Burton strikes bronze for Britain at European Judo

EUAN Burton admitted his relief, rather than delight, after winning a third career bronze at the European Judo Championships in Vienna.

PODIUM PLACE: Euan Burton claimed a third career bronze at the European Judo Championships in Austria (Getty Images)

Scot Burton defeated France's Antoine Jeannin to win Great Britain's first medal in the -81kg classification - although later admitted his disappointment as Russia's Sirazhudin Magomedov went on to claim gold.

"Having come into the tournament to win and be European champion it is disappointing not to be that," said Burton, who has won gold and silver at recent events in Tokyo and Germany. 

"I am more relieved than delighted to get the bronze. 

"I felt so good coming into the tournament. I was in good condition and felt strong all the way through.  

"Going into the bronze medal fight I just didn't want to give him a chance.  

"Fighting against the French is always going to be tough and never easy. They are strong, technically sound and well prepared so I just had to go out hard".

British coach Patrick Roux backed Burton to upgrade his third in future events while, elsewhere, Daniel Williams and Faith Pitman were both seventh in their events, the men's -71kg and women's -63kg.