ISTANBUL, Turkey (June 7) - The Russian pair of Alexandra ANDREEVA (RUS) and Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) reeled in gold medals on the fifth day of competition, helping Russia capture the 2018 U23 European Championships team title.

Alexandra Andreeva outlasted Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), 4-4 to win claim the gold medal at 57kg. 

The Klippan Lady Open and Yarygin bronze medalist scored the only first-period takedown with a knee-tap, taking the 2-1 lead into the second period. 

Andreeva fell behind 3-2 after giving up a double leg in the opening seconds of the final period. With under 90 seconds left, the Russian wrestler shot a low-level double leg and picked up the match-deciding takedown, improving on her second-place finish from the 2016 U23 European Championships.

Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) grabbed Russia's second gold medal with a 10-5 victory in the 65kg finals. (Photo by Martin Gabor) 

Mariia Kuznetsova gave Russia their second gold medal of the evening with her 10-5 performance over Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL) in the final bout at 65kg. 

Kuznetsova surrendered the first takedown of the match, but rebounded with a takedown to a right-sided gut, ending the first period in the lead, 4-2.

The Russian wrestler closed the second period with a takedown and two counter exposures to win the match by five points. 

Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) claimed Turkey's second gold medal with a win at 53kg. (Photo by Martin Gabor)

France, Turkey, and Ukraine also finished the day with a gold medalist. 

Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) claimed Turkey’s second overall gold medal with a 6-5 win over Katsiaryna PICHKOUSKAYA (BLR) in the 53kg title bout. 

Yetgil scored an activity clock point and a step out, taking the two-point lead into the second period. 

Last year’s cadet and junior world bronze medalist faced a two-point deficit after giving up a four-point throw. With 30 second left, Yetgil locked up a takedown and a bow and arrow, securing four points and the 6-5 victory. 

Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) celebrates after winning the 62kg gold medal. (Photo by Martin Gabor) 

Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR), the 2017 U23 world runner-up scored the 12-2 technical superiority victory over Russia’s Tatiana SMOLIAK (RUS) in the 62kg championship bout. 

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) scored a 4-0 shutout win in the 72kg gold-medal match. (Photo by Martin Gabor) 

France’s 2018 European silver medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) picked up the 4-0 shutout win over Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR), claiming the top spot at 72kg. 

Larrouque used an activity clock point, a step out and a second-period takedown to blank Zimiankova. 

TEAM SCORES
GOLD - Russia (161 points)
SILVER - Ukraine (151 points)
BRONZE - Turkey (123 points)
Fourth - Belarus(108 points)
Fifth - Bulgaria (67 points)

RESULTS
53kg
GOLD - Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Katsiaryna PICHKOUSKAYA (BLR), 6-5

BRONZE - Hilary Ysaline HONORINE (FRA) df. Kseniia NEZGOVOROVA (RUS), 3 - 0
BRONZE - Silje Knutsen KIPPERNES (NOR) df. Suzanna Georgiana SEICARIU (ROU), 10-0

57kg (One bronze)
GOLD - Alexandra ANDREEVA (RUS) df. Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), 4-4

BRONZE - Viktoria VILHELM (HUN) df. Darya SINKAVETS (BLR), 4-3

62kg
GOLD - Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) df. Tatiana SMOLIAK (RUS), 12-2

BRONZE - Kathrin MATHIS (AUT) df. Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA), 3-1 BRONZE - Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) df. Luzie MANZKE (GER), 7-2

65kg
GOLD - Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) df. Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL), 10-5

BRONZE - Asli TUGCU (TUR) df. Moa NYGREN (SWE), 3-1

72kg
GOLD - Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR), 4-0

BRONZE - Enrica RINALDI (ITA) df. Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS), 5-0 BRONZE - Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) df. Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU), 11-0