Russians dominate Synchronised Swimming and Artistic Gymnastics

Russia enjoyed a golden day at the Baku 2015 European Games on Monday, winning both of the gold medals up for grabs in Synchronised Swimming and then repeating the feat in the Artistic Gymnastics.

Valeriya Filenkova and Daria Kulagina won the Synchronised Swimming duets free routine in the morning at the Baku Aquatics Centre, before helping their teammates land the team free routine in the evening.

The day got even better for the Russians as their gymnasts dominated proceeding at the National Gymnastics Arena, winning the men’s and women’s team events and leading qualification in individual events.

Russia did not have it all their own way on Monday, however. In Canoe Sprint, a powerful late surge by Belarusian brothers Andrei and Aliaksandr Bahdanovich saw them pip Alexey Korovashkov and Ilya Pervukhin to the men’s C2 1000m gold medal in a photo finish. There was no doubt, however, that it was Germany who enjoyed the most success in Mingachevir on Monday.

Medals were also dished out in the Table Tennis, in which favourites Germany won the women’s team event, triumphing 3-2 over the Netherlands in the final. The German men were also favourites, but missed even a bronze after losing to 3-0 to Austria. Meanwhile, teenager Joao Geraldo led Portugual to gold in a 3-1 final win over France.

Rally of the day in the Volleyball came in the Turkish women’s 3-0 win over Italy. The Turks scored the crucial point against a scrambling Italian defence after some fierce attack and gutsy defence from both sides. It was a point that neither team deserved to lose.

There was more glory for Azerbaijan at the Wrestling, with Mariya Stadnyk winning the freestyle 48kg class on a day when a host of Russian favourites failed to reach their finals.

But when it came to the pool and the gymnastics apparatus, the Russians were untouchable.

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