MADRID -- Russia retained the gold medal in the synchronized duet event at the European Swimming Championships on Sunday while Spain and France again took the silver and bronze.
Reigning continental champions Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Yermakova scored 99.500 points for Russia's third victory at the championship. Spaniards Gemma Mengual and Paola Tirados had 97.600 and France's Virginie Dedieu and Laure Thibaud 96.300.
"Our performance today was great, our coach was happy and said it was incredible. It was our best this season," said Yermakova. "The European Championships is one more step before the Olympics. Today's performance shows we are ready for the Olympics."
The championships, which started Wednesday and finish next Sunday, represent the final chance for many athletes to qualify for the Athens Olympics.
Seven days of swimming races were due to begin Monday and open water events two days later.
On Saturday, the first day of finals at the championships, Russia won golds in the 3-meter women's synchronized diving and the team event in synchronized swimming on Saturday.
It won silver in 10-meter men's synchronized diving and in the solo synchronized category.
In the 3-meter diving, Russian duo Vera Ilyna and Yulia Pakhalina were awarded 337.38 points. Ditte Kotzian and Conny Schmalfuss of Germany scored 302.64 for silver.
In the synchronized team event, the eight-member Russian team scored 99.300 points, Spain was second with 97.900 and Italy third with 96.400.
The championships are being held at the M-86 complex in Madrid and feature 922 athletes from 40 countries.
Reigning continental champions Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Yermakova scored 99.500 points for Russia's third victory at the championship. Spaniards Gemma Mengual and Paola Tirados had 97.600 and France's Virginie Dedieu and Laure Thibaud 96.300.
"Our performance today was great, our coach was happy and said it was incredible. It was our best this season," said Yermakova. "The European Championships is one more step before the Olympics. Today's performance shows we are ready for the Olympics."
The championships, which started Wednesday and finish next Sunday, represent the final chance for many athletes to qualify for the Athens Olympics.
Seven days of swimming races were due to begin Monday and open water events two days later.
On Saturday, the first day of finals at the championships, Russia won golds in the 3-meter women's synchronized diving and the team event in synchronized swimming on Saturday.
It won silver in 10-meter men's synchronized diving and in the solo synchronized category.
In the 3-meter diving, Russian duo Vera Ilyna and Yulia Pakhalina were awarded 337.38 points. Ditte Kotzian and Conny Schmalfuss of Germany scored 302.64 for silver.
In the synchronized team event, the eight-member Russian team scored 99.300 points, Spain was second with 97.900 and Italy third with 96.400.
The championships are being held at the M-86 complex in Madrid and feature 922 athletes from 40 countries.