After setting a world best time in Poznan last month, Germany once again asserted their dominance over the division with victory on the Rotsee course.

The Germans were already in the lead by the time they reached the 500 metres mark.

Coxed by Martin Sauer, the Germans held a 37 stroke rate to stay in front as Australia gave it their all to match them.

It was neck-and-neck with Australia on 43 to Germany’s 41 and there was very little to choose between the two teams in the closing moments.

The Europeans just managed to cross the line first though in a time of 5min 24.310 sec, six seconds slower than their world best time.

"It was a very hard race, hopefully for the Aussies too," said Sauer.

"We knew they could be really quick after putting the four into the eight.

"We had to work a lot to stay in front."

Australia scored a well-deserved silver in 5:24.800 while The Netherlands crossed the line in 5:28.140 to take bronze.

Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinković marked their first international men’s pair World Cup final with a silver medal.

The Sinković siblings are the reigning world and Olympic champions in the men’s double sculls but have changed boat class to the men’s pair for 2017.

They were beaten in today's final, however, by New Zealand's James Hunter and Thomas Murray who finished in 6:34.500.

A time of 6:35.670 saw the Croatians secure second while Valentin Onfroy and Théophile Onfroy of France completed the podium in 6:40.510.

Australia took gold in the women's four at last month's World Cup and were victorious once again today after recording the fastest qualifying time in the heats.

Charging through the third 500m, Australia really picked up their pace and eventually overtook Russia and started to move completely away from the rest of the field.

They crossed the line comfortably in first place in 6:35.820.

“We didn’t have a great start, but we wound it up and managed to push through," said Australia's Sarah Hawe.

Following just under five seconds behind in second place were Russia in 6:40.770 while Canada completed the top three in 6:40.860.

There was delight for the host nation in the women's singles sculls as Jeannine Gmelin took gold.

The 27-year-old, who finished fifth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was fastest in the semi-finals and proved too strong for the rest of the field in the final as she crossed the line in 7:25.22.

Carling Zeeman of Canada took silver in 7:27.530 while Austria's Magdalena Lobnig rounded out the podium with her time of 7:29.080.

“I really focused on my race," said Gmelin.

"I am so happy that I won here in my country.

"Now I have a small break and then its back to hard training towards the World Championships.”

This weekend's event was the final World Cup regatta of the 2017 season.

Attention now turns to the 2017 World Rowing Championships, which are scheduled to take place in the American cities of Sarasota and Bradenton from September 23 to October 1.