Kiril Afanasev had to settle for a top eight finish at the EU Championships in Valladolid, Spain today.
The Dublin heavy was beaten on a unanimous decision by Croatia Toni Filipi over three, three minute rounds.
Afanasev enjoyed a good opening stanza. Settling in behind his jab, he had the World Series of Boxing athlete in trouble on the ropes near the end of the first, although the Croat responded well in the final 15 seconds of the frame.
The Irish champion took a standing count from a short right hook in the second and Filipi won the third to guarantee himself at least bronze.
Antrim’s Kurt Walker and Laois’ Michael Nevin box tomorrow versus Poland and England.
Friday is a rest day at the tournament. The semi-finals, which will feature Galway’s Kieran Molloy, and finals will be decided Saturday and Sunday.
EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain
November 9
Prelims (Last 16)
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4
November 10
Prelims (last 16)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1
November 11th
Prelims (last 16)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0
November 12
Prelims (last 16)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stepan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0
November 13
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galogot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy) 3-1
November 14
Q/Finals
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Toni Filipi (Croatia) 0-5
November 15
Q/Finals
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Carl Fail (England)
November 17
S/Finals
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) V Pat McCormack (England)
Irish squad
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC) (Bronze, at least)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC) Cpt
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck
Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey
Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor
Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin
Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin- R&J