Britain's divers win European Championships trophy

Britain’s divers claimed the 2018 European Championships overall trophy despite a mixed performance on the final day of the competition in Edinburgh.

A disappointing final dive in the Women’s 3m Synchro cost Grace Reid and Kat Torrance the chance of a medal as they finished fourth.

And Matty Lee and Matthew Dixon ended up fifth and sixth respectively in the Men’s 10m Platform.

But despite failing to win a medal on the last day, Great Britain lifted the European Championships trophy after finishing on a total of 237 points.

Russia were second on 212 and Germany third with a total of 193.

Dixon said: “Winning the team trophy was a really great way to round off the week and for the whole team to be up there celebrating was awesome.”

Reid and Torrance held a comfortable lead after four rounds of the 3m Synchro.

But Torrance slipped out of position in the duo’s final dive – a Forward 2½ Somersaults 1 Twist Piked – and it proved to be costly.

We’ll be better and stronger

They finished on a total of 270.90, 12 points behind Russia’s Nadezhda Bazina and Kristina Ilinykh who finished third on 282.90.

The gold medal was won by Italy’s Elena Bertocchi and Chiara Pellacani with 289.26 points, while silver went to Germany’s Lena Hentschel and Tina Punzel on 286.80.

Reid explained, “There was no rhyme nor reason why it happened – it’s just sport and that’s the final result. We can go back and analyse the result until the cows come home but that won’t change what happened.

“We’re obviously a little disappointed with the outcome but it’s just the nature of the diving. Both Kat and I will be back next season and we’ll be better and stronger.”

In the Men’s 10m Platform, Lee battled hard and was in contention in the early stages but dropped down the rankings and finished on 452.20.

He said: “I’m a bit gutted I didn’t make onto the podium especially after diving so well during the prelims but that’s diving and sport, unfortunately.”

Dixon was one place further back after scoring 448.90 and said: “There’s been loads that I’ve learnt from this week.

“I’ve got a short break coming up now and then back to training in a few weeks, to learn new and harder dives and up scores for next year.”

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