European Games 2015, Baku: Gold for Ana Maria Branza in women’s individual epee, silver for Dolniceanu

Romanian fencer Ana-Maria Branza has won the first gold medal for Romania in women’s individual epee final in Baku European Games (Azerbaijan) on Tuesday, after defeating Russia’s Iana Zvereva, 15-11.

The final was particularly balanced, with the first seven touches being double (7-7). The Romanian fencer took over the leadership for the first time, 8-7, but Zvereva recovered (8-8), and then advanced to 11-9. Ana-Maria Branza won the last round and succeeded six consecutive touches, winning the gold medal.

Romania has also won a bronze medal in the women’s epee, by Simona Gherman, who was beaten in the semifinals by Zvereva, 15-8.

Ana-Maria Branza (2nd in the FIE rankings) has defeated in the quarterfinals Catharina Kock (Finland) 15-4, after winning in the last sixteen against Katrina Lehis (Estonia) 15-12. Branza has won the preliminary A Group, which included Bianka Bukocki (Hungary), Elmira Hudaverdieva (Azerbaijan), Emma Samuelsson (Sweden), Julia Beljajeva (Estonia) and Ewa Nelip (Poland) and Dagmar Ciparova (Slovakia).

Simona Gherman (FIE 11th) defeated in the quarterfinals Giulia Rizzi (Italy).

Also on Tuesday, Romanian fencer Tiberiu Dolniceanu won the silver medal in the men’s individual sabre final, after losing 10-15 the final against Ukrainian Andrei Iagodka.