Gennaro Pirelli has secured his place in the men’s -100kg judo final at the 2026 European Judo Championships, setting up a highly anticipated showdown for gold against Catharina in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Italian judoka earned his spot through a series of decisive victories, positioning himself as a top contender for the continental title in one of the sport’s most competitive weight classes.
The final is scheduled to seize place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Olympic Palace in Tbilisi. According to the official European Judo Union (EJU) competition schedule released in March 2026, the -100kg men’s final is set to commence at 18:30 local Georgia Time (GET), which corresponds to 15:30 UTC. This timing allows for prime-time viewing across much of Europe even as accommodating global audiences through digital platforms.
For viewers wondering where to watch the Pirelli-Catharina judo final live, the European Judo Union has confirmed exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 Championships are held by Eurovision Sport across its member territories. In Italy, Rai Sport will provide live coverage of the final on both Rai 2 television channel and its streaming platform RaiPlay, with pre-match analysis beginning at 18:00 GET. In the United Kingdom, the BBC will broadcast the event live on BBC Two and stream it via BBC iPlayer, while in Germany, ARD and ZDF will share coverage through their respective sport platforms.
Outside of Europe, fans can access the judo final through the Olympic Channel’s global streaming service, which has secured rights for territories outside the European Broadcasting Union zone. The Olympic Channel will offer live streaming in English via its website and mobile apps, with commentary starting 15 minutes before the scheduled bout time. The EJU’s official YouTube channel will provide a free live stream of the final for regions where broadcasting rights have not been sold, subject to geo-restrictions based on local agreements.
The path to the final for Pirelli has been marked by consistent performance throughout the tournament. The 27-year-old from Naples opened his campaign with a dominant ippon victory over Portugal’s João Fernando in the round of 32, followed by a waza-ari win against Hungary’s Krisztián Tóth in the last 16. In the quarterfinals, Pirelli secured a decisive victory over Olympic bronze medalist Michael Korrel of the Netherlands, demonstrating his ability to compete against elite opposition. His semifinal clash against Georgia’s home favorite Lasha Bekauri proved to be his toughest test, with Pirelli prevailing by a narrow yuko score after golden score overtime, sending the Tbilisi crowd into stunned silence before securing his place in the final.
Catharina, Pirelli’s opponent in the gold medal match, arrives at the final having demonstrated exceptional form throughout the competition. The Belgian judoka, ranked third in the world in the -100kg division by the International Judo Federation (IJF) as of April 2026, has won all her matches by ippon, including victories over reigning world champion Aaron Wolf of Japan in the quarterfinals and Olympic champion Toma Nikiforov of Bulgaria in the semifinals. Her aggressive gripping style and powerful seoi-nage technique have been defining features of her tournament run.
For those seeking to understand the significance of this match, a Pirelli victory would mark Italy’s first European judo gold medal in the men’s -100kg category since Fabio Basile’s triumph in 2018, and only the nation’s second-ever medal in the weight class at the European Championships. Pirelli currently holds a bronze medal from the 2024 European Championships in Zagreb, making this final an opportunity to upgrade his continental podium finish. A win would also significantly boost his Olympic qualification prospects for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where he is already considered a medal contender by national team coaches.
The tactical battle between the two finalists promises to be intriguing. Pirelli is known for his exceptional ne-waza (ground game) and patience in waiting for counter-attacking opportunities, often allowing opponents to initiate offense before capitalizing on mistakes with his signature osaekomi-waza (holding techniques). Catharina, by contrast, favors an aggressive tachi-waza (standing game) approach, seeking to end matches quickly with explosive throws. Judoka analysts note that whoever establishes their preferred fighting distance early in the match will likely gain the psychological edge.
Venue conditions at the Olympic Palace in Tbilisi are expected to be optimal for competition, with the facility maintaining strict temperature and humidity controls suitable for judo. The arena, which hosted the 2015 World Judo Championships, has a competition area that meets all IJF specifications, including the required 8×8 meter contest zone surrounded by a 3-meter safety area. Attendance for the final is expected to be near capacity, particularly given Bekauri’s semifinal exit, which may have shifted some local support toward Pirelli as the remaining non-Georgian finalist.
Following the conclusion of the -100kg men’s final, the medal ceremony will take place immediately on the competition mat, adhering to standard EJU protocol. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be presented by EJU President Sergey Soloveychik, accompanied by representatives from the Georgian Judo Federation. The entire finals block, including all weight category medal matches, is scheduled to conclude by approximately 21:00 GET (18:00 UTC), allowing for timely broadcast wrap-up across partner networks.
For viewers interested in additional coverage beyond the final itself, the EJU has confirmed that all preliminary rounds and repechage bouts from the -100kg division will be available on-demand via the Olympic Channel’s platform following live broadcast. Detailed statistics, including grip fighting efficiency, attack attempts, and penalty breakdowns, will be published on the EJU’s official website within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion, providing deeper analytical context for enthusiasts and coaches alike.
As the judo community turns its focus to this pivotal encounter, the Pirelli-Catharina final represents more than just a continental title match — it’s a clash of contrasting styles, generations, and judo philosophies that could define the trajectory of the -100kg division heading toward the next Olympic cycle. Whether you’re a dedicated judo follower or a casual sports fan tuning in for a major championship finale, the stage is set for a memorable conclusion to the 2026 European Judo Championships in Tbilisi.
The next confirmed checkpoint following the Pirelli-Catharina judo final is the official publication of complete tournament results and athlete rankings by the European Judo Union, expected no later than May 19, 2026. Fans wishing to stay updated on Pirelli’s journey toward the 2028 Olympics can follow the Italian Judo Federation’s official channels for announcements regarding upcoming World Cup events and continental qualifiers.
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