Damar Thomas reached the super-heavyweight final as GB secured five medals at the European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.

Thomas won his 90+kg semi-final against Azerbaijan’s highly experienced Mahammad Abdullayev. The Londoner dominated all three rounds to win a unanimous decision.

Russia has returned to World Boxing competition and Thomas is due to box a Russian, David Surov, in Friday’s final.

“Absolutely great. I’m just becoming who I thought I’d become and it would be great to win this,” Thomas said.

“It’s like a to-do list. I managed to tick off the Commonwealths and now the Europeans. And hopefully I can tick off Olympic gold as well.”

Paris Olympian Chantelle Reid has also reached the final after beating Serbia’s Milena Matovic in a fiercely contested bout.

The Serbian took a 3-2 lead at the end of the first round, but Reid responded with a 5-0 second round before edging the third to seal a 3-2 victory and reach the light-middleweight final.

She will face Turkish amateur boxing star Busenaz Surmeneli in the gold medal match.

“I was behind after the first round, but I just listened to my coaches, stuck to the game plan and got over the line,” Reid said.

“Each bout has got better and so has the opponent. I’ll be boxing one of the very best at my weight on Friday and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’d mean the world to me to win gold.”

Dimeji Shittu (80kg), Callum Makin (75kg) and Abdul Burton (55kg) join them as GB boxers who have guaranteed themselves medals in Europe.

The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United have made Antonio Conte their top target to replace Michael Carrick as manager, claim sensational reports in Italy – The Sun

Manchester United saved £8.5m when Ruben Amorim took over as head coach of AC Milan, the club’s latest financial results have revealed – Daily Mail

Former Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has spoken out for the first time after his £60m move to the Saudi Pro League – and admitted the money was a big lure – Daily Star

Academy star Mishel Nduka has left Arsenal after just one year to join Manchester City – talkSPORT

Eric Cantona says he would not have signed for Manchester United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership – The Telegraph

Manchester United are flogging tiny chunks of turf from the Old Trafford pitch for £125 each – The Sun

EFL

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert deserves a “severe” punishment from the FA for the Spygate scandal, according to Cambridge United boss Neil Harris – Daily Mirror

Dele Alli has been spotted training at League Two side Barnet’s facilities as he looks to maintain his fitness while searching for a new club – Daily Express

SCOTLAND

Rangers star Nicolas Raskin admits he was gutted to miss out on a big-money summer move – Daily Record

Stiliyan Petrov has urged the Celtic board to give Martin O’Neill proper help in the shape of a new director of football – The Scottish Sun

Hibs have held positive talks with Marink Reedijk – Daily Record

Scotland new boy Luis Binks believes Sebastien Pocognoli’s refresher course in Spain will have the revamped national team ready to face their first big test in Slovenia – Daily Record

EUROPE

Harry Kane has mapped out his three-point career plan – and plans to finish in the NFL – Daily Mirror

Christian Eriksen has left German club Wolfsburg to return to Denmark with his family as uncertainty clouds his career following his second on-field collapse – Daily Mail

Former Premier League midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye and Lucas Leiva have become the latest athletes to invest in Le Mans FC – talkSPORT

INTERNATIONAL

Jarrad Branthwaite has credited a “complex” rehabilitation programme in Germany, which analysed links between his injuries and his brain and movement, with his return to the England squad – The Guardian

Rio Ngumoha has his sights set on starring at Euro 2028 – talkSPORT

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly introduced four rules for Germany stars as the former Liverpool boss seeks to turn around the fortunes of their national team – Daily Mail

Gary Lineker refused to work for FIFA after being asked to meet Vladimir Putin while hosting the 2018 World Cup draw in Russia – The Telegraph

Erling Haaland’s influence reached new heights during the World Cup – it has even caused a surge in carrot sales in Norway – talkSPORT