Boxing: Ireland’s Katie Taylor has, for the fifth successive time, fought her way into a European Championship final.
Following a convincing victory over Helena Falk in Rotterdam the Irish champion and London 2012 hopeful is just one win away from winning her fifth European gold medal.
Taylor, who is also the current AIBA World champion and who has twice won World Boxer of the Year, beat the Swedish lightweight 25-11 over four, two minute rounds on Friday afternoon.
She will now meet Russia's Sofya Ochigava, the 2006 World bantamweight (54Kg) champion, in Saturday's 60Kg final.Ochigava, who has moved up a weight division to lightweight, comfortably beat Bulgaria's Denista Eliseeva in the corresponding semi-final.
The win over Falk was Taylor's fourth in five days at the Championships and it means she will leave Rotterdam with a silver medal at worst.
"Katie gave a very good display today. She went out to enjoy herself in the last round, but she didn't leave anything for chance and she put in her punches as well," said Irish team manager Anna Moore.
Saturday's finals begin at 6pm (Irish time).
60Kg: Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Helena Falk (Sweden) 25-11
60Kg Final:Katie Taylor (Ireland ) v Sofya Ochigava (Russia)