Sofia Raffaeli came first and second in today's qualifying rounds in Tel Aviv ©Getty Images

Bulgaria's Boryana Kaleyn and Sofia Raffaeli have topped the qualification rounds on the first day of senior competition at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Israel.

Kaleyn scored 34.650 points in the individual ball discipline to lead the standings at the Expo Tel Aviv.

The 21-year-old attempted the hardest routine of the round and was awarded a 17.2 difficulty rating.

Her 8.550 and 8.900 points for execution and artistry helped her stand out from the crowd.

Raffaeli was so close to the perfect day but had to settle for second in the qualifying round with 33.700 points.

Another Bulgarian, in the form of 2020 junior European champion Stiliana Nikolova, made up the top three as she equalled Raffaeli's score of 33.700.

Despite having a lower difficulty rating, Raffaeli placed higher as she scored higher on the execution and artistry.

Hungary's Fanni Pigniczki claimed the 11th and final place that qualifies her for the final after posting a score of 31.450 points.

Panagiota Lytra of Greece fell just short with 31.300 points.

World hoop bronze medallist Raffaeli then matched expectation in the individual hoop qualifier with a top score of 36.150 points.

Kaleyn and Nikolova were high up in the standings once more with 34.950 and 34.450 points, respectively.

Italy's Milena Baldassarri was the unlucky 12th-place finisher this time as she scored 31.150 points, missing out on 11th placed Alba Bautista of Spain as she had a lower execution score by 0.100 points.

Individual qualifiers for the clubs and ribbon disciplines are scheduled to take place tomorrow before the all-around finals on Saturday (June 18).