The 25-year-old wrestler has been dogged by knee problems in recent years but put all that frustration behind her to reclaim the European crown she last won in Vilnius in 2009.

Mattsson, who took World Championship bronze in 2010, defeated 2013 junior world champion Svetlana Lipatova of Russia and World Championship silver medallist Taybe Yusein of Bulgaria on her way to the final.

In the decider, Mattsson showed her class by grabbing Sahin in a front headlock and securing the fall to take the title.

"I didn't know any of these wrestlers before today, so I was a little nervous," admitted Mattsson afterwards.

"But, Fari [coach Fariborz Besarati] made some suggestions and I was relaxed and patient."

Bronze medals went to Olga Butkevich of Great Britain and Yusein.

In the women's 53kg final, Russian Maria Gurova was one of three athletes to secure a first European crown on the day.

Trailing with 50 seconds to go, Gurova pinned Greek Maria Prevolaraki with a double-leg lift and drop to the back for four points and the win.

Moldovan Natalia Budu and Romania's Ana Marie Paval took home the bronze medals.

Maria Gurova was one of three new European champions crowned in Vantaa today ©AFP/Getty Images



On the men's side, the impressive Vladimir Khinchegashvili of Georgia romped to a 5-1 points win in the final of the 57kg category.

Khinchegashvili scored with a single-leg attack and drop to the back to overcome Moldovan Ghenadi Tulbea, who is a two-time European champion and now represents Monaco.

A late penalty point on Yarygin Grand Prix champion Rustam Ampar of Russia handed bronze to Frenchman Zoheir El Ouarrage, while the other bronze went to Armenia's Garik Barseghyan.

Performance of the day went to Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev, who came out on top against reigning world champion Bekhan Goygereev of Russia in the men's 61kg class.

A superb manoeuvre ending with a clean double-leg sweep saw Aliev take the gold on a score of 12-5.

Bronze medals went to Moldova's Andrei Perpelita and Ukrainian Vasyl Shuptar.

The action in Vantaa continues through until Sunday (April 6).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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