(JUNE 26) There were two Gold medals ‘on offer’ in the women’s events at the inaugural European Games in Baku Thursday and as expected they went to the two hot favourites, GB’s Nicola Adams in the flyweight (51kg) and Dutch woman Nouchka Fontijn in the 75kg middleweight.

Britain’s Nicola Adams was the first woman to ever win a gold medal at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and added to that incredible record with the first title at the Baku 2015 European Games as well.

The 32-year-old star had to meet with Poland’s Sandra Drabik for the gold after the Polish star surprisingly defeated Russia’s Saiana Sagataeva in the semi-final stage of the event.

Adams was slightly tentative in the opening round, but improved vastly in the second and third frames of the women’s Flyweight (51 kg) final.

The British star pushed the tempo more, and her tenacious work-rate resulted into a close, but deserved victory. Drabik did surprisingly well to reach the final and is to be congratulated

On putting up such a gallant fight against the Olympic Gold medallist.

Adams said later: “"I feel fantastic and I can't believe I am bringing home another piece of history for Great Britain. It's great to be able to create history all the time.

"I trained really hard for these European Games. I just wanted to show everybody what I am about and that I am here to stay.

"I am like a comeback kid, you can never keep me down for long."

There was no surprise in the women's middleweight (69-75kg) final, which the powerful Dutchwoman, Nouchka Fontijn, won against 35-year-old Anna Laurell Nash of Sweden.


On Friday the two remaining 60kg semi-finals take place with French woman, and European silver medallist, Estelle Mossely taking on Tasheena Bugar of Germany. A win for Mossely is on the cards.

The other semi-final sees Ireland’s Katie Taylor take on the host nation’s Yana Alekseevna – and a very vocal local crowd – but Taylor is used to such ordeals having won World or European titles against home boxers China, Korea, Russia, Bulgaria and Romania amongst other venues.

As she put it: “I actually enjoy it. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic, and these are the kind of fights I cherish.

“There’s nothing I can do about the judging, or it being their backyard, or to change the home crowd. I just go in and try to do my best, go into every fight trying to win as easy as I can. She is a very clever boxer, so these are the kind of fights that I love.”

They did of course meet in the final of the 2014 World championships in Jeju, Korea where the Irish woman won her fifth World title in a row.

"I'm not going to relax. I will fight till the end. I'm also not an easy rival. I'm so happy to fight for Azerbaijan. These spectators support you with all their heart and soul. It is such a big pleasure to prove to yourself and the spectators that you are the best."

All the results from Baku (Male & Female are here: http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/EuropeanGames2015.html

Friday’s schedule in Baku: http://www.baku2015.com/schedules-results/sport=bx/day=2015-06-26/index.html?intcmp=sr-bysport-byday