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30/06/2009
Women's EU Championships team manager's report
Martin Webb's full team manager's report from the Women's European Union Championships in Bulgaria.
Quarter finals
51kg Sharon Holford beat V. Nave (France) 4:3
Sharon demonstrated an economical punch strategy that ultimately paid dividends. Trailing by a point going in the fourth and final round, Sharon changed tactics and piled the pressure on the French boxer, to take the round 2-0 and secure a bronze medal in the process. Sharon's win proved sweet revenge, having lost to Nave 1-11 last year.
69kg Savannah Marshall beat K. Furmaniak (Poland) 5:2
In her debut senior international appearance, Savannah boxing for the first time over 4 x 2 minute rounds, demonstrated maturity and coolness that belies the youngsters age of just 18. The English girl controlled the bout at range against the strong Pole to move into the semi finals.
57kg Lucy O'Connor beat Graczyk (Poland) 8:2
This bout was a rubber match encounter, with both women holding a win apiece against their rival. After a cautious opener, team captain Lucy went up a gear in the second with her counter punching rear right hands proving effective, by taking the session 3-1. With the southpaw Pole suffering a nose bleed from the third onwards, Lucy boxed sublimely in the fourth round, winning it by 3-0 and the overall contest a resounding 8-2.
64kg Natasha Jonas beat B. Karabulut (Turkey) 13:3
Southpaw Natasha grew in confidence over the course of this contest, with her excellent ring craft catching the eye. Natasha really got into her rhythm in the third and fourth rounds, taking the sessions 4-0 and 4-1 respectively with her swift combinations bedazzling the Turk.
Semi finals
48kg Hannah Beharry lost to S. Ourahmoune (France) 1:4
Hannah forced the pace throughout the contest. At the half way point, the scores were even at one a piece, however last year's world silver medallist raised her game, to take a close points verdict from the English boxer.
51kg Sharon Holford beat S. Lucarno (Italy) 4:1
In a tense bout, Sharon pulled out a cracking third round performance, taking the session by 3-0 and thus in effect sealing her place in the final. Nimble footwork and excellent defensive skills saw her close down the final round without conceding a point.
57kg Lucy O'Connor lost to M. Davide (France) 2:2 (4:4 countback, 1:4 judges award)
Lucy found the tall southpaw French boxer a tricky proposition in a desperately close contest. Whilst Lucy's left hook paid dividends, it wouldn't be enough, as she dropped the closest of decisions.
64kg Natasha Jonas beat M. Chaneva (Bulgaria) 9:4
Natasha had to be on her toes to advance in this contest, as the well supported local women aimed to land heavy shots. Totally unfazed, Natasha weathered the pressure and produced a quality display of boxing on the back foot, most notably in the last round, which she won 4-1.
69kg Savannah Marshall beat R. Hristova (Bulgaria) 4:0
Giving an unspectacular yet effective performance before a wildly partisan crowd, Savannah snatched a point from every round, without return, securing guaranteed silver in the process.
Finals
51kg Sharon Holford beat K. Czuba (Poland) 5:4
With Sharon trailing at the half way stage 1:3, the situation looked grim. However, the Sheffield girl re-grouped and boxed the best two rounds of her life, sinking accurate body shots into the Pole's midriff on a regular basis. Sharon's performance was her best of the tournament and she would be good value for a hard earned gold medal, which I had the honour of being selected to present.
64kg Natasha Jonas beat C. Csejtei (Hungary) 9-0
A master class was displayed by the confident English boxer. In effect, the bout was over at the halfway stage, with Natasha 8:0 up. Nonetheless, Natasha moved well and fired in classy shots to improve on her two silvers in previous EU championships to secure the elusive gold.
69kg Savannah Marshall beat T. Garcia (Spain) 15-2
This would prove to be Savannah's best performance of the tournament as she skated to victory against the stocky Spaniard. Savannah forced a standing eight count in the third, as her renowned power came to the fore. Savannah remains unbeaten in fifteen contests and has achieved gold at her debut senior major championship at the tender age of just eighteen.
Overall:
3 Gold - Savannah Marshall, Natasha Jonas, Sharon Holford
2 Bronze - Lucy O'Connor, Hannah Beharry
Having received a tough draw at the beginning of the tournament, the England team should be to be congratulated on their outstanding performances, winning ten of their twelve contests ranking top of the tournament. The women's team is now firmly established as one to be respected and their performances in Bulgaria auger well for the forthcoming European Championships in September.
On the flight home, the captain announced over the PA that the victorious English boxing team were on board, which received a deserved round of applause.