Gymnastics Considered Episode 8 - 2008 European Championship

So, I realized over half-way through filming myself that I had the camera turned the wrong way. I'm not sure there is a way to change the position in editing, so I decided to just leave it as it was, because I wanted to go ahead and get this episode up as quickly as possible. Thanks! (And don't make fun of me...)

Team Results:
1. Romania
2. Russia
3. France
Italy
Ukraine
Great Britian
Germany
Netherlands

Event Finals: (summary taken from the European Union of Gymnastics website)

Vault:

The title has not escaped to Oksana Chusovitina (GER) who had already widened the gap after her first jump: 15.600 for an outstanding exercise starting with 6.30. Having fallen at the landing of the second jump (14.025) did not penalize her. She is followed by the Italian duo composed of C. Giovannini (14.662) and Franca Benolli (14.662). Anna Pavlova (RUS) has not presented the same performance as on the first day (2nd), falling at the landing. Following a protest her score is revised (14.337) but this does not affect the initial classification...




Uneven bars:

After 4 competitors, two Ukrainians were in the lead. Darya Zgoba 15.625 (dismount with a double salto forwards) and A. Koval 15.425 (as well with a double salto forwards). Then came the turn of Elizabeth Tweddle, who was heading for the victory. She impressed the spectators in the competition hall with a new element. Steliana Nistor (ROU) took the lead of the competition after performing a beautiful routine. Last to pass, the Russian K. Semenova, who had dominated the qualifying competition, did the same (15.900) and beat the Romanian by a hair's-breadth.




Beam:

Ksenia Semenova showed a great gymnastics as well as corporeal mastering, compared to the first day where she fell. She presents a wonderful exercise, particularly stable, with a nice dismount (15,950, A value: 6.70). Steliana Nistor, how passes after her, falls at the beginning of her exercise, which she finishes with a beautiful acrobatic intensity (15,075, A value: 6.70). Sandra Izbasa, leading after the first day, and Alina Kozich (UKR) obtain the same total. The French Pauline Morel, who could hope for a medal, experienced some imbalances, despite a series of well controlled turns and saltos followed by a longitudinal dismount (value 6.60 A note 15.300).




Floor:

Great atmosphere at these last finals, where the exercises are punctuated by the music. Two French begin this final passage; Cassy Vericel, 4th 2007 in Amsterdam, (14.775) and Marine Petit (14.900, A value: 6.100) who takes the lead of the competition. Anna Pavlova is ahead of Véricel, but remains behind Marine. The Romanian Adriana Tamirjan beats everyone (14.975). Oksana Chusovitina has a tremendous support of the public, which is demonstrated with a lot of whistles as the score is announced (14.850). Great applause from the public accompanying the exercise of Sandra Izbasa, who deserved the victory.
The competition ended with the four award ceremonies. Afterwards the official UEG flag was handed over by Jacques Rey, President of the French Federation, to Riccardo Agabio, president of the Italian Federation, whose country will host the European Championships in individual men and women artistic gymnastics in 2009 (in principle Milan). At the end of the competitions, the UEG, the FFG and the local organizing committee, chaired by Pascal Vacant, with some 250 volunteers, have exchanged there thanks and gifts.

The closing banquet took part in the famous Vulcania Park, where some 600 people were invited by the management of the park. It was a great opportunity to discover the impressive and exciting animations of this park. A visit which had already been offered the day before to all media representatives of these championships. This tour was really appreciated and awoke moreover the desire to return and stay longer in this exceptional place.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 2008
• European
• Championships
• Sandra
• Izbasa
• Steliana
• Nistor
• Beth
• Tweddle
• Oksana
• Chusovitina
• Gymnastics
• Considered

[Ankholympios]

Its cool stuff your doing ;)

But if you wanna see perfection you have to watch the chinese girls, they are far better than Liukin. He Kexin for example had a 17.300 on bars recently!!! And the skill of Beth is another form of the Li Ya. Li Ya performs it since 2006, but she does jaeger to "cross grip" into jaeger (He Kexin also performs it). I really don't think that Nastia will win the bars in Beijing because the chinese have He Kexin and Yang Yilin ;) Go CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[22Christie]

Well, it's true what your saying - He Kexin is definitely a threat. But you just never know what's going to happen on that day. So, of course, I'm still rooting for Liukin. Thanks for watching!

[lepetitpoulet]

the reason why they all try the full turn with leg at horizontal is because the turn's automatically gonna count in the A score. So the reasoning behind that is if it's gonna count, they might as well try the C skill than than normal full turn only an A. They can only gain more if they manage it and if they don't, it will bring as many points as if they just attempted the A skill turn. Nothing to lose.

[22Christie]

Ah. Thanks for the insight! I only wish more of them could perform it better. It looks sloppy when it's not performed well, ya know?

[lepetitpoulet]

I know exactly what you mean. It's true, it just looks sloppy. Steliana nistor never does a one properly. I like Nastia's though, and Alina Kozich does hers so well, she links it to a fwd salto with take off from one leg. This Dutch gymnasts does a double turn with leg at horizontal on BB, it's just beautiful check it out: "Sanne Wevers : 2008 Cottbus EF BB". It's an E element! Peace :)

[22Christie]

Wow! Definitely turning and leaping are her strengths on beam (not so much tumbling) but I was blown away! And she proceeded to do a normal double turn as well! Pretty impressive. Thanks for the reference!

[MRdavenport2010]

that turn with leg horizontal was a required element.

[gribae]

That's a matter of opinion. The Chinese are good, but like Christie also says, it's what happens on the day you have to be careful about. Many a time I've seen the CHinese team on the verge of winning, only to have it snatched away by a lone gymnast making her debut (Vanessa Ferrari comes to mind)

[Darkangel127]

It'll be called the Tweddle, hopefully.

[jazrawy1990]

you're beautiful .