Good to see the GB swimmers pushing on from the Commonwealth Games, hopefully the squad can continue to develop through to Rio.
Even more impressive in that a few good swimmers are not in Berlin. Hannah Miley is taking a break after Glasgow (should be at Short course worlds in Dec) and one of our major gold threats, O'Connor in the 200IM, is sick (glandular fever). It's difficult to peak for two consecutive meets like this at your top level especially for those that do a traditional taper. The British men are collectively setting the world standard in Breaststroke right now. Murdoch should have an interesting encounter with Gyurta and Koch in the 200. My money would be on Murdoch right now.
Edit: Two golds in one session for Adam and Christopher. Can't remember the last time that's happened at ECs for UK swimmers. I believe that's a first.
GOLD for Great Britain in the mixed relay! by a considerable margin as well, and a world record! though this is a new event, probably won't be long before that record is broken.
GOLD for Great Britain in the mixed relay! by a considerable margin as well, and a world record! though this is a new event, probably won't be long before that record is broken.
Yeah it is brand new event. However, I like it a lot. It involves a lot more strategy than the other relays. Although in this case it was a no brainer who the British legs would be. Although they may have been tempted to put Barrett and Taylor in there since they were rested. If they had I think we still may have won, assuming they could replicate their Glasgow swims. But the best 4 were chosen with the in form swimmers.
I guess the Aussies and USA would easily be the top 2 in such a relay if they were involved.
Right now on recent form it would probably be 1. USA 2. Australia 3. Japan
However, I think Britain could medal at World Champs next year with O'Connor in the women's medley relay. So the relays are definitely looking up! The only thing missing for the men's MR is a freestyle leg (but they still beat Australia at Commies).
When was the last time we won 3 golds in one night at a European Championships?
Never.
Most medals in one session I believe too. Will have to check though. Although there are some relatively new events, like the stroke sprint 50s (fly, back, and breast) as well as the new mixed medley relay. But in a European context, this is as good as we've ever looked. Part of is that Germany, Italy, and Russia are not as strong. Hungary, of the traditional powers, is still fairly strong. France and Denmark (for the women) are relatively new powerhouses in the sport.
Well, I'm not much of a swimming fan, but 3 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronze, with a medal in every single final, strikes me as a pretty good reply to those people who were saying the Commonwealths were easy. The BBC must be kicking themselves that they have stuck this away on the Red Button, with only a BBC2 highlights roundup on Monday afternoon!
GB up to second on the medals table, which includes all the syncro and open water from last week. Surely we can't do it in both swimming and athletics in consecutive weeks!
GB up to second on the medals table, which includes all the syncro and open water from last week. Surely we can't do it in both swimming and athletics in consecutive weeks!
Fantastic performances from the Brits today. British swimming so desperately needed to take a big step forward and it looks as if it's done exactly that. Great stuff.
Comments
Even more impressive in that a few good swimmers are not in Berlin. Hannah Miley is taking a break after Glasgow (should be at Short course worlds in Dec) and one of our major gold threats, O'Connor in the 200IM, is sick (glandular fever). It's difficult to peak for two consecutive meets like this at your top level especially for those that do a traditional taper. The British men are collectively setting the world standard in Breaststroke right now. Murdoch should have an interesting encounter with Gyurta and Koch in the 200. My money would be on Murdoch right now.
Edit: Two golds in one session for Adam and Christopher. Can't remember the last time that's happened at ECs for UK swimmers. I believe that's a first.
Yeah it is brand new event. However, I like it a lot. It involves a lot more strategy than the other relays. Although in this case it was a no brainer who the British legs would be. Although they may have been tempted to put Barrett and Taylor in there since they were rested. If they had I think we still may have won, assuming they could replicate their Glasgow swims. But the best 4 were chosen with the in form swimmers.
Right now on recent form it would probably be 1. USA 2. Australia 3. Japan
However, I think Britain could medal at World Champs next year with O'Connor in the women's medley relay. So the relays are definitely looking up! The only thing missing for the men's MR is a freestyle leg (but they still beat Australia at Commies).
Never.
Most medals in one session I believe too. Will have to check though. Although there are some relatively new events, like the stroke sprint 50s (fly, back, and breast) as well as the new mixed medley relay. But in a European context, this is as good as we've ever looked. Part of is that Germany, Italy, and Russia are not as strong. Hungary, of the traditional powers, is still fairly strong. France and Denmark (for the women) are relatively new powerhouses in the sport.
Oh ye of little faith!
http://www.bln2014.de/competition/medal-count/?lang=en
Fingers crossed that we do though
Yes. It is a boring sport except when British swimmers are winning, and at the Olympics. ;-)
Haha. I kinda like it tbh. For me more fun when surprises like Serbian guy in 400
looks like it :kitty:
there were some good races tonight
Also Hosszu was amazing.
Was that the crazy close finish? Thought the German guy had made it but he mucked up the touch.