GB taekwondo team in Rome

Great Britain took eight fighters to the European Championships. Liverpool's Martin Stamper (above) was fighting in the -62kg category

Of the three Brits to have qualified Olympic places for the team, only Tyrone Robinson was competing at the Piazzale dello Sport arena

At the European Championships, you have to win five matches to make a final, so endurance is essential. Stamper takes a breather as he prepares for his first match

The 21-year-old has come a long way since starting the sport aged six and obtaining his black belt at 13. He takes a couple of minutes to soak up the atmosphere before his fight

Electronic point-scoring equipment was being used for the first time at a major championships. Stamper is fitted with the new gear

Ex-Olympian Paul Green is one of the British coaches, and he looks on as Stamper starts fighting his opponent from the Netherlands

A fight consists of three rounds of two minutes, with a minute's break. Stamper starts well and takes the lead with a scoring turning kick

Time for some words of wisdom from coach Green as Stamper prepares for the final round

With just three seconds left, the scores are level at 5-5 and Stamper pulls a great move out of the bag. It's a score which seals a stunning 6-5 victory

He performs well all day, but loses 4-0 in the final to German Levent Tuncat. He celebrates with the support team (from the left) coach Steve Jennings, Stamper, coach Green and physio David Joyce

Added to Stamper's silver (right), Caroline Fisher wins silver (-51kg), and Louise Mair (-47kg) and Robinson (-58kg) win bronze - it's Britain's largest ever medal haul at a senior European Championships

Stamper said: "When you lose a Europeans final you are always going to be wondering what might have been. I take some comfort from the fact I fought really well and am still very proud of my silver medal."

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