Katie Taylor to open European title defence on Sunday

Olympic champion Katie Taylor will open her quest for a sixth consecutive European title in Bucharest, Romania, on Sunday.

The Bray woman’s opening bout, which was confirmed this afternoon, will face Switzerland’s Sandra Brugger in a repeat of the 2007 European final.

Russia’s Sofya Ochigava, who Taylor beat in the 2011 and 2012 European, World and Olympic finals, beat Maria Jassen of the Netherlands in the preliminaries today.

Michaela Walsh, another of a five-strong Irish team in Romania, will also be in action tomorrow, against Helina Bruyevigh of Belarus in the 54kg division.

European Women’s Championships Bucharest, Romania.

June 1st 54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Helina Bruyevigh (Belarus) (last 32)

60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) v Sandra Brugger (Switzerland) (last 16)

June 2nd, Last 8 (1/4 final)

69kg Claire Grace (Ireland) v Kara Guluzar (Turkey)

June 3rd, Last 16

51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Nur Caskun (Turkey)

57kg Joanne Lambe (Ireland) v Marija Petric (Croatia)

Irish Squad European Women’s Championships Bucharest, Romania

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)

54kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family GG)

57kg Joanne Lambe (Carrickmacross)

60kg Katie Taylor (Bray)

69kg Claire Grace (Callan)