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| Photo by UEG (European Union of Gymnastics) |
This final made me go mental because it was the most exciting of these Championships and the saddest at the same time.
It was the most exciting because every athlete truly gave her best and one of the most beautiful gymnasts in the entire world won.
It was the saddest because every Italian fan believed in that medal for Erika. She believed in that medal. But sometimes gymnastics deceives you. Erika is a very mature person, though, and she knows disappointments are only a new start in order to achieve bigger successes. She is working so well and so hard, I know she is going to accomplish everything she wants. But I'll talk about that in a specific article!
Analysis of the routines
1. Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS) - Gold
Ksenia is back.
For me, she is the only, actual interpreter of the Russian elegance on floor. Her double layout is to die for, her turns are gorgeous, and she perfectly combines difficulty and grace. And the most impressive thing about this routine is that she can do even better than that.
2. Claudia Fragapane (GBR) - Silver
Last year I fell in love with her floor routine for the music choice, the unique coreography and the powerful tumbling. This year I didn't like her exercise that much, but it's growing on me and this routine partially changed my mind. Claudia is slowly taking confidence competing whis new and difficult routine, and when she hits, she does it well. There are still mistakes on the execution side, but she is constantly improving. Well done!
3. Giulia Steingruber (SUI) - Bronze
Her music is probably my favourite floor music ever. Coreography perfectly fits her, and the height she reaches with her Chusovitina is amazing. With this routine my beloved Giulia confirmed last year's bronze. What a way to end up these highly successful Championships!
4. Erika Fasana (ITA)
Our Erika really shined perfoming this routine in that gorgeous leotard. Her stuck Silivas simply gives me life. Beautiful routine!
Sure, she still has to work on her Chusovitina, but let's remember she does two H elements in a row! Such a pity she didn't complete her Memmel, without that mistake she would have won the bronze medal. But it doesn't matter, there will be many other opportunities!
Congratulations Erika, you made Italy proud. Once again. <3
5. Marta Pihan-Kulesza (POL)
Nice and catchy routine for Polish star Marta Pihan, who conquered a European final at 27! I really like how the music fits her and her maturity.
6. Amy Tinkler (GBR)
This British new senior showed pretty difficult saltos in her routine. She still has to work on the execution, but she definitely represents the future of her country.
7. Maria Kharenkova (RUS)
This routine is the symbol of this gymnast's growth in only one year. I still can't figure out how a tiny girl like her can have the power to executes floor, but the fact she was in this final and she had a 5.8 start value shows how hard she has worked in the last year. Nice coreography and music and legs glued together on the arabian linked to the stag jump.
8. Andreea Munteanu (ROU)
She's the only Romanian gymnast that qualified for event finals (and won one of them). Andreea has "mentally" grown up in the last year. She doesn't have the highest difficulty, but her elements are quite clean and she is very determined in everything she does. Let's remember she wasn't even chosen for these Europeans at first!
Results
Score
|
D score
|
E score
| |||
1
|
Ksenia AFANASEVA
|
RUS
|
14.733
|
6.3
|
8.433
|
2
|
Claudia FRAGAPANE
|
GBR
|
14.633
|
6.3
|
8.333
|
3
|
Giulia STEINGRUBER
|
SUI
|
14.466
|
6.0
|
8.466
|
4
|
Erika FASANA
|
ITA
|
14.300
|
6.0
|
8.300
|
5
|
Marta PIHAN-KULESZA
|
POL
|
14.233
|
6.0
|
8.233
|
6
|
Amy TINKLER
|
GBR
|
14.000
|
5.9
|
8.100
|
7
|
Maria KHARENKOVA
|
RUS
|
13.933
|
5.8
|
8.233 -0.1
|
8
|
Andreea Eugenia MUNTEANU
|
ROU
|
13.866
|
5.5
|
8.366
|
- Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos. All the photos belong to UEG (European Union of Gymnastics).
- Costanza Spagnolo -