The European Judo Union (EJU) confirmed the 2018 event would be heading to Israel during the 2017 edition of the competition in Warsaw.

An official flag handover ceremony was held as this year's event in the Polish capital came to a close yesterday. 

The exact location and dates of the 2018 competition have not yet been confirmed.

Ynet News have reported, however, that two arenas are touted as potential venues - the Tel Aviv Convention Center and the Pais Arena in Jerusalem.

Israel hosted the European Under-23 Championships in Tel Aviv last November and the Israel Judo Association (IJA) claim the success of the event convinced the EJU they should be given the hosting rights for the senior event in 2018.

IJA chairman Moshe Ponte called on the whole country to support their hosting of the Championships.

"It is a great honour for us to be chosen as the hosts of such a major sporting event," he said. 

"The country needs to take it on itself to help us. 

"We can't do this alone."

According to Ynet News, EJU President Sergey Soloveychik will meet with Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev next month to finalise plans for the event.

"I could list three reasons why it is important for us to host the European Championships next year," Ponte added.

"First of all, it will be for the first ever time we are hosting a senior European Championships. 

"Last year, we hosted a great Under-23 European Championships which everybody enjoyed, all the people and all the countries said it was a great Championship. 

"Secondly, because Israel is going to celebrate their 70th anniversary as a country. 

"In addition, judo is the first sport in Israel.

"In every home, there are one or two children participating in judo and all the families will come to see judo, they love judo, and so surely they will be partners during the event."

A total of 396 participants from 41 countries participated in Warsaw.