KlasH European Elimination Tournament:
When ring announcer Tom Wesselink shouts the now famous “Are you ready for KlasH Champions Battlefield” the approx. 1500 fight fans are clearly excited to see what will happen. Özkan Köse would be excused from the tournament after a back injury just half an hour before the start of the show that would make it impossible for him to enter the ring. Therefore the tournament had to be rescheduled and one fighter would go in the semi final position immediately. Swedish fighter Elias Daniel is the lucky one and gets himself in a very good position to win this tournament indeed.

Arian Vatnikai (ALB) vs Szuc Barnabas (ROE): Both very technical, the fight seems to be a good one with Vatnikai going in with nice boxing combo’s and Barnabas using he’s reach and solid low kicks to make it happen. One of this low kicks are blocked and a 3-4cm gap is opening on the right shin of Barnabas. The doctor decides that it is over for Barna and Vatnikai wins the fight on Medical Intervention in R1.

Richard Barnhill (GB) vs José Reis (POR): Richard Barnhill only contacted 24 hours before was unlucky to draw the favourite Portuguese fighter José Reis. But respect to him as he entered the first round a bit nervous to end the round with a good plan to give Reis a hard time in R2 and that is what he did with fast counters and hard low kicks. Reis had to go to work and did, half way the round. One little mistake from Barnhill was enough for the Portuguese to make it happen. A right hook caught him and Barnhill was down for an 8 count and did not recover well enough to continue. Reis winner on TKO R2. Big thumps up to Richard Barnhill in the end that showed a lot of hart. Hope to see this fighter again very soon in the major leagues.

Ollie Koch (GER) vs Bakar Barakat(SYR) : A slugfest was expected, a slugfest was given. First round Koch is pressuring Barakat full time. Nice hard punch/kick combinations that forces Barakat to counter. Round two it’s the other way around but Koch is taking over every attack of the Syrian fighter. Both in trouble at some point it’s Barakat looking for a bomb to land. Round three Koch seems to be the man that is doing the damage but it’s Koch that gets caught by a left hand and has to take an 8 count. A slugfest till the bell, it is expected to see another extra round in this one but the judges seen enough and give the win to Barakat.

KlasH Semi Final:
Arian Vatnikai (ALB) vs José Reis (POR): At this point in the tournament Reis is even more in favourite spot but Vatnikai is not impressed at all. Vatnikai is showing us a great display of skills and Reis will have to step up a gear to get the job done. Round two Reis is doing that but again it’s Vatnikai who stays very sharp. Counters are precise and Reis seems to be using a lot of energy in the round. Reis now behind on the scorecards needs a great round to still be able to win and that is what happens. Great combinations of Reis forces Vatnikai in double guard position. End of the round Vatnikai is getting back in there but has to give this round to Reis. Waiting for the result we see that Reis is not very happy with he’s persformance and Vatnikai is on he’s knees to take the win on points.

Elias Daniel (SWE) vs Bakar Barakat (SYR): Barakat allready had to give a lot in the previous fight. Daniel & team are well aware of that and a man with a plan is in the ring to face Barakat. Barakat is trying hard to get the Swedish fighter of balance but Daniel sticks to the plan and is scoring knee after knee. Round two Barakat wants it very bad and try to force Daniel in to a brawl but again it’s Daniel that is scoring with hard knees. R3 it’s all of that and more but Daniel seems to make just one mistake halfway the round and is caught with a right hook. Barakat tries to finish the job but Daniel is keeping he’s cool and takes the win unanimous.

KlasH Final
Arian Vatnikai (ALB) vs Elias Daniel (SWE): Who would have taught to see Vatnikai vs Daniel in the final? Vatnikai is the man that shocked everybody and again in this final he’s fighting like he’s in the major leagues for years. Daniel tries again to get those knees in but the Albanian fighter just is one step ahead in every action. Daniel is landing hard middle kicks but Vatnikai is on a cloud now and nothing seems to stop him from winning this final. R2 Daniel again is landing hard middle kicks but the work rate that Vatnikai is delivering in this round makes the difference. R3 Vatnikai is stepping one gear up and Daniel caught by a well timed punch to the body that drop him for an 8 count. Not recovering well and 1 min. to go it’s the Albanian outsider that will finish the fight as a winner showing some great stuff. A very well deserved win for this young prospect that shocked everybody.

Now he will advance to the KlasH Final 8 man Tournemant that will be held in Zutphen at Beast of The East, 24 january 2009. Will he be able to create another surprise we will see but one thing is clear, Arian Vatnikai will be a name that we will remember from now on.

_{The Germany KlasH European Elimination will be showed on Prima TV on Friday. Later Eurosport will show the tournament in Fightclub.}