but many failed to register against the World ranked French boxer ending the round 2-5. During the 2nd round her French opponent kept holding but Sharon threw some strong shots ending the round 4-9. In the 3rd round Sharon continued throwing some strong punches despite Orain continuing to hold making it hard for Sharon to catch up, finishing the bout 4-14 and giving her a Silver medal.
57kg L. Abel (Eng) Vs K. Graczyk (Pol) 4-0
Lucy started the round looking relaxed throwing powerful well aimed shots, keeping her Polish opponent at a distance only managing to score 1 point by the end of the round (1-0). Maintaining her lead Lucy continued to move and throw her powerful shots ending round 2 4-0. This was also the pattern in the final round keeping out of Graczyk's reach and guaranteeing herself a gold medal with a final score of 4-0.
63kg N. Jonas (Eng) Vs G. Tatar (Tur) 6-11
Natasha entered the ring looking confident using combinations of powerful shots and her accurate back hand was able to take an early lead. Unfortunately the experienced Tatar pulled the scores back keeping Natasha on her toes taking the final score to 6-11 and a silver medal.
66kg A. Coulson (Eng) Vs F. El Hadrati (Fra) 10-13
Amanda entered the ring confident and relaxed moving and throwing powerful shots keeping the strong French boxer on her toes but with many shots failing to register. Amanda was able to pull back the score in the final round to 10-13 and earning her a silver medal.
70kg L. Sackey (Eng) Vs G. Lagmiry (Fra) 11-4
Lesley looked relaxed and confident on entering the ring and started well throwing powerful combinations of back hands and sharp jabs gaining an early lead. She kept this up throughout the bout continuing to move and throw punches at the experienced Lagmiry in an excellent display of boxing ending the bout in a well earned 11-4 and a gold medal winner.
75kg L. Perryman (Eng) VsL. Turcin (Rom) 2-8
Lisa was looking very confident entering the ring, throwing combinations of shots against the experienced Romanian boxer. Moving and throwing punches Lisa boxed extremely well but was unable to pull back the score ending the bout on 2-8 and securing herself a Silver Medal.
After the medal ceremonies and photos we all had tea then returned to the accommodation for a disco. Some Boxers left that evening others left the following morning.
Day 8. (10/08/08) Departure
Those boxers remaining travelled home.
End Result:
2 GOLD medals: Lucy Abel and Lesley Sackey.
4 SILVER medals: Sharon Holford, Natasha Jonas, Amanda Coulson, Lisa Perryman.
2 BRONZE medals: Hannah Beharry, Annastasia Cousins.
Coaches
Alwyn Belcher
Amanda Groarke
Stuart O'Connor
Boxers
Chloe Fairhead 48kg
Natasha Jonas 63kg
Hannah Beharry 50kg
Amanda Coulson 66kg
Sharon Holford 52kg
Lesley Sackey 70kg
Nicola Adams 54kg
Lisa Perryman 75kg
Lucy Abel 57kg (Team Captain)
Lydia Morgan 80kg
Annastacia Cousins 60kg
Hospitality:
The accommodation was very good and clean, with a variety of good food available at all meals. Staff were polite and helpful at all times.
The venue was a sports academy which was clean and spacious with plenty of facilities for the boxers to change and warm up.
The event was very well organised with information readily available. A credit to Rebecca Black, ABAE and especially to North West Counties.