The European Judo Championships in Podgorica saw a heart-pounding finish Sunday as Georgia’s mixed team fought off a powerful Italian squad to claim gold. The match came down to a final, explosive showdown, and it was Georgia’s Somkhishvili who rose to the occasion.
A Final for the Ages: Georgia vs Italy
The atmosphere in the arena was electric even before the first bout kicked off. Italy, riding high after a record-setting eight medals earlier in the week, came in like a freight train. Georgia, set to host next year’s individual championships, had pride and preparation on their side.
First up, Manuel Lombardo showed his class for Italy, using a sharp sasae tsuri komi ashi to score against Georgia’s Bakhbakhashvili. He later closed the contest with a tidy shime waza, putting Italy ahead early.
Georgia punched back when Mariam Tchanturia squared off with Giorgia Stangherlin. After a brutal golden score period, Tchanturia flipped the script, countering a desperate Italian attack to level the score 1-1.
Italy Takes Control But Georgia Claws Back
Italy wasn’t rattled. In fact, they turned up the heat. Christian Parlati dismantled Luka Maisuradze with an ippon after setting him up beautifully. Asya Tavano kept the pressure rolling, flattening Sophio Somkhishvili with a sweeping harai goshi followed by a flawless osae komi hold.
The scoreboard said 3-1 Italy. Georgia’s backs were against the wall.
But just when it looked like Italy might run away with it, Guram Tushishvili stepped up. He locked down Gennaro Pirelli with an iron-grip osae komi, squeezing the life out of Italy’s momentum.
And then there was Eteri Liparteliani. In a nerve-shredding golden score fight, she yanked Veronica Toniolo into a low tani otoshi, tying the overall team score at 3-3.
One sentence here: The Podgorica crowd could barely stay in their seats.
The Final Draw: Fate Lands on the Heavyweights
With the teams tied, the rules called for a draw to determine which weight class would break the deadlock. The roulette spun… and landed on the women’s +70kg category.
Both teams gathered for last-second pep talks, voices loud, hands clapping backs. No one hid their nerves.
Somkhishvili came out like a rocket. She first went for harai goshi but quickly adjusted, wrapping up Tavano’s back and slamming her down with a heavy ko soto gake. In an instant, the crowd exploded. Georgia had done it.
Celebration, Tears, and a New Era for Georgian Women’s Judo
For years, Georgia’s men dominated the headlines, but the women often flew under the radar. Not anymore. This team sent a thunderous statement about their arrival on the European scene.
Eteri Liparteliani captured the feeling afterward, saying this win wasn’t just for today — it was for every girl watching back home dreaming of stepping onto the tatami.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the final match sequence:
| Match | Category | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Men’s -73kg | Manuel Lombardo | Italy |
| 2 | Women’s -70kg | Mariam Tchanturia | Georgia |
| 3 | Men’s -90kg | Christian Parlati | Italy |
| 4 | Women’s +70kg | Asya Tavano | Italy |
| 5 | Men’s +90kg | Guram Tushishvili | Georgia |
| 6 | Women’s -57kg | Eteri Liparteliani | Georgia |
| 7 | Women’s +70kg (Drawn) | Sophio Somkhishvili | Georgia |
Key Takeaways from a Historic Day
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Georgia showed grit, heart, and depth, especially from their women.
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Italy remains a powerhouse, but luck didn’t favor them when it mattered most.
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Sophio Somkhishvili’s winning throw is already being called one of the best moments of the tournament.
This final felt like more than just a sporting event. It felt like a shift in judo’s balance of power — and Georgia’s women were right at the center of it.
