There was no Facebook stream yesterday.
Several big names are scheduled to compete: Great Britain’s star Max Whitlock, Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov, Slovenia’s Saso Bertoncelj, Russian defending vault Champion Artur Dalaloyan and pommel horse champion David Belyavskiy, the Flying Dutchmen Epke Zonderland and Bart Deurloo, floor stars Alexander Shatilov and Artyom Dolgopyat (ISR), and many many others. The Greek Lord of the Rings Eleftherios Petrounias will aim to tie Yuri Chechi’s record of 4 consecutive rings titles.
Men set to take the Hydro’s spotlight
Not knowing the European scene all that well, I studied this MAGnastics post:
Prediction – 1. Russia, 2. GB, 3. Germany
After watching everyone in podium training, I’d agree.
But what about Switzerland?
Pablo Braegger, Christian Baumann and Eddy Yusof are all injured. On the upside, the surprise of the day for me was was Henji MBOYO, the new young Swiss gymnast. It reminded me a bit of when I first saw Manrique. Big amplitude. Big difficult. Tremendous potential.
On the other hand, this meet is 5-3-3. That’s 3 up, 3 count. Any of the teams could count multiple falls on Pommels. Many gymnasts risk falls on H Bar release moves. And on dismount.
If any team loses a gymnast to injury during the competition, they could be out. Many don’t have a 4th back-up routine on every apparatus.
Great Britain is without Nile Wilson for this one. MAGnastics calculates that a loss of about 4 points in team. Thousands of screaming fans should help the home boys get through, however. I’d predict Max will medal on both Floor and Pommels, the only apparatus he’s competing.
Russia is on a roll right now. Andrei Rodionenko, watching every move WAG and MAG, must be a happy man.
Germany looks to be best of the rest. Marcel Nguyen, now age-30, is as energetic as a teenager. But there are several other teams that could finish ahead of them with a perfect meet.
Read MAGnastics – A Look at Russia’s Euros Team
I didn’t recognize Bram Verhofstad NED with the hair. He’s one of the favourites on Floor.
related – DUDE WEEK 2018: PREVIEWING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gymnastics Coaching.com 