Korrel gives the Netherlands a third medal at the European Judo Championships with bronze Sports Other

In extra time of the battle for bronze, Korrel scored a waza-ari and that turned out to be enough for a medal. The 2022 European champion reached the battle for bronze through the repechages. Korrel won against the Hungarian Zsombor Veg.

Thirty-year-old Korrel was the only Dutchman with a medal of honor on the third day of the European Championships. On Friday there were silver medals for Joanne van Lieshout in the class up to 63 kilograms and Frank de Wit in the class up to 81 kilograms.

Van ‘t End again missed out on a medal at the European Championships in the 90 kilogram class on Saturday. The 2019 world champion lost to the Romanian Alex Cret in the battle for bronze.

The 32-year-old Van ‘t End was punished for passivity for the third time in extra time (golden score), which meant a defeat. He was convincing in the retakes. He defeated Frenchman Alexis Mathieu by ippon.

Spijkers also missed the bronze. The heavyweight (above 100 kilograms) was no match for the Russian Tamerlan Bashaev. He went on his back and lost by ippon. The 27-year-old Spijkers managed to win European gold in 2022. He defeated compatriot Jelle Snippe in the repechages on Saturday in Zagreb.

The European Championships in Zagreb are an important measuring moment towards the Paris Games, which last from July 26 to August 11. Three years ago in Tokyo, the Dutch judokas only won one medal: bronze for Sanne van Dijke in the class up to 70 kilograms.

The last Dutchman to become Olympic champion was Mark Huizinga in 2000 in Sydney.