Author: Iljana Marzok
What does it take to win a ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup on home soil? On Sunday [26 April] in Berlin, Germany got its answer. Host nation Germany claimed one gold, one silver and one bronze on day two, finishing 5th overall in the medal tally. Uzbekistan was the dominant force in the event with four gold, two silver and five bronze medals ahead of France (3/0/3) and Azerbaijan (2/5/6). Here is what happened on day two at Sportforum Berlin.
The women’s heavier categories produced gold medals for France, Italy and Uzbekistan, with France claiming two titles. Zuhra Alimova (UZB) denied Germany its first gold medal opportunity of the day. In the -57 kg final, she opened with a yuko for uchi-mata against Katharina Narrain (GER) and then secured a hold from which there was no escape.
Valeria Giordano (ITA) won the -63 kg final against Sevim Margaret Bilen (TUR). She scored a waza-ari for sankaku-gatame early in the contest and held on despite Bilen’s persistent threat with tani-otoshi and two yukos on the scoreboard. The -70 kg final between Norah Gosset (FRA) and Done Melike Ozbudak (TUR) was level after regular time and went to golden score. Ozbudak attacked repeatedly with sacrifice throws. But Gosset turned one to her advantage and won with a hold-down.
Therese-Grace Sassa-Tatukila (FRA) claimed the +70 kg gold against European Championship bronze medallist Hatice Tuana Balci (TUR). The French judoka countered a soto-maki-komi attack to secure her first gold at a European Cup. Dmytro Matuznyi (GER), Samandar Sunnatov (UZB), Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) and Melichar Skoda (CZE) claimed the men’s gold medals on day two.
Both Matuznyi and Sadig Mammadov (AZE) had reached a European Cup final in 2026 before. Both had earned silver. In the -73 kg final Matuznyi opened with a yuko for seoi-nage and Mammadov levelled with yoko-sumi-gaeshi. Both fighters attacked boldly throughout. It was Matuznyi who caught his opponent off guard with o-uchi-gari to secure Germany’s only gold of the event.
The -81 kg final went to Golden Score: Aykhan Hasanli (AZE) attacked with ura-nage but Samandar Sunnatov (UZB) countered with soto-maki-komi and took gold.
The standout performance of the day came from Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) in the -90 kg category. The reigning Berlin champion needed less than 27 seconds to throw Omar Akhundov (AZE) with sumi-gaeshi for ippon. It’s his fourth European Cup victory of 2026 and a statement of intent at cadet level. Melichar Skoda (CZE) won the over 90 kg final against Aleksandrs Apsalons (LAT) with a yuko for seoi-nage a minute from time and sealed it with a choke in the final second. It is his third gold medal of 2026.
Athlete spotlight: Dmytro Matuznyi
After Saturday, it was still unclear whether Germany would win a gold medal but then Dmytro Matuznyi stepped up in the -73 kg category. In the preliminary rounds he impressed with strong ne-waza, winning four fights by juji-gatame, including the bout against world number one Adam Rusnak (CZE). He also kept his composure and prevailed against two domestic rivals.
Before this season, Matuznyi was largely unknown. He had been a consistent presence with national medals and a third place at the 2024 Bremen Masters, a highly competitive international tournament held in Germany. But the German judoka had yet to make a broader mark. Within just eight weeks this year, the 17-year-old collected a medal at the German Championships, won the Bremen Masters, earned his first European Cup medal with silver in Teplice, and now takes gold in Berlin.
Before the competition, he felt no pressure: “I always go into competition relaxed and just see what happens.” His toughest test, he said, came in the final itself. “I was leading by yuko first, then gave up a yuko. It evened out. Then I managed to pull off an O-uchi-gari and score ippon.” When it was over, he made no secret of his relief. “Winning the gold medal feels really great. I finished second in Teplice and was a little disappointed. And now I have taken gold.” After the past few weeks Matuznyi now needs a short break. After that, the next steps are not entirely in his own hands. With his parents, club coach Kay Heger from JC Petersberg and state coach Dominik Riedel behind him, he knows he won’t face whatever comes next alone. Few outside Germany had heard of Dmytro Matuznyi. Now they have.
Farewell for now, Berlin. Thanks to all volunteers, officials, coaches and judoka. Congratulations to all medal winners! We look forward to the Junior European Cup on 20–21 June 2026 at Sportforum Berlin.
Author: EJU Media