Russia claim eighth successive European Rhythmic Gymnastics group title

By Nick Butler
Saturday, 2 May 2015

Yana Kudravtseva (left), Aleksandra Soldatova and Margarita Mamun (right) celebrate their dominant victory in Minsk ©AFP/Getty Images

Russia secured an eighth successive group title at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships today in Minsk, with the all-star trio of Yana Kudryavtseva, Margarita Mamun and Alexander Soldatov sweeping aside the opposition in dominant fashion.

With today's clubs and ribbon competitions combined with yesterday's hoop and ball events, the Russians scored a cumulative total of 150.173 points, a haul that no one else was ever likely to come close to.

The world's largest nation has now won 11 of the last 12 continental group titles, with a surprise defeat to Greece in 1999 the last time they failed to claim the top step of the podium.

Hosts Belarus will be satisfied with a strong silver medal after backing up their opening day performances to finish with 144.556, and repeat a silver medal finish also claimed at both the 2008 and 2010 editions.

Margarita Mamun is poised to win more medals tomorrow in the individual finals ©AFP/Getty Images

Ukraine took third with 139.798 points to gain a first European group medal since 1997.

Individual apparatus finals will take place in the Belorussian capital tomorrow, with the Russians hot favourites to claim more gold after leading pair Margarita Mamun and world champion Yana Kudryavtseva dominated the qualification standings.

Related stories
April 2015: Russian teenager shines as European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships opens
April 2015: World champion Kudryavtseva leads field at European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Minsk
September 2014: Kudryavtseva makes history again at Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships
September 2014: Russia dominate at Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships with three golds
September 2014: Kudryavtseva and Mamun share gold in ball final at Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships

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