France Survives the Pressure as Cadet Mixed Team Medal Battles Take Shape

France stayed on course at the European Judo Championships Cadets Gran Canaria 2026, but the mixed team event did not open with an easy path. The defending champions and top seeds reached the semi-finals, while Austria, Ukraine and Georgia also moved into the last four after a day full of tight contests and one major surprise.

The mixed team competition brought together 13 nations for the final continental honours. France entered as the nation everyone was chasing and began with a bye in Pool A before beating Türkiye 4:1 in the quarter-finals. It was a composed start from the reigning champions, who again showed the squad depth that has made them such a strong force in cadet team Judo.

France looked solid, but the route to the title was far from simple.

One of the biggest stories came in Pool B, where Czechia knocked out Azerbaijan in the round of 16 with a 4:2 win. That result changed the shape of the bracket and opened the door to an intriguing quarter-final against Austria.

Austria had already made a statement with a commanding 4:0 victory over Greece. Against Czechia, they were tested early after dropping the opening bout, but the team responded in style. Four straight wins turned the match around and sealed a convincing 4:1 result, sending Austria into the semi-finals with real momentum.

Pool C delivered the most dramatic moment of the day. Ukraine first defeated Germany 4:2, then faced Poland in a quarter-final that ended level at 3:3. With no separation between the teams, the draw selected the -81 kg category for the deciding contest, sending Wiktor Wolasewicz of Poland and Nikita Sakharov of Ukraine back onto the tatami.

Their second meeting became a winner-takes-all golden score battle. Sakharov held firm in the decisive moment and earned the victory that pushed Ukraine into the semi-finals. In a competition built on pressure, it was one of the clearest examples of how quickly everything can come down to a single contest.

Ukraine needed a second -81 kg battle to break Poland’s resistance.

Pool D also produced a tense route to the final four. Slovenia and Bulgaria met in a close contest between two teams that had already impressed during the individual championships. That quarter-final finished 3:3, and once again the draw returned to the -81 kg category for the deciding match. Slovenia came through and booked their place against Georgia.

But the semi-final place ultimately belonged to Georgia with total authority. After waiting for their opponent, the pre-tournament favourite delivered one of the most one-sided performances of the round and defeated Slovenia 4:0.

So by the end of the day, the final six had turned into a final four: France, Austria, Ukraine and Georgia. Some favourites held their ground, some challengers broke through, and the cadet mixed team event once again proved how quickly momentum can swing in team Judo.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union