Akgül secured a hatrick of wins following on from Tbilisi in 2013 and Belgrade in 2012, when he opened up with a pair of takedowns on his Russian opponent Alan Khugaev before trapping him with three tight gut wrenches for a 10-0 triumph at Trio Areena.

The Turk, who won bronze at last year's World Championships, also took gold at the Kazan 2013 Universiade and his opponent in that final, Aleksander Khotsianivski of Ukraine, took bronze in Vantaa along with Hungary's Daniel Ligeti, who overcame London 2012 silver medallist Davit Modzmanashvili of Georgia.

Russian Aniuar Geduev also defended his European title after defeating Azerbaijan's Jabrayil
Hasanov in the final of the men's 74kg class, while Turkey's Soner Demirtas and Krystian Brzozowsk of Poland took home the bronze medals.

Sweden's Sofia Mattsson was the third athlete on the day to successfully retain her European gold after completely dominating Poland's Anna Zwirydowska in the women's 55kg decider, dumping her opponent for two points before a second dump and then a body press for the fall.

Sofia Mattsson was one of three athletes to retain their European title in Finland today ©Getty Images



Mattsson followed the lead of her older sister Johanna, who reclaimed her European title yesterday.

Yarygin Grand Prix bronze medalist Irina Ologonova of Russia had too much for Turkey's Bediha Gun to take bronze, while Bulgarian Mimi Hristova secured the other podium place.

In the women's 69kg category, London 2012 champion and World Championship runner-up Natalia Vorobieva of Russia recovered from being thrown on her back early on by Israeli Ilana Kratysh to secure her maiden European gold with a double-leg and dump to the back to pin her opponent.

Latvian Laura Skujina and Alina Stadnik-Makhynia of Ukraine claimed the bronze medals.

The 2014 European Championships in Vantaa continue through until Sunday (April 6).

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