PSG wins ECC Champions League in Montpellier

The final block of the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024 showcased teams from four nations: France, Serbia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Competing for the first bronze medal were two French teams, Judo Nice Metropole and SGS Judo, while Golden Gori of Georgia faced Judo Ukraine for the second bronze medal. The grand final featured Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Red Star Belgrade, delivering a thrilling conclusion at the FDI Stadium in Montpellier, France.

The much-anticipated final saw PSG, a star-studded team, square off against the determined Red Star Belgrade, who had fought through a grueling semi-final to earn their spot. Romane Dicko, an Olympic medallist, opened the contest for PSG in the +70kg category, defeating Milica Zabic with a clean o uchi gari for ippon. The excitement continued with the return of French judo icon Teddy Riner. Facing former World Champion Andy Granda, Riner endured an intense tactical battle lasting over eight minutes, ultimately securing a win through Granda's third shido.

Marica Perisic, instrumental in Red Star’s semi-final victory, struggled in the final against Faiza Mokdar of PSG. Mokdar capitalized on an attempted sumi gaeshi, transitioning to an osaekomi for PSG's third win. Japan’s Ishihara Tatsuki completed the sweep against Bajsangur Bagajev, who retired due to injury in golden score, crowning PSG as the first Mixed Team Champions of the European Club Championships.

In the all-French bronze medal clash, Judo Nice Metropole emerged victorious over SGS Judo. Lucie Dupin (SGS) fell to Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou’s osaekomi, setting the tone for Nice. After a balanced exchange of wins, Teo L’Herbier clinched the victory in golden score with a juji gatame against Adam Kopecky, securing the medal for Nice.

The second bronze medal match between Golden Gori and Judo Ukraine saw the Georgian team dominate. Sophio Somkhishvili and Irakli Demetrashvili each delivered ippon victories in their opening contests. Eteri Liparteliani extended the lead with dynamic o uchi gari attacks, and Giorgi Terashvili sealed the clean sweep after a golden score disqualification of Vladyslav Kazmirov.

In the semi-finals, PSG achieved a swift victory over Judo Ukraine, winning three consecutive matches with outstanding performances from Murao Sanshiro, Coralie Hayme, and Priscilla Gneto. Red Star Belgrade’s semi-final against Judo Nice Metropole ended in a 3:3 draw, forcing a random draw. The deciding match saw Marica Perisic overcome De Carvalho in a marathon contest lasting over seven minutes, securing Red Star’s place in the final.

This year’s championship highlighted exceptional skill, endurance, and determination, leaving fans eager for the next season as the journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins.