Italian boxer Valentina Alberti has said that she used her brain and heart to book her place in the final of the women's light-welterweight division at the European Games in Baku.
The 21-year-old beat Poland's Aneta Rygielska by a unanimous points decision, setting up a meeting with Russia's Anastasiia Beliakova in tomorrow's gold-medal bout.
She told reporters: "I think because I used my brain in every round and my heart and my legs, that's it.
"I think it's because we have strong teachers, Simona Grassi and Laura Tosti, who have a long, long experience in this sport. Laura Tosti was a boxer. And the men's team are doing well too.
"I will try to win the final tomorrow and then I will try to understand my life. As for the Olympics in Rio there isn't a 64kg category so I don't know my future. Up? 75kg, no I don't think it's possible. If they say I can go to the Olympics I would even do 51kg."
Italy are currently eighth in the medal table, having won seven golds, 12 silvers and six bronzes.
Sian Cowper
