Boxing/ European Women's Championships: Katie Taylor's continued her relentless drive towards a third European title in a row yesterday when a convincing victory over Yana Zavyalova put her into tomorrow's 60kg final at the European Women's Championships in Vejle, Denmark.

Taylor, the reigning World and European champion, beat the Ukrainian southpaw 11-4 and will now meet Switzerland's Sandra Brugger in tomorrow's decider.

Taylor (21) was always in control of yesterday's semi-final, opening up a 4-0 lead at the bell for the end of the first before consolidating her position with a sound defensive strategy in the second which saw her lead extended to 6-1.

Zavyalova, ranked 11th in the world and eighth in Europe, managed to rack up three points in the third and final round but Taylor added five to her total to record a deserved victory.

Brugger, meanwhile, edged out Russia's Ayzanat Gadzhieva 8-6 in the other semi-final. The Swiss puncher lost out to Taylor last summer when both women met in a challenge match in Taylor's home town of Bray.

But according to Taylor's father and coach Peter, the previous victory over Brugger is in the past, and Saturday's clash will be much more intense.

He said: "We are delighted with the win. I knew it was never going to be easy as the Ukrainian girl is a very awkward southpaw who was always going to make life difficult.

"The first round was the key round and once Katie went ahead in that she never looked back."

"Katie is familiar with Brugger and she beat her just a few months ago on a unanimous decision. But Saturday's bout is for a European gold and we are expecting a very intense and tough fight."

Taylor, who is part of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association's High Performance Unit, has a well-deserved break today before tomorrow's big showdown.