Having won all seven titles in the German city prior to the final day of competition, the Russian team began as favourites to claim gold in the Championships’ penultimate event and had underlined that billing by topping the qualification standings.

Their team of Diana Borisova, Daria Kleshcheva, Anastasia Maksimova, Sofya Skomorokh, Anastasia Tartareva and Maria Tolkacheva produced another excellent display to receive a score of 17.850 points and pile the pressure on their opponents.

They remained in the lead until the final routine of the competition when’s Italy’s team of Martina Centofanti, Sofia Lodi, Alessia Maurelli, Marta Pagnini, Camilla Patriarca and Andreea Stefanescu belied sixth place in qualifying with a clean and dramatic performance.

The display received a standing ovation from the crowd in the Porsche-Arena and it was equally well received by the judges, who awarded them a score of 17.900, which saw them claim gold and end Russia’s dominance.

Italy and Russia finished well clear of the remaining teams with Japan proving to be the next best nation as they secured the final podium position having scored 17.366, which saw them finish just 0.366 ahead of the Bulgarian team.

Russia’s quest for a clean sweep of titles may have been unexpectedly ended in the final event but they displayed their overall dominance at the Championships, earning the clubs and hoops gold.

Their group put the disappointment of the five ribbons final behind them by scoring 18.125 from their routine, but were challenged again by Italy, who immediately followed their performance.

In the end though, the Italian team would be forced to settle for the silver medal after scoring 18.100 with the Russians' added difficulty proving to be the difference.

Bulgaria, who had finished as the silver medallists in the all-round group event, completed the podium positions, scoring 17.866.


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