The event began in Istanbul today ©UWW

Georgia and Turkey will be in contention for two Greco-Roman gold medals at the United World Wrestling Under-23 European Championships in Turkey following the conclusion of the semi-finals in Istanbul today.

Nugzari Tsurtsumia progressed to the final of the 55 kilograms category with a 9-0 victory over Norayr Hakhoyan of Turkey.

The Georgian will face Turkey's Ekrem Ozturk for gold after the home wrestler came through his last four encounter 8-0 with Romania's Florin Tita.

Georgia's Zviadi Pataridze will also take on a Turkish opponent for the continental under-23 130kg title as he goes up against Osman Yildirim.

The two wrestlers reached the final in contrasting fashion as Pataridze swept aside Constantin Hutuleac of Romania 8-0 in just 18 seconds in his semi-final encounter.

Yildirim was made to work much harder for his final berth as he was pushed all the way by Oskar Marvik of Norway before he sealed a 5-3 win.

Ivan Huklek of Croatia and Islam Abbasov of Azerbaijan will do battle for the 87kg crown after they beat Belarusian Anton Kurs and Hungary's Darius Vitek respectively.

The 77kg title will be won by either Rajbek Bisultanov of Denmark or Ismail Saidkhasanov of Russia.

Bisultanov beat Turkey's Fatih Cengiz by fall, while Saidkhasanov dispatched Antonio Kamenjasevic of Croatia 7-1.

Mihai Mihut of Romania had earlier denied Georgia another finalist when he ousted Leri Abuladze 9-6 in the 63kg semi-finals.

Mihut's opponent will be Alexandru Biciu of Moldova, who defeated Slavik Galstyan of Armenia via fall.

The finals across all five Greco-Roman categories are due to be held tomorrow.