Great Britain settle for three silvers at European Championships

GREAT Britain were forced to settle for three silvers at the European Championships as all three of their finalists fell at the final hurdle in Moscow.

SUCCESS: Great Britain's boxers return from the European Championships with five medals - the most successful haul for 49 years

Flyweight Khalid Yafai, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday, was beaten 4-1 by Russian Misha Aloyan while featherweight Iain Weaver was downed 7-2 by Germany's Denis Makarov.

And not even lightweight Tom Stalker, who has been in excellent form in Russia, eliminating the current world champion Domenico Valentino along the way, lost 8-4 to experienced Russian Albert Selimov.

But despite failing to reach the top of the podium, the haul of three silver medals, coupled with the bronzes won by Andrew Selby and Gamal Yafai, younger brother of Khalid, ensured Great Britain's most successful European Championships for 49 years.

Yafai in particular, can feel somewhat aggrieved as some suspect judging appeared to work against him - something that did not go unnoticed by British chief Robert McCracken.

He said: "Khalid was clearly the better boxer and I thought Iain could have had better luck too. But the fact is we have come away from the toughest of tournaments with five medals.

"When the disappointment of today is over we'll look back at a great tournament which has proved Great Britain belongs alongside the likes of Russia and Cuba as one of the strongest nations in boxing."