Serbia's Milica Starović was quickest in the women's K1 500 metres ©ECA

Serbia's Milica Starović was quickest in the women's K1 500 metres as her home European Canoe Sprint Championships opened in Belgrade.

Heats and semi-finals were held across various categories today with finals due to be held in the Serbian capital tomorrow and Sunday (June 10).

Only the fastest paddler in the heats progressed straight through to the final with the remainder of the field having to tackle the semi-finals.

Starović, who won European gold in the K2 1,000m in Moscow in 2016, was grateful for the extra rest.

"I'll have a race less, which means a lot," she said.

"Because I compete in K4 as well, I need some recovery.

The Spanish men's K4 crew also put in an eye-catching performance ©ECA
The Spanish men's K4 crew also put in an eye-catching performance ©ECA

"All girls are phenomenal, it is going to be a good and exciting final."

Elsewhere, Germany's three-time Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Brendel topped the time-sheets in the men's C1 1,000m.

Hungarian Balint Kopasz was quickest in the men's K1 1,000m to edge defending champion Fernando Pimenta from Portugal. 

Spain's men's K4 crew of Saul Craviotto, Marcus Walz, Cristian Toro and Rodrigo Germade powered to the fastest time over 500m to ensure they will start their final as favourites.

Ukraine's Liudmyla Luzan was fastest in the women's C1 500m.