Slafkovsky clocked a time of 1 min 39.87sec to finish ahead of compatriot Michal Martikan, the runner-up in 1:41.66, and reclaim the title he won in Vienna two years ago.

"It is something amazing - unbelievable," said the 33-year-old, who was the only finalist not to incur any penalty seconds. 

"It was my dream to achieve this once in my career - to win at home and to win something big.

"Today is the day and I am so happy."

Martikan was in the fact the fastest canoeist in the showdown, but he picked up four penalty seconds and was relegated to the silver medal position.

Spain’s Ander Elosegi also incurred four penalty seconds and ended up third in 1:42.56.

His compatriot Nuria Vilarrubla took gold in the women’s C1 final after posting a time of 2:04.91.

Czech Republic’s Katerina Hoskova was 0.66 seconds behind in second, while Great Britain’s Mallory Franklin was a further 0.70 seconds back in third.

In the men’s K1, Czech Republic’s Jiri Prskavec and Vavrinec Hradilek clocked times of 1:31.44 and 1:31.45 respectively to take first and second spot ahead of Germany’s Hannes Aigner, third in 1:32.91.

Slovenia’s Peter Kauzer thought he’d secured his second European title after crossing the finish line with what appeared to be the fastest time.

However, he was given an additional two-second penalty after the judges reviewed his run and was pushed outside the medal positions to fourth place.

Victory for Prskavec, the reigning world champion, saw him secure a spot on the Czech Olympic team.

Hradilek, who won silver at London 2012, will therefore not get a chance to defend his medal.

Daniele Molmenti, the men’s kayak Olympic champion, won’t have the opportunity to retain his crown either as Giovanni de Gennaro produced the Italian team’s best runs to win a spot at Rio 2016.

Elosegi booked a ticket for Spain in men’s canoe, while Maarten Hermans did so for The Netherlands in men’s kayak.

Action in Liptovsky Mikulaš is due to conclude tomorrow with the women’s K1 and men’s C2 events.