Kayaalp was level with wrestling legend Aleksandr Karelin, a 12-time European champion seeking a record 13th title in Bucharest, but he had a tough opponent. Two-time Olympic bronze medallist and 2018 World Champion Semenov, who was seeking his first European title. 

The 34-year-old Kayaalp put in a strong performance and led 2-0 with an activity point and a step out point, but Semenov managed to throw his opponent for four points with a waist lock and pinned Kayaalp to win by fall. The Turkish wrestler was in tears as Semenov celebrated his first European gold. Azerbaijan's Beka Kandelaki and Italy's Danila Sotnikov took bronze.

Another hero of the day was Armenia's Malkhas Amoyan. The 25-year-old won his third European title in Bucharest. He gave his opponent Yunus Basar of Turkey no chance in the final, winning 7-0. The bronze medals went to Iuri Lomadze (Georgia) and Adlet Tiuliubaev (AIN).

Serbia's Aleksandar Komarov had an amazing championship. He swept aside Olympic champion Zhan Beleniuk of Ukraine and former European champion Islam Abbasov of Azerbaijan on his way to the final, where he defeated World champion Ali Cengiz of Turkey. The former Russian added the senior title to his cadet, junior and under-23 titles. Bronze medals went to Beleniuk and Kiryl Maskevich (AIN).

Moldova's Artium Deleanu and Azerbaijan's Murad Mammadov won gold medals in the non-Olympic weight categories. Deleanu defeated Rashad Mammadov of Azerbaijan in the 55kg final. 

Bronze medals went to Manvel Khachatryan and Nugzari Tsurtsumia of Georgia. Murad Mammadov won the 63 kg final after a close contest with Ukraine's Oleksandr Hrushyn. Bulgaria's Edmond Nazaryan and Anvar Alakhiarov (AIN) shared third place.