Vaulting can make you feel a little giddy, slightly light-headed as you walk through the cheering crowds, the hearty hand shakes between the chefs d’equipes or the silver medallists congratulating the gold with honest praise for their performance and you somehow can’t help but feel the unusual and yet altogether refreshing experience! It’s as though a strong sporting ethic was woven into the very fabric of the discipline and its actors where a genuine appreciation for competition reigns. They are pleased that new nations are emerging, changing the balance, unsettling the favourites because this will and can only be conducive to greater achievements and expectations…

Nonetheless, the new European team champions are no stranger from the podiums, having never missed out on a team medal – it is none other than the very impressive German team. Indeed, they have won 6 out of the past 12 editions, and been rewarded with silver on 5 occasions and bronze just the once. They are to date the most successful team (although Switzerland has won 5 editions!) and today’s performance was spectacular. Their composition was based on a Dracula theme and it resonated throughout the performance while their technical ability was demonstrated time and time again. Nonetheless, their closest rivals throughout these Championships, the Austrian team, were only a fraction behind and it was not until the final scores were announced that the final placing could really be known. The Austrian team also performed brilliantly, with a lot of emotion and fluidity in the composition and great technical ability. Since the beginning of the Championship, these have been the two teams to beat and there is little surprise that they are on the two top spots. Third place was also hotly disputed and finally went to the Slovakian team, the title holders while Switzerland came fourth. The Slovakian performance was very interesting and their flyer seemed to defy gravity with great tonicity and flexibility.

Results Senior Team European Vaulting Final

1. Germany 8,266
2. Austria 8,158
3. Slovakia 7,693
4. Switzerland 7,682
5. Denmark 7,618
6. Italy 7,333
7. France 7,030
8. Sweden 6,962
9. South Africa 6,350
10. Czech Republic 6,266