Day 3 Preview: 21 European Champions to be Crowned

The European Championships Munich 2022 started with two eventful days which served as a prelude to what the action-packed multi-sport event still has on offer. On Saturday, the first sets of medals will be handed out in rowing at the Olympic Regatta Centre and in sport climbing at Königsplatz. You can follow all action in our red-hot live blog.

EARLY BIRDS

The first medals of the day will be decided in rowing, as the Olympic Regatta Centre hosts the first A-finals, with a total of 11 gold medals up for grabs.

Medals will be won in nine rowing and two para rowing events, culminating in the final of the men’s eight. Hosts Germany will want to overturn the form crew of the season, Great Britain, after the British won the preliminary ‘race for lanes’ on Thursday.

Check out the full rowing preview here.

TWO MEDALS ON THE LINE

The first winners of sport climbing gold medals will be crowned when the final of the women’s lead and men’s boulder take place at Königsplatz in the centre of Munich. Both disciplines will feature semifinals in the morning before the finals take place later in the day.

While Slovenian star Janja Garnbret will be the one to beat in the women’s competition, the home crowd’s fingers will be crossed for the only German climber in the boulder semifinal, Hannah Meul.

The 21-year-old admits there is a challenge to turning her focus back to lead after competing in boulder action on Friday, but there is nowhere else she would rather be.

“It's a kind of a new experience and also tiring for sure,” she said. “I'm super happy that I'm able to compete in both disciplines and I will make the best out of it.

“I will go to the physio and just relax and focus and switch to lead climbing again. Then I'm only thinking of tomorrow (Saturday), not the day after tomorrow or next week. It's just tomorrow and I want to give my best and try my best and smile. That's the goal.”

For the full preview, click here.

JEANJEAN EYEING HAT-TRICK

Reigning European champion Anthony Jeanjean (FRA) is looking to defend his title as the men’s BMX freestyle park final gets underway on Saturday. Jeanjean, who clinched the title in both 2019 and 2021 – the only European Championships raced so far – is eyeing a hat-trick of titles after dominating the qualifications.

The men’s final will consist of twelve riders divided in two heats, with the top six qualifiers all competing in the second heat of the day.

You can find more information here.

STELLAR ITALIA

European all-around champion Asia D’Amato and all-around bronze medallist Martina Maggio (ITA) hope to add another medal to their tally as they lead the Italian gymnastics team in the women’s team final on Saturday. Having qualified in first place, outscoring the rest of the field by a sizable margin, the Italians aim to bag their nation’s first European team title since 2006 – the only time Italy topped the team podium so far.

After winning a bronze medal at the 2019 world championships in Stuttgart, the Italian favourites are eyeing a podium finish in yet another German city. Maggio said she is confident about Italy’s chances to clinch the gold. "Our individual scores were so good, which means that the team could be OK for the finals,” she said after team qualifications on Thursday. “I am sure we are able to take the gold in the team event. Italy is the best”, Maggio added with a smile.

Read up on their competition here.

TRIATHLON VOL. 2

After the successful completion of the women's triathlon elite race, it is the turn of the elite men. The race will take place on the same distance as the women’s event, the Olympic distance. If the competition on Friday was not enough for the spectators, the race on Saturday should satisfy their need for fast and competitive racing.

Read up on the race here.

FROM BASKET TO BOLL

The table tennis programme kicks off at Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle with preliminary rounds in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. The historic venue, originally built for the 1972 Olympic basketball tournament, has been graced by great talent over the decades and the European Table Tennis Championships will make no exception.

Fans can look forward to seeing outstanding athletes in action, one of them being Natalia Partyka (POL) who will start her chase for glory in the women’s doubles with Natalia Bajor (POL). Partyka, who was born without a right hand and forearm and is a multiple Paralympic Games gold medallist, has also competed at four Olympic Games and will be looking to add a European title to her collection.

Click here for the full table tennis preview.

STILL ON TRACK

After the team finals on Friday, track cycling continues with a mixed bag of events on Saturday. The programme starts with raw power in the men’s individual sprint and the women’s 500m time trial, and in the afternoon stamina will be key as the individual pursuit medals are contested for both genders. The day concludes with the women’s elimination medal race and the men’s scratch.

Find out who to keep an eye on here.