With only the deciding 4x50 metres mixed medley relay left to swim, the two teams were neck and neck at 131-131, but the Americans pushed through to touch in at a world record 1min 37.17sec to claim the extra point needed to defeat their challengers by just 0.2 at Glasgow's Tollcross International Swimming Pool.

The win by Eugene Godsoe, Kevin Cordes, Claire Donahue and Simone Manuel was made all the more impressive when you consider that the Americans had come back from a 68-52 overnight deficit after an impressive showing from some of Europe's biggest swimming stars.

Britain's Fran Halsall and Sophie Allen secured victories in the 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley, respectively, for the European Allstars, while Spain's Mireia Belmonte added wins in the 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly to her two victories from the opening night.

The US did, however, bring themselves back into contention for the title with a clean sweep of the men's events.

Michael McBroom won the 800m freestyle setting an American record on
the way ©Getty Images


Conor Dwyer got the winning streak underway with victories in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley, before Godsoe and Jimmy Feigen claimed full points in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle respectively.

Meanwhile, the 800m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m butterfly saw Michael McBroom, Cordes and Tom Shields setting American records on the way to victory.

The American victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay, thanks to Shields, Feigen, Anthony Ervin and Cullen Jones, then forced the tiebreak situation before the 4x50m mixed medley relay squad swung it for the defending champions.

"That was such a fun event and really cool to watch Eugene, Kevin, Claire and Simone just pull it out at the end there," Shields said.

"I knew the 4x100m free would be pretty close so I knew I'd have to race pretty hard.

"I don't know what did it for us in the end but I just kept my head down and tried my best.

"It's been one of the most fun meets I've ever been at.

"To do a Duel meet in a championship format is really fun and I'm so thankful I got the nod to be invited to this meet.

"It was a great atmosphere and there was real electricity on both days so it was really fun for all our team."

Fran Halsall said the European Allstars would leave Glasgow with their heads held high ©Getty Images

Although the European Allstars missed out on the 2013 Duel in the Pool title by just a fraction, Halsall - who also featured on the winning women's 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x50m mixed medley relay line ups - said the squad would leave Glasgow with their heads held high.

"It's been a tough day," she said.

"We were ahead but we knew it was going to be touch and go as to who would win.

"It came down to the freestyle relays and the girls really got together as a unit and swam really well and broke the world record.

"That was fantastic to be a part of and I was really buzzing after that.

"I knew I'd have to calm back down and get ready for a swim-off and that was hard and emotional but so great to be a part of and I really enjoyed it.

"Standing up as a European team and being that close to the Americans with so many people behind you is something I will be proud of for a long time."

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