They had a spin as a required element in the series with Chris - I think it was a 720 degree spin on one foot, and only about half of the contestants managed it properly (about half-way through the series), although most made a decent stab of it, but from memory, it wasn't something they were able to incorporate into the routines without it looking clunky, so I don't think it was worth them bothering with unless there were points at stake.


Thoroughly deserved for Nathalie and Fabian, it was a wonderful routine and performance. I was very impressed with our own skaters too. They must have been under incredible pressure, but they held strong.

I love Samuel Contesti, his performances are packed full of fun!

Me too. He is my favourite.

Eurosport are broadcasting the men live now, I'd recommend it over the BBC's coverage.

Just realised this will probably be the first year Joubert has ever been out the medals at Euros.

I really want Javier Fernandez to pull it together for the long.

Artur Gachinski's long program hasn't been at all consistent this season so I'm not sure if he'll remain in first place.

I couldn't get past those braces I'm afraid!

I was very, very impressed by the young Belgian chap who skated before him.

Here comes Plushenko. For some reason, I dislike him.

Whoa, Plushenko on amazing form. Loved that, he has such presence on the ice.

Plushenko is a true showman and he deserved gold. The stand-out performance for me, though, was the last one. Florent Amodio is a very exciting prospect. If he could just nail his quads.

Loved all the top six - there seemed a real gulf in class between them and the rest. Amodio's star quality just oozes out and Gachinski was gorgeous and unlucky not to go clean IMO.

Plushenko though - what a privilege to be here for that. Even the guy's fingertips and the ends of that blond mop perform. Wow wow wow.

Don't know if they showed the Plushenko interview on Eurosport? My favourite bit was when he was asked how he liked competing in GB. His answer? 'Today I like everything'

You could really see how much it meant to Plushenko, and it's great to know he'll be about til 2014.

Hendricx? Yeah I loved him too, better than Brian Joubert for my money...

He does have an air of arrogance about him, but as Robin said he has won the right to be slightly arrogant!

He's kind of sexy arrogant. It works for him.

Overall an enjoyable event but I am sad about Javier Fernandez. He looked so sad in the K&C. I hope his time will come, the pressure was probably a bit much this year. I always love Florent as well, bless him getting all emotional.

Heavens, Plushenko was dynamite, I loved his programme. The top three were all really good and I did enjoy Contesti too.
I am watching the ladies at the moment. Hope it turns out to be as good as the mens.

The ladies are on now on red button freeview 301- But still they can't get rid of Barker

It is just insulting having her commentate on a sport she knows nothing about- she is not needed - Robin could have done this perfectly well on his own

Carolina won the ladies event, I am pleased.

yet again dodgy judging robs a none soviet union bloc skater of a medal. Helgusson dersved a medl rather than the Georgian

Sue Barker announced at the end of the Ladies free programme that there is a highlights programme on tomorrow agfternoon....unless the tennis over runs and then it will be shown on Monday. So once again the BBC think tennis is more important than the scheduled programmes!

I didn't think much of the Finnish girl's performance. How on earth did she finish 2nd?

Really liked Carolina, Polina and Elene (the Georgian).

Robin mentioned quite a few of the girls didn't have a triple Lutz in their repertoire which surprised me. Won't they be outclassed at the Worlds?

The amount of talented female figure skaters Russia has at the moment is insane. The 15 year old Russian girl tonight came second in the free, if she'd skated like that in the short she could've won the whole event. And she only came 7th in her national championships, most of the girls who finished above her being too young to attend Euros. One of whom was Elizaveta Tuktamysheva who I took a shine to during the Grand Prix events this season. It seems like by Sochi the women's event will just be dominated by Russians...

By the way Plushenko's post-skate interview that Lorelei Lee mentioned earlier is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8O-GX07TZk He does look so happy. He isn't attending Worlds this year because he's off to have surgery on his knee. Can't believe he can skate like that while injured!

Eurport is showing the gala live tomorrow afternoon at 2:45.

Hi been here all week in Sheffield &, despite it being a transitional period for ice skating & a few notable withdrawals, have really enjoyed it after a 4 year break. Just thought I would post that I met the maestro Plushenko, Amodio, Fernandez, Van Der Perren, Joubert tonight as they left - got some fab pics which I may post here once I get back. Plushenko tried to rush past & said no photos today but tomorrow & then he changed his mind & his assistant gave out photo postcards of him to us to be signed. It was so funny. Joubert, Van Der Perren, Amodio (he is so tiny) & Fernandez were so sweet. The only one who ran past everyone was Gacinski but as Plushenko was there too, peeps did not mind too much lol

No no no. Elena deserved her medal -she was fantastic. Helgesson was on fire but I agree with the result. Id have had her 4th though.

Victor pfeiffer was my pick of the newer ones though he performed it even better in the qualifiers. Kim's programme was a masterpiece of choreography. Love Joubert so was really sad about his performance in the short. He was much better in the long- after he saw our poster of support

Got back earlier from a fab 2 days in Sheffield. Thankfully managed to arrive in time for the start of the Men's short programme. Absolute privilege to see Plushenko skate live & amazing to think he has been performing here with a dodgy knee. Shame he will miss Worlds this year due to surgery he's having but imagine what he'll be like when he is fully fit.

Watching the skaters live you appreciate their skills that bit more than watching on TV. Seeing the lifts & throw jumps in the pairs was really spectacular live.

Really enjoyed the Dance last night & so pleased for Nathalie & Fabian. Penny & Nick performed as well as they could, they have really improved inthe last year (think they were about 15th in last Euros). I thought Louise & Owen performed well too. Jenna is the only British skater who has been disappointing really.

The Asians have been the dominant force at world level for the past few years. That may change in the next couple of years though as CombatHamster has mentioned the Russians have a big pool of talented young skaters including Polina.

Agree - Elena was fantastic & thrilled for her she got a medal. Helgesson is good but her placing was right I think. Polina was fantastic in the free - such a shame she underperformed in the Short Programme.