The country’s captain Enes Erkan made it through to the title-deciding bout of the men’s kumite over 84 kilograms category after taking use of an early yuko to defeat Hungary’s Daniel Molnar and set up a clash with Italy’s Simone Marino.

"I am so proud to be in the final," the 29-year-old, a two-time European champion, said.

"I am really happy right now, and I just want to be European champion again.

"Winning here is great, this is my home and I am very happy."

Other men’s kumite categories with Turkish representation in the final are the under 84kg with Ugur Aktas and the under 67kg with Burak Uygur.

Aktas defeated Germany’s Noah Bitsch in the last four and will take on Macedonia’s Berat Yakupi for the gold medal.

Uygur, meanwhile, demonstrated his progression by beating front-runner Yves Martial Tadissi of Hungary to reach the final.

The 2015 world junior, cadet and under-21 champion is due to clash with Russia’s Alexandra Gutnik.

In women’s kumite competition, Tuba Yakan continued an exceptional day for the Turkish delegation by qualifying for the final of the under 55kg category.

The 25-year-old shocked rivals and beat Ukraine's Anzhelika Terliuga by a split decision.

Standing between her and the gold medal is defending European champion and former world title-holder Sara Cardin of Italy.

Cardin defeated current world champion Emilie Thouy of France in the semi-finals and will now fight for her fourth European title.

Meltem Hocaoglu will also represent Turkey in a final after reaching the women’s kumite over 68kg gold medal match.  

The 25-year-old beat Ukraine’s Anastasiya Stepashko in the decisive bout and will go onto face France’s defending European champion Anne Laure Florentin, who overcame Slovakia’s Dominika Tatarova in the penultimate round.

Spain showed their strength in the kata competitions with Damian Quintero making it through to his sixth consecutive men’s final and Sandra Sanchez reaching the women’s final.

Quintero, a four-time European champion, beat Azerbaijan’s Roman Heydarov by split decision and will have Turkey’s Ali Sofouglu as a rival in the bout for the title. 

Sanchez, a two-time European champion, defeated home competitor Dilara Bozan to reach her third consecutive European Championships final, where she will clash for gold against Italy’s Viviana Bottaro.

World silver medallist Lucie Ignace of France reached the final of women’s kumite under 61kg category after beating Anita Serogina of Ukraine in the semi-finals.

The defending European champion will have a shot at gold against Serbia’s Jovana Prekovic, who beat local karateka Merve Coban.

The final of women’s kumite under 68kg category will see two of the top competitors battle for gold with reigning world champion Alisa Buchinger of Austria going up against 2014 world champion Alizee Agier of France.

In the men’s kumite under 60kg gold medal match, 2012 runner-up Kalvis Kalnins of Latvia will meet first-time finalist Marko Antic of Serbia.

The one other final decided today, that in the men’s kumite under 75kg category, pits Italy’s Luigi Busa against Ukraine’s Stanislav Horuna in a repeat of the 2014 gold medal match.

Victory for Busa three years ago earned him his fourth European crown having also triumphed in 2007 and 2012.

Action in Kocaeli is due to continue tomorrow, when the finalists of the team categories will be determined.

The finals and bronze medal matches are scheduled for Saturday (May 6) and Sunday (May 7).