But Michael Nevin bowed out after being on the wrong end of a unanimous decision after a close middleweight bout with Victor Corrapcevschi of Moldova.Quinn got Ireland off to a winning start in the open bout of the tournament on a split verdict over Hungarian flyweight Virban Gabor.
Afanasev, in action in the last bout of the afternoon, dispensed with the need for points after flooring Slovakia’s Gregor Skranec twice late in the second round en toute to a stoppage.
The Dublin heavyweight will be back in action tomorrow versus England’s Cheavon Clarke.
Kellie Harrington, Ceire Smith, Michaela Walsh, Aoife O’Rourke, Wayne Kelly and Kieran Molloy are also between the ropes on Thursday.
European champion Joe Ward, who received a bye into the semi-finals, meets Sammy Lee of Wales for a place in the finals on Friday.(Image, Dean Gardiner and Aoife O’Rourke at opening ceremony)
Nicolae Linca Elite Golden Belt Galati, Romania September 25/30
September 26
Q/Finals
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) beat Virban Gabor (Hungary) 4-1
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Victor Corrapcevschi (Moldova) 0-5
Last 16
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Gregor Skranec (Slovenia) RSC2
September 27
S/Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Claudia Nechita (Romania)
56kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Andeal Brankovic (Serbia)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Jelena Jelic (Serbia)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Stefania Balca (Romania)
Q/Finals
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Ddrian Thidn (Spain)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Marian Pita (Romania)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Cheavon Clarke (England)
September 28
S/Finals
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) v Galal Yafai (England)
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Bayan Asenov (Bulgaria)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Sammy Lee (Wales)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) v Mihai Nistor (Romania)
September 29
Final
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Maria Borei (Romania)
Irish squad
Male
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)
91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)
Female
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan/Virginia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monktown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Marys)
69kg Gráinne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)
Coaches
Zauri Antia
John Conlan
Tom Murray
Team Manager
Eugene O’Kane
Physio
Séamus Caffrey
R&J
Loughlin Gannon