Kenamju (NED) and Fiamme Azzurre (ITA) have qualified for the third round of the European Cup for Clubs. The Dutch formation won all matches in the second round in Valencia. Fiamme Azzurre finished second in the group.
Kenamju’s Dutch opponent Arashi was beaten by 5-0 and 4-1 in two matches. In total each team consists of five judoka from U66kg until the over 90kg category.
Second opponent of the team from Haarlem, Fiamme Azzurre (ITA) was also beaten with 5-0 in the first round and 3-2 in the second round.
Fiamma had beaten host Valencia Judo Club (ESP) by 3-2 twice. In the second match, Valencia beat Arashi (NED) 4-1 twice.
In the last matchround Kenamju defeated the host team by 4-1 and 3-2. Fiamme Azzurre beat Arashi twice.
The team of Kenamju finished first in the ranking winning all matches with an interesting team which included national Dutch coach Maarten Arens as well as the comeback of Dennis van der Geest who tore his elbow at the 2008 Olympic Games, but wanted to support his team with reaching the third round.
Also the Elmont brothers and former world champion Ruben Houkes where present in Valencia.
The team of Valencia consisted of World Championships runner-up Sugoi Uriarte (ESP) U66kg among others.
Kenamju have won the European Cup for Clubs twice in 1998 and 2003 but didn’t qualify for the final four over the last four years.
Kenamju and Fiamme Azzurre are qualified for round three which will be held in Levallois (FRA). The other three groups will be organised in Turkey, Russia and Germany.
Three of the last five editions of the ECC have been won by Yewara Newa (RUS). Last year Caykur Sport Club (TUR) was the winning team in the final in Tallinn.
Find a description of the new rules in the downloadable document below as well as the competition overview and previous rounds results.