Roma 2022: Great Britain and Germany claim diving titles

Great Britain and Italy maintained their medal-winning runs at the European Aquatic Championships with further podium success on the third day of diving at Roma 2022. Ukraine also continue to impress, while Germany claimed their first gold of the event.

WOMEN’S 10M PLATFORM FINAL:

Britain’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix topped the standings in the preliminaries but made a slow start in the final, finding herself in sixth after the opening round.

The 17-year-old, who won this event while representing England at the Commonwealth Games less than two weeks ago, began battling back though and was in second heading into the final round. Sofia Lyskun, a mixed synchronised silver medallists on Tuesday, led after three strong dives and one moderately scoring routine - just 2.50 points separated the pair though. The Ukrainian delivered her best dive of the day, scoring 70.50, but would it be enough for gold. In short, no. Spendolini-Sirieix, also saved her greatest performance for the conclusion of this event. 76.80 gave her a total of 333.60 and victory by 3.80 from Lyskun.

Christina Wassen, a two-time European bronze medallists in synchronised events, secured her first individual honour after a consistently strong display which was awarded a combined score of 314.10 from the five rounds.

“My heart was hurting a lot, I just gave it my all and I’m so please with that,” Spendolini-Sirieix told LEN TV.

MIXED SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD FINAL:

Italian Chiara Pellacani was looking for a third medal in as many days following Team Event gold and a bronze in the individual 1m springboard event.

The 19-year-old was partnered by Matteo Santoro, with whom she won World silver at Budapest 2022 less than two months ago.

They were also the defending European champions and cheered on by thousands at the Foro Italico the pair began well and led after two rounds. In the third German pair Tina Punzel and Lou Massenberg moved into the lead with Great Britain’s Grace Reid and James Heatly second, both ahead of Italy.

There were no further faults from either of the three pairs and a brilliant final dive secured victory for the Germans who last won the gold medal together at Glasgow 2018.

Scores after five rounds:
1 – Germany: 296.69
2 – Great Britain: 290.76
3 – Italy: 283.56

“We have always won a medal in the past four years, so it was clearly our goal to achieve one today and winning a gold again is thrilling for us,” said Punzel.

Team-mate Massenberg added; “We’ve been waiting for this for four years and now it just feels amazing.”

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