Sports Round-Up: Medals and More
The Estonian women's fencing team was victorious at the European Championships on Friday, beating Romania in the final.
The team, consisting of Irina Embrich, Kristina Kuusk, Erika Kirpu and Julia Beljajeva beat France 43:34 in the opening round of the tournament in Croatia.
Estonia needed luck to defeat Russia in the quarter-finals, only winning in extra time, 32:31.
Italy was sent home next, with Estonia claiming a 44:39 win before Embrich bought the team back twice from a losing position to win 27:20 in the final.
Though Estonian female teams d'Artagnans and Zorros had previously taken silver and bronze at World and European championships, Friday's was the first gold medal win.
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The nation's quadruple sculls rowing team picked up a bronze medal at a World Cup stage in England on Sunday.
The new-look team of Kaur Kuslap, Allar Raja, Sten-Erik Anderson and Kaspar Taimsoo was beaten by Croatia and Germany, but finished ahead of Australia, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Only a few weeks ago, the Estonian Rowing Association left Andrei Jämsä out of team, prompting Tõnu Endrekson to resign.
The stay-away pair had won a number of medals, including two European Championship titles, with Endrekson picking up Olympic silver in the doubles event with Jüri Jaanson in the 2008 games.
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The Estonian athletics team narrowly staved off relegation from the 1st League of the European Athletics Team Championships, coming in 10th, the last safe place.
Grit Šadeiko won the women's long jump, while Gert Kanter claimed second place in the discus event to hand the team enough points to make the cut.
The Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands were all promoted to the Super League, while Bulgaria and Switzerland will be in the 2nd League next time.
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Cyclist Rein Taaramäe claimed the Estonian men's road race title on Saturday.
The win means Taaramäe will be able to compete in a blue, black and white jersey at the Tour de France, which begins on June 29.
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Estonian football clubs participated in the Europa League and Champions League draws on Monday.
FC Levadia will face Bala Town of Wales, FC Flora takes on Albanian side FK Kukes and Narva Trans will face Gefle IF of Sweden in the Europa League qualifying round. Games will take place on July 4 and 11.
Estonian champion Nõmme Kalju will take on Finnish champions HJK Helsinki in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Those games will be held in mid- and late July.