Russia's Mayya Gurbanberdieva and Aleksandr Maltsev were convincing winners in the mixed duet technical ©Getty Images

Russia won the first two gold medals at the European Aquatics Championships, although proceedings did not follow the organisers' script and a technical glitch meant the duet technical final had to be postponed until later in the week.

Team diving and mixed duet technical titles were won by Russia on the opening day in Budapest, where diving and artistic swimming got the European Championships started.

Mayya Gurbanberdieva and Aleksandr Maltsev were convincing winners in the mixed duet technical, with their score of 91.7963 almost seven points better than their rivals could manage.

Spanish duo Emma Garcia and Pau Ribes scored 84.8694 to take the silver medal, while Isotta Sportelli and Nicolo Ogliari from Italy claimed third place on 77.4281.

The duet technical final had been the first one to begin at the Duna Arena, but an issue with the underwater speakers led to it being suspended until Thursday (May 13).

The team free preliminary round was also called off, but as only eight teams have entered all will advance to the final.

Following that, Russia doubled up with gold in the team diving contest.

Russia scored 431.80 points and were joined on the podium by runners-up Italy, with 428.00, and Germany, who scored 421.00.

Kristina Ilinykh, second left, said all of Russia's dives were "great" as they won the team diving title at the European Aquatics Championships ©Getty Images
Kristina Ilinykh, second left, said all of Russia's dives were "great" as they won the team diving title at the European Aquatics Championships ©Getty Images

Kristina Ilinykh, Ekaterina Belyaeva, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Viktor Minibaev comprised the victorious Russian team.

"It was great to dive here in Duna Arena in this beautiful pool but without audience it’s a little it weird," Ilinykh said.

"All of our dives were great. 

"We are so happy to have won the gold medal."

No spectators are present at the European Championships because of the coronavrius pandemic.

The European Swimming League's flagship event continues tomorrow, with finals scheduled in the solo technical, 10-metre mixed synchronised diving and women's 1m platform diving.