Judoka from The Netherlands, Sweden, and Romania were part of the winning IBSA men's team in Rotterdam ©EPC

A unified International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) team featuring athletes from three countries captured an historic gold despite protests from Turkey on the final day of Para judo competition at the European Para Championships here.

Turkey claimed the women’s team title after defeating Ukraine 3-0 but hopes of a golden double were dashed when IBSA won the men’s team crown.

Officials from Turkey were up in arms over the result after both the Turkish and IBSA teams finished on three wins in the round-robin format.

The winner was determined on the outcome of the match between the two teams, with IBSF triumphing 4-3.

Exchanges between Turkish Judo Federation secretary general Mustafa Bahadir and IBSA Judo charman János Tardos persisted before the medal ceremony took place.

"I am angry as the IBSA team won and my team lost," Bahadir told insidethegames.

"Why is the IBSA team the winner when we have the same points?

"I don’t like this decision.

"He says that this is IJF [International Judo Federation] rules and we will speak again."

The Turkish team thought they had won only for IBSA to be confirmed as the victors ©EPC
The Turkish team thought they had won only for IBSA to be confirmed as the victors ©EPC

The IBSA team was made up of representations from The Netherlands, Sweden, and Romania as they did not have enough judoka to field enter the men's team competition across the six weight categories.

Dutch judoka Daniël Knegt and Sweden’s Oscar Widegren competed for IBSA along with Romanian duo Alex Bologa and Daniel Vargoczki.

Coaches from The Netherlands, Sweden, and Romania came together to receive the trophy before the EPC's official anthem was played.

Turkey had to settle for silver, while France and Georgia both picked up bronze medals.

Tardos said the result was a "big surprise" as no mixed IBSA team had previously captured gold at a major international event.

"It’s an historic victory and not a normal one because in general the Turkish, Georgian and Ukrainian teams are much stronger than the mixed IBSA team," Tardos told insidethegames.

"But this is the challenge of judo.

"Maybe some teams complain about it but I think tomorrow and the day after tomorrow everyone will see the other view.

"We have a very strict rule.

"Firstly, we decide on how many wins.

"Turkey and IBSA both had three wins.

"After that, we look at points scored as an ippon is 10 points,

"In this case, they both had 30 points.

"The third rung on the decision process is the result against each other and IBSA won 4-3 against Turkey."

Turkey, right, defeated Ukraine, left, to win the women's team title ©EPC
Turkey, right, defeated Ukraine, left, to win the women's team title ©EPC

Just two countries entered the women's team competition, with Turkey overcoming Ukraine.

Ecem Tasin Çavdar, Döndü Yeşilyurt, Nazan Akin Güneş, Zeynep Çelik and Merve Uslu steered the Turkish team to glory.

"This medal is so important for my team and in view of the Paralympic Games," said Yeşilyurt.

"This was a good experience for me too."

Wheelchair tennis competition is also in full swing in Rotterdam with the women's singles final determined.

Reigning Paralympic champion and 19-time Grand Slam winner Diede de Groot and Aniek van Koot have guaranteed a medal for The Netherlands after securing their place in the final.

There was no stopping de Groot who defeated Germany’s Katharina Kruger 6-3, 6-0.

She will be joined in the final by two-time Paralympic silver medallist van Koot who overcame Britain’s Lucy Shuker 6-3, 6-1.

Boccia action also continued while the first goalball matches were also played at the Rotterdam Ahoy.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow, including the start of the wheelchair basketball campaign.