Bulgaria, pictured competing at the European Championships, gained a superb victory today ©Getty Images

Bulgaria silenced the home crowd by beating Russia to the five ribbons group title on the final day of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Kazan.

In a superb performance, the Bulgarians posted a score of 18.050 to finish comfortably clear of closest rivals Russia, who managed 17.900.

European champions Israel completed a high quality final in third place on 17.340.

Japan, Spain and Finland occupied the next three positions.

The victory was extra emotional for Bulgaria considering team member Tsvetelina Stoyanova, is continuing her recovery from an incident last month in which she fell from the sixth floor of a block of flats in Sofia.

Bulgaria were competing in the absence of Tsvetelina Stoyanova as she continues her recovery from her fall last month ©Getty Images
Bulgaria were competing in the absence of Tsvetelina Stoyanova as she continues her recovery from her fall last month ©Getty Images

Hosts Russia did enjoy victory in the six clubs and two hoops event today.

They scored 18.600 points to finish comfortably clear of Belarus.

Belarus scored 18.400 for second place while Italy managed 18.300 for bronze.