2017 - Racice Rowing: European Championships

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2017

European Rowing Championships from the Czech Republic

and the beautiful little town of Racice,

about 40km from the capital of Prague.

It has been a court of a century since this many boats descended on

the lake and back in 1993 it was for the world rowing Championships. It

is the best of Europe we will see out on that water today.

The four-year journey to Tokyo kicked off

Here's the story of the season so far.

Here we are together to kick-off a new season with lots of new faces.

A very good start for the women's pair of Great Britain. The

Netherlands have taken out the crew from Great Britain. A major, major

upset. The British boys will have to dig deep. Surely the British have

done enough to get first place? Some really exciting performances already

that I think bode well for the future. They have responded well and

they are dominating this field. That is a phenomenally talented athlete.

A lot to be done. It is all about learning. Really nice way to cap a

good weekend of racing and your first victory. Good on you.

So, the racing is just about to get underway and James and Katherine are

here to talk through the British prospects. Katherine, looking back

to Belgrade three weeks ago, what to make of that now with a bit of

hindsight? With hindsight it was a fantastic start a competition for

the British team. It is a very different team that we saw in Rio.

They are young and it was tough racing but in a slightly weakened

international field. There were a lot of countries we would have

expected to compete against who were not in Belgrade so here it is much

tougher. James, what will they have been concentrating on? The first

concentration period they had after the Regatta was getting to know each

other. Now what are the result they had there, they have to step up

massively here because it was a weak field but now the Germans have come

in, the big boys of European rowing are here so they will know they have

to raise their game to cope with that and from the heats they will

have to raise their game from the heats to the final otherwise they

will be on the end of a hiding. You and I both raced here. I am wincing,

it was nearly 25 years ago back in 1993. What can you remember about

the lake then and what challenges does it pose for the cruise? You are

wincing, you can thirst! I did not! The big similarities when we came

here in 1993 after the Barcelona Olympics, here it is after the real

Olympics. You're not going to win your Olympic medal but you can stake

your claim in the events. The German men's eights lost out in Rio. Five

have come back and they are clearly laying their marker down for Tokyo.

That is the replication of a post-Olympic year in 1993 and

countries will have their eye on the boat and see how fast they are

against the other opposition. This is where people need to put their

stakes out. Katherine, your career does not quite go back a quarter of

the century, the European Championships has come to the fore

in the last four or five years, it is a fully fledged event now, really

exciting but great prospects for next year? Yes, a big change. Next

it turns into a European Championships and it is a multisport

event. Two things, so one is it will be in Glasgow so it will be a home

event. A good test. But the multisport brings a different

dimensional and it is one that in rowing you rarely get to experience.

Once every four years is the Olympic Games which is a multisport event

but now there is the chance to have one at a European level. It will be

a big test but also preparation for Tokyo. OK, here is what is coming up

before five o'clock today. It was on an emotional silver in

Rio, now Vicky Thornley is planning a lonely path in the women's singles

sculls. Catherine went to meet up with her old team-mate. I thought it

would be Rio and then that would be it but this sport gets you

hooked, as you know! We will meet another member of the British Rowing

team. Introducing Jonny Walton of the men's quad. Being side to side,

that is what we train for. And we will find out how the doubles get

on. The first event we will turn to is the women's pair. So often the

boat class Britain has been successful in with Helen Glover and

Heather Stanning in the last four years. Now it is the turn of Karen

Bennett and Holly Norton. Karen won an Olympic silver in the women's

eight in Rio and they both together in this new competition won a gold

in the opening World Cup in Belgrade three weeks ago. That was only a

three boat field. It will be a lot tougher here. James has gone across

to join Garry Herbert in the commentary box and they will talk

you through the first race of the afternoon.

Then it and Norton of Great Britain are under a lot of pressure from

Denmark in a number four. Italy in one, Spain and France in a number

six, watch here, it is so important in the second 500 to really nail it.

That gives you length, rhythm, power and that will give you the

confidence to step on. That is now what the Romanian team are doing.

They have opened up Clearwater in lane three. The problem is they have

to keep their heads up, keep it long, keep it sharp so they don't

come down into the boat here. They are well ahead of Spain, France and

Italy. It is pride for them now. This is a big step up from the

Regatta we had three weeks ago. The differences the Brits are in a race

with no one. Denmark are raising Romania and Romania are raising

Denmark. The Brits could get shutout in No Man's Land. The remaining have

led their colours very starkly on the sun lounge. They have put

themselves firmly in the first three quarters of the race. They have the

pedigree and experience to hold on. I think Denmark, having that Olympic

medal will come and row Romania down but they have put themselves in a

perfect position with a couple of minutes left. Coming up to 1500

metres. If Romania put the sun lounge out there, it looks like the

Danish pair have stolen the towels because now they will step up. This

will be a really good last 50 strokes. They have closed the gap

again in the last 250 metres. There is clear water between Denmark and

Great Britain here. Really disappointing so far for the Brits.

It will be really hard to turn the speed around and get back into

contention here for the British team of Karen Bennett and 24-year-old

Holly Norton. Eddisbury hard for Denmark while second. The Romanian

pair have not been successful for a long time so they will not let this

go. They have put themselves pulp position. The Danes may be

regretting the slow first 250 metres of the race. They have defined a

change of gear now. Romania have gone early. Madalina Beres and Laura

Oprea of Romania. They doubled up in the pair where they finished ninth

in the Olympics. Denmark are the bronze medallists. They are looking

very dynamic, very dynamic. Very sharp. I thought they may have

nailed it through the middle 500 to much but they have stepped on and

looking very dynamic. They are stretching out here, a length of

Clearwater from Denmark. Romania know they are comfortable. It will

take a massive turn of speed here for Great Britain to get back into

the silver medal position. Look at that water, coming up to the line

here and still Romania are putting the power down and so they should,

they have done it in style. They are the European champions for 2017.

They have opened their Olympiad in fine form. Great Britain's Karen

Bennett and Holly Norton threw in bronze. They will be slightly

disappointed with that, especially given the first 1000 they were in

amongst in the race. The first final but there were

patches where they slipped right out of the race? They were leading it in

the thick of the field. The Romanian pair, dislike them back to the late

early to thousands, we have not seen a strong remaining pair for a long

time but we know they have calibre. They were threat in the early

rounds. The Danish pair were a good calibre. Half the crew were Olympic

medallists. The GB crew were hanging on to the Danish group for most of

the race. It is not a disastrous performance but after their great

result three weeks ago, in a weakened field are admittedly, they

will be disappointed. I still think it is a building block for them. Do

you think some other nations will prioritise this event even more than

we will? The stories round the boat park is that some nations, this is

as big as the World Championships for them. To Great Britain it is

not, it is very much one of the steps on the journey through but it

is a Championships, it is different to a World Cup. The championships

have a higher status in some ways. It is those medals we want to win.

We're just waiting for them to come off the water behind us. Talk

through the mentality they have from a World Cup with a smaller field,

out of what was not really a frying pan, a lukewarm saucepan into what

has been a fire at the European Championships for them. How did they

recover, how do they move on? What we will see in second is the instant

reaction. It is crossing the line, heads down, disappointment, not

quite the race they wanted to have. As the days go on they will realise

how intense those races could be and help with the crews are that they

are up against. As the days go on, as we go into the next World Cups,

they will have learnt a lot in this regatta and right now it may be

painful but they still walk away with the European medal. They are

not where they want to be that they can get there. Here they come off

the water. They are getting some water to drink. It has been a hot

race, hot weekend for all of us in Prague. Come on over, come on over.

Hello. How was that? Yes, it was tough. 750 metres in the race they

started pulling ahead so we probably should have done a better job

sticking with them, we let them get a bit too far ahead and then

struggled to come back in the last 500. And your body language over the

line, there was no punching of the air but there was a hub at least

when you got off the water? Yes, we did a great job, as Holly said, we

let it get away from us and we should have gone with them and we

didn't. It is really frustrating but hopefully, there is more to come, we

will need to wait and see really. It is a very different field and a very

different feeling results wise than three weeks ago in Belgrade, but how

does that race for you to compare with how you raced three weeks ago?

I think three weeks ago was our first international race so it was

all very exciting and we set the standard for our selves there. Now

we always have that standard to come back against and we have to keep

looking back and see how we did. I think maybe compare to that race, it

probably wasn't much better. Just going off the performance, not the

result. That is a bit frustrating. But as long as we learn from it and

move onto the next race, it is not a missed opportunity really. All a

learning experience. Exactly. We will let you going to get your

medals. Congratulations. We will turn our attention to the men's

pair, this is Rossiter and Jacob. Let's see how they get on. -- Jacob

Dawson. This is the final, the men's pair,

Italy threw in first place. The pair from the Czech Republic are in

second place. Now looking heading no number four have Serbia, France and

five and the British group just hanging on, just barely hanging on.

Now a big third 500 is required. Just a nod here to tell you that all

the British crews will be wearing black ribbons throughout this

regatta, in memory of Di Ellis who was a former chair of British Rowing

and also in respect of those who lost their lives in Manchester. The

Brits are about to kick off the Czechs who tried to do a heroic

start in front of their home crowd but that has not lasted the full

length of the course. The Dutch have moved away from the British said

their peripheral vision will be very empty. They will have to keep

nagging their speed. All of the crews apart from the Italians are

moving around the same speed. The initial slow minute from our boys

has put them on the back foot. They have to keep believing and this will

drag them back towards the Serbians and the Dutch. The Serbians putting

the pressure on. The French pair in lane five. The brothers. They're

coming towards the 1500 metres. This is where everything in the bank has

been a foundation, just put the pressure on again. The Italians are

clear. The awards are now from the Italians in lane number three. Great

back in fifth place in the bottom left corner. Still the French going

hard. They are being pushed by the Serbian pair. The Italians, I'm not

sure they can sit back and this because the Italians have used a lot

of energy. The Italians will be enjoying it, yes, but they will be

full of lactic acid. The French, they will be kicking themselves

afterwards, or the coach will be kicking them because they let the

Italians get away too easily. They are probably going the quickest out

there but they have left themselves 2.5 seconds, with 500 metres to go.

It will be interesting to see if the wheels do fall off the Italians'

wagon. They were bronze medallists at the Olympic Games and world

champions in the men's four two years ago. They know how to control

a race here. Responding again, Serbia pushing it hard. The French

name number four, now stretching it out, looking to back the silver

medal. Closest to us is Serbia. The British are in their own battle with

the Netherlands. It is too little, too late from our boys. The

Italians, that is how they do it. From first straight to last, that is

how you race in the men's pair. France get the silver medal and

Serbia getting the bronze. Great Britain come over in their own

battle with the Netherlands in name number two.

So, the men's pair at the back of the field. Will they be disappointed

with that. I think they will be disappointed. Here they found

everything a bit hotter. They have not struggled with the whole regatta

but they have not had it all the roadway. The lead boats in that

field were absolutely flying today. The Serbs who put in a great

performance, the British were ahead of them three weeks ago and that is

frustrating. Is this a testament to the clear out of the men's team from

Rio. There are so few returnees from the Rio team? I'm sure there is an

element of it. The men's team they are trying the four, the pair, they

ate, they are trying all events rather than just focusing on one but

we have seen the Brits can succeed in all events. It is great the boys

are taking it on as a challenge but it is a huge challenge. Let's move

on to the men's lightweight double, it is Will Fletcher and Pete

Chambers. Before that let's catch up with Will Fletcher to hear his

thoughts ahead of the champions. How does it feel, to be a world leader?

It is a good start. We have been together for two weeks. Pete is

enjoying sculling and I am enjoying sculling. You famously rode with

Richard Chambers at the last Olympics, you have swapped brothers,

what is the difference? It is a lot more relaxed with Peter. We had a

bit of an on-off season last year through injuries are things, it did

not quite go to plan. Have you talked about ambitions for the

season? We will go to the first World Cup, we produced a good result

but now it is about getting back to training and focusing on the next

race. It will be difficult. We have the French, the Olympic champions.

People will be gunning for us a bit more now. We also know what we do

but we have still got a few tricks up our sleeve. You are following

Jurgen Klopp lured the chief coach. You have a different coaching setup

-- Jurgen Klopp. How was it different? The lads have done out

for a run, we never used to run but now we're running up and down the

bank. Does he have a lot of contact with you? A surprising amount. He

will come into the crew room and have a word. You say what he has

said and it is cool. We are excited about going out to a race. Halfway

mark, clear water with the Olympic champions, France. Great Britain

coming through and they continue to be in fourth place.

They will have to turn the screw if they are going to take it on. Poland

in name number one. They are pushing hard. They will have looked at the

Times and the speeds of all of these crews from the semifinals and they

will know that the Irish ode on the brothers got quicker and quicker as

they progress. Look at the owls. The Irish now, they have got to cover,

to get the overlap and then the Polish will start attacking the

Italians. I think the Irish have rowed through chambers and Fletcher

and they will be hounding the Italians and the Polish. The

Italians will not want to lose to the Polish crew. They will not want

to lose to someone in the last race of the final. Everything will be

brought to a head because of the Irish. The French have got this into

the bag but the Irish could throw something into the mix. A Markov

what Olympic champions do. They go clear and based have the fastest

boat speed. The Italians are being pushed on by Ireland in the

left-hand part your picture. 500 metres remaining. The Irish are in

another two. They are currently in fourth. They had a good third 500.

They have an overlap on Poland on the right. They have an overlap with

the Italians on your left and they will have to pull hard. They have

done that time and again. They keep their heads up. It is not pretty but

it is effective. I am going with the Irish coming through here to get

onto the medal podium. They have the fastest boat speed race but only by

a fraction. They have more than a fraction to pull back. I feel that

they can get to within a canvas in the last 300 metres but it is going

to be a matter of not just getting close but cracking either the polls

or the Italians. They have gone again. It is gritting your teeth

stuff now. They are right on the edge, right on the limit and 200

metres to go. This is a battle of wills. It is a mindset here. Who

will hold? Who will crack. Will be the Italians -- they will get the

Italians. The Irish put the power against Poland. The Olympic

champions France have gone. They are going to come second. This is

incredible stuff now from Ireland. The ode Donovan brothers who have

pulled like dogs through their career. They are doing it again.

They will get into the silver medal position. France are the European

champions. They are Olympic champions and European champions.

That is the distance of Great Britain coming across the line now

in last place. That shows you where this event is going and how tough it

is and how good you have to be. The Olympic champions are now the

European champions. Disappointing them for Peter Chambers and Will

Fletcher. They would have expected to be a bit quicker than that. If

ever there was a field at European level which is about as hot as it

is, the men's lightweight double it is. Probably a little bit too hot

for the British combination at this stage. As painful as it watch from a

British point of view, you can guarantee it would be worse to be

sitting in that boat at the end. All of those crews voracious racing

across the line and the British limped across at the back of the

field. They will be so disappointed with the result. I do how they will

feel about the performance. It was fast and theories from the start. As

limited before we have a very excited Irish TV and just talk about

the O'Donovans and what they bring to the sport. They bring a very good

athletic level but they also bring so much entertainment. They say the

things we feel as athletes but we do not always say front of a TV camera,

pulling like a dog and all that, all the great turns of phrase is that

makes it real somehow. But let's not forget the amazing success from the

Olympic champions, the French double is spectacular. They were absolutely

brilliant last year. Really, really setting standards in every race they

did. We have not seen them yet this year. We were not sure how they

would come back for a fresh new start for the post-Olympic season.

They are looking good. Gary, Paul, cumin, you are looking tired in the

legs. He does not have the strength to carry the flag. Does it make a

difference in Olympic champions? Sun rowing is rowing. We raised these

guys over the last few years. And Peter. It is great fun of what we

enjoy hanging out with the guys in the boat park. It is great

enjoyment. Will you ever have a race when you're leading in the last 500

instead of storming through? Gives some excitement! Good for the

crowds. We get a bit of enjoyment out of it too. Olympic medallists,

European medallists, what is next? Sun we will go home and then we will

go to the World Cup. We will go to Lucerne. Great performance, great to

see a smiling as ever. Thank you for the chat. Thank you. So we turned to

the winning's lightweight double and that has been a change in

combination for the British crew. The rumour mill is going ten to the

dozen, that has been an official statement from British Rowing about

the change in combination, do we know what is going on? The official

statement is it is about getting success this weekend and Emily

Chambers of the best form of success. I think Charlie and cat had

a traumatic experience back in Rio. They have both talked about that. I

think everything is being dealt with. I think they raced much better

than we have seen in a long time when they raced in Belgrade but in a

tie between Belgrade and Europeans here, things are not really settled.

The idea is they will try a slightly different combination and see what

happens on the field. There is a lot still to play in this dramatic story

of the lightweight winning's doubles and hopefully it will end in

success. OK, out on the water for Copeland and Craig. Great Britain

were looking for a little bit more squeezed as they come into this

regatta. A last minute change brought Emily Craig into the stroke

seat. And with her is Pat Copeland. The Netherlands are in lane of a

one, Romania in two, Italy three, France, four, Poland in a number

six. Netherlands are the Olympic champions.

A really good calibre. Closest to us is Poland.

Weronika Deresz was in the bowl seat. They were seven in the Olympic

Games. We are through 300 metres. Just checking where Great Britain

are. Not about to start at all. Look at the water, absolutely glorious

conditions here. It shows you the crews are on the same level in terms

of weight. This is an eyesight from a spectator's point of view. The

British had the worst start but they have settled into a good pace. They

are clawing back on the French in the lane outside them. It is a good

start. They are in the mix where for the first 200 metres they did not

seem to have the pace but now they have to hold that speed right

through the middle of the race which they did not do in the first World

Cup. Let's see if the change has been a positive one as well as the

field getting stronger. They are settling at their race

pace, the Italian, all the Italian, whether men, women, continue to be

high, they like that sort of speed of quick strokings but they have to

be efficient. The Italians sitting in about third place, on a stroke

per stroke basis. Closest on this side Poland. Starting to come down

again. You see Britain holding on 35, France on 34. The Italians have

move down to 36 strokes again. Again, finding that rhythm, that

all-important platform. The Brits' rhythm is strong, after a less than

sparkling first minute of the race, they have held the speed of everyone

but the French, they are coming back into the mix. It will be interesting

in the third quarter of this race. This is where it really start. The

lactic acid built up in the first half will be there and you still

have 1,000 metres left. At 18 years of age Claire Bove is the stroke

woman, at the half way mark, she is the youngest of all the finalists

here, and she is leading the French crew, in phenomenal style here in

this first thousand metres but this is now the real danger zone. The

third five where positions start to change. Do we push up 1100, 1200 or

1250? All round you start moving round. The British crew are closest.

One up Craig an Copeland, again going well. The Olympic champions at

the top, from Netherlands. You see they, they are in the group but

everything they have done so far has kept them in the group. This is a

phenomenal now final here. 2017 lightweight women's double scullses

a the European Championships and Great Britain, they came, Emily

Craig came in last minute for Charlotte Booth. Looking for boat

speed. It seems to be there. It does now, it was here with 750 metres

left the last time they raced. It was from this point on wards that

with booth in the crew they started to slow down, so now there is a

chance they can make the podium here, I think the French have gone,

but the rest of the field is covered by half a lent. If the Brits can

stick with the the Pole, they could find themselves on the podium. The

perfect lane between the two fastest crew, the French and the Pole, they

can stick with them, and drawn in a race with them, we could see on the

podium. That is perfect. It will be very close for Kat Copeland and

Emily Craig because they are in the bronze medal position but they are

being chased by Italy in lane three, Romania in lane two and in lane one

are the Olympic champions from Netherlands. Here we go, last 500

metres. 50 stroke, they will have had it planned, right down to each

and every single stroke here. They will know what they need to do and

the British crew will have to step on and step on again, because coming

hard at them Rodini and Cesarini from Italy. Romania, they lead,

making calls here and that alsos is a -- affected. Netherlands, the

Olympic champions are still in this fight.

And the Netherlands and Romanians have an advantage. They are fighting

for the bronze medal but they are next to each other. They could find

themselves drawing level with the British, who, although they are

right in the mix, are a long way behind Poland. But France, they have

cooked their goose early and they could be coming off the boil. It is

all to play for now. Emily Craig having come in late to the British

crew, on thes of experience. The French have blown. The Italian on

the far side. The Italians in lane three, they have gone to the left.

They are out. France in four pushing on, Great Britain in fifth have to

watch out. Look how close it is. It is nip end tuck. Terrible on each

and every stroke, one crew moves on, the other sits back. It is anybody's

call here, up at the first, our first full view of Netherlands.

Paulis to the left of your picture, calling it for everything, for the

last part. We are down to 75 metre, there is a bit under ten strokes

remaining. Closest we have Poland in lane six, Poland coming up right in

front of the commentary position, and Great Britain are going to look

to be on the podium. They are currently in bronze medal. They will

fight the last couple of strokes up to the line for the bronze medal.

They are coming through in bronze and Netherlands on the top, it looks

like they came across an it took a huge effort from the Olympic

champion, Netherlands, just to secure into the silver medal

position. Craig and Copeland, they were consistent through that. Some

of the crews have been together all winter and these girls have been

together less than a week, that was in a strong field, in a really tough

event, it was a perfect starting position.

So of all the crews from the British team here at the European

Championships think we would have put the women's lightweight fairly

low on the medal wish list. That has been fantastic. I hope they are

pleased with that. Again, it was like we saw in the men's race, fast

and furious racing all the way the line. Changing were happens in the

last few hundred metres and that is when you have to keep your head

clear, focus and I know how to get across the line. With a new

combination that is when it can come under the biggest test. They nailed

it. In a new combination like that, how do you divide who does what?

They might have started with a handshake, how are we going to do

this? They know each other, you need to know each other's strengths and

weakness, we can ask them ourselves. Come on in. Don't hang about.

Congratulations. How was that? Yes, it was savage. We knew like going

into it, everyone was going to be like, there are six boats so it

could have come from anywhere. It was like using the people round us

but a bit in the last bit just like sort of heads down and do whatever

we could. So, yes, I think it's pretty good as a first regatta. What

were you thinking in the last dying stages studio I hadn't got a clue

what was going on, I was just doing what Kat told me to do. And putting

in what we had been working on in the ten days we had together. I mean

we didn't know what has happened when we crossed the line, so to find

out, we got a medal was just, I just, yeah. How do you decide who

does what in the boat? How do you play to your strengths when it is

still new? One thing we talked about was bringing what make eaches of us

a great athlete into this and working together, but bringing,

bringing together what makes us great as individuals. So with

decisions to be made now about what is going forward. You will see your

coach in a few minute, what are you going to be saying to him? Erdots

dots we have been working on length and that is all that has been

shouted at us, so he will say we could have rowed longer, but, I

think we just said, we will go and race and see where we are, we don't

know what is happening yet. All we can do is enjoy it and see how good

we can do. It is not up to us, yes. They will put out whatever they

think is the fastest. Has it been tough for you. Yes, I think I would

be lying if I said it I hadn't. It has been really tough, but you know,

I think it is testament to our group we have five or six fantastic girls

and we can put out a mixture of combinations and whatever we put out

will be up there, so I have got confidence in that, and I have

confidence in the coaches, to get us in the right place.

Well done, what a fantastic performance for you both to come

away with a medal. Enjoy the ceremony. Than, more than

Belgrade. So from the women's lightweight

double to the men's four. Another event we have great history in. Let

us see how they get on. It has been a while since we have

seen a British crew in lane two, that is where Great Britain are in

the final of the men's four. From lane one, develop of the mixture

Romania, Great Britain in two, Russia if three, watch them now,

they will be out quick and fast in this first 100, that is the British

crew, some lane orders since we, seed order change, Moe Sbihi comes

to stroke. Callum McBrierty is sitting in the three. Satch is in

two. The Italians in four. All of these were bronze medals in the

Olympic Games last year, in two boats. The men's pair and the men's

four. The Italians going out fast. Led now by the stroke seat.

Netherlands in five, lane six France. The Italians 45 strokes a

minute, which is high. That is high, but the, that is like trying to run

with holding your breath. They will build up lactic acid. But the good

thing is, from their perspective there may be in debt but they are

leading the race. The worst is if you go off that hard you are not

winning. That is not text book rowing. The Dutch hitting, I don't

know if they are hit a buoy which has put them out. You can still see

they are down on the line. They are in lane five. Still the Italians as

we're go through the 500 metre mark. About a third of a length now over

Russia in lane three, and Great Britain will be reasonably pleased

with this start, in that they have got through the 500 metre mark, they

are in the mix, they are in the pack, and for them now, it is all

about length and just finding that rhythm. How hard will it be on Will

Satch moving into the two seat. First and foremost, they are closer

to the Russians than yesterday, so they will be happy. For Will, to be

honest he would rather be in the two seat and win than in the stroke seat

and lose. It is a bit of a snub. He has paid the price of having his

seat shifted, but, if they beat the Italians who weren't in the race

last time out, then, it will have moved on and he can cope with that.

You want to hear your anthem not someone es's. Still the Italians are

on 40. They are racing like they are racing an eight. The men's eight you

go along at 40 strokes a minute. This is the coxless four

heavyweights and the Italians are all seasoned professionals here,

just almost now out to one length, as we head to the half way mark on

the far side. Romania still quick. This Romanian crew have come out of

nowhere. The 20-year-old in the stroke seat. He is suddenly finding

form. Half way mark, through in clear water just the Italian, they

have taken it out the start. Consolidated in the second. The

British crew are in fifth. They could be happy with themselves. They

won't be. We are used to see the British crew go through half way a

lent up. We have seen the Italians go through a length up and not a

lent up on Britain, they are two lengths up on Britain, I have yet to

see in the last five or six years a Romanian crew have a good three

races in a regatta. They may have a good heat or representative but that

is it. The Romanians and the Russians have put together a good

series of races, and the dangerous is now having watched the Dutch have

that shipwreck the British could be involved. What has gone wrong? First

500 they would have been happy with that. They were in and among it.

That were closers to the Russians. It is too much of a task for Moe

Sbihi, to focus on getting that rhythm? That is a, the thing is,

that what with we were told is don't make the race faster than you need

it to be. Just make sure you are in the mix. The British four, from the

heat and the semi, they knew they had to be fast, so they have gone

out and they have had to try and make the race fast, and they were in

the mix. But they are making the very fast, they got into debt and

they weren't at the sharp end. Now they are paying the price. The

Italians are three hens up. 1500 through the Italians still at 40.

They have clean water. Water. The French have a race ahead, and Great

Britain still in that fifth position, so the middle thousand has

not been so ineffectual more the British crew. There is a major

possibility here that the British crew won't get on to the podium

here. It is clear water, so the amount of work they have to do to

get into a medal posed you position is just phenomenal. They won't get

on the podium. And to be honest I think that is is a good thing,

because if you are going to get a kicking get a good kicking and it

will force the whole structure and team to think we immediate to go

back and sort it out for the next race. This is not good enough. This

crew, in this order, they will not get back on terms so they need to

switch it round or change personnel. Look, we talked about this, look at

the right-hand side, the Italian, up high but they are long. Long

sweeping stroke, they quick and on it, the legs go down but the length

and we compare and contrast to the British crew, they are starting to

straighten up. Beyond being on the back foot they will not they are not

getting on the podium. The race for the silver medal on far side.

Romania in lane one, pushing it on hard. The Romanians got beaten by

the Brit in the the semi yesterday. This is why the Brits will be in the

way. The Italians really have done it in style today, European

champions, and being pushed to it by Romania in second, Russia in third

and the British crew will be in fifth. The head down, major upset

here. This isn't just a World Cup regatta, this is a European

Championship. So a big marker at the opening stage of this Olympiad, and

the British Heavyweight men's four has come in fifth position.

If ever there was a boat with a bit of history behind it. That was the

men's four. It is surprise we haven't got anywhere near a medal.

We have seen they were nowhere where they would like to be and people

expect them to be. That result will be a shock to hem and also to the

rest of the team. It is, to see the boat be hit badly by that result is

quite big. It is not often you can can the question about whether

Jurgen has anything wrong, if you have the stroke of the Olympic eight

and a gold medallist in the middle, and Moe Sbihi stroking the four who

doesn't really have a track record of stroking, is everything all right

in the men's four? It is an interesting question, I mean, we

have seen Jurgen, he moves crews round, he tries different things.

Moe Sbihi is an Olympic medallist in his own right. It is not a bad thing

to have tried. It is whether Jurgen will put that result down to the

order or if there is something more behind the scenes. Which ever way

you paint it is disappointing. What does Jurgen do now. He will say that

is not our level. That is not our level. I don't think that is is

right. Then what happens? He will say let's not talk about it today,

we will talk about it tomorrow and you will go home, fly hope, there

will be a sort of Moody silence on the plane home tonight I would

imagine. To be fair that is with a lot of crews we have seen, some have

been surprises in a positive way. Great result, positive step forward

for a lot of crew, some we are seeing not where they want or need

to be. But probably that answer, it takes time. Let it bed in, look at

the run up, how the training went and make decisions going forward.

OK, next event in the women's quad. Let us hope for another positive

surprise, back out to Gary and James.

As we go into the third 500 of this final of the women's sculls, Great

Britain in five. They have given themselves a platform in which to

step on. Holly Nixon laid none the three seat, Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne

two, Bethany Bryan in the bow seat for the British crew. They have

given themselves a brilliant platform. They were sitting fourth

at half way, they have to step on, take that confidence and keep the

length but now we want more speed. You can watch the legs go down, the

speed of rate hasn't changed. I would expect Great Britain to be 34,

starting to push on, so they have classy crews on either side. Two

returning from that boat. On their left, lane six the Olympic

champions, Germany, a different line up but a great pedigree, they have

to keep right on it. And the Poles as well. If you said to the British

girls, right you will behind Germany and Poland, they would have taken

that and right now they have a chance to get the bronze medal over

Poland. This is a very good performance and they are right

behind the Dutch. Sensational middle, third 500 now for Great

Britain, led by Holly Nixon, we are looking there at Germany. Stroking

through the last 500 metre, so just checking the positions then. So

Germany still one length ahead of Great Britain, who are this third

place, they have moved up from fourth, so turning that screw in the

third 500 metre. They could surprise themselves here. They could get the

Dutch. That would have been way ahead of expectation, what the

Germans are showing is the robust belief you have from being

successful, yes they they be new to the event, Germany are good in the

quad. 400 out, the British crew responding. Now they want to be

hungry, they want to hunt it down and think, we are keeping the

overlap. The overlap on Germany which we are looking at, will get us

level and through, that is your mind set, the Dutch who are the Olympic

silver medallist, they are behind, and two of that crew are back in

that boat there, they are half a lent down, we are inside about 200

metres now, 20 stroke, 20 of best strokes of their careers so far are

required to become silver medallists at the European Championship,

Germany are closest to us, on the far side Netherlands in lane four,

the experience of Netherlands you would have thought should hold the

British charge. They are no going to give to it the British. This is a

good, good race from our girls. Brilliant display from Great Britain

in the sculls, last 100 out there. Germany have been sensational from

the off. They have held the European nations against them. To the line,

it is Germany European champions, Netherlands on the silver medallist

and Great Britain are bronze medallists. That is a job very well

done. They are screaming and exhausted and they can demonstrate,

we can enjoy that, given that right the way through they have done

everything that was asked of them. They can be very pleased with that.

The Dutch will be disappointed. Their silver medal behind Germany at

the Olympic, they thought they could cake take out a fresh German crew.

The British girls to take out the Poles that is a big step forward.

There was a point where we thought they might get the Dutch. Next time

out they should be aiming for them. If our body language was slumped

after the men's four, that is a huge fillip for everyone to have. That is

unexpected. Today seems to be feast or famine. It is, we didn't expect

the result coming in, it feels disappointing or amazing success

that three weeks' ago you wouldn't have predicted that result. Back in

Belgrade it was a small field. They were third out of three. We were

sort of thinking about measuring them against the competitors they

were racing back then but they have done better. The Dutch and the Poles

they finished behind in Belgrade have got, both crews have got

athletes that are Olympic medallists and weer were saying in Belgrade,

this is a young inexperienced crew from the British team, so perhaps

the third would have been disappointing to them. However, they

can step up from there, they have stepped on three week, they are

beating crews that beat them three weeks' ago and putting in a mature

level of racing, they were behind, they weren't where they wanted to be

and then they kept their heads and moved through the field. There was a

moment in ta race, Gary and James picked it out where they were

slipping behind and the race was moving away from them, and just at

the moment they needed to dig in and hang on they did. Yes, and that is

that decision making in the heat of battle. And you know, you can get

that from experience, these girls are learning that all the time.

Every race they are out there they will pick up something more, that is

what we want to see from them. They are a young crew, loving life. That

were disappointed with Belgrade but they have bounced back, they have

come back and they would have been thrilled by that race that, the

racing you want. You want it to be in the mix of it and changing

happening all time. How is the gap between Belgrade and here? It was

tough, but, like, hard work got us here, so we worked so hard and just

had to trust, had to trust each other. Made some big changes. We

didn't have an easy run from here to Belgrade. It put us in the right

place. We had to trust each other and that is what got us down. What

did you work on physically and mentally. To take on that level of

racing is impressive. We changed the order round and committed in

training to just letting the boat do the work for us and I think that

really paid off in the middle, because we knew our start wasn't the

fastest, as the Polish or Dutch. We knew if we stuck to our guns it

would pay off. Holly finished us off. How did it feel from there?

Nervewracking, it was my first time. I had a good unit behind me. They

fed the rhythm back to me, it was a full crew effort. Well done, we will

be enjoying the ceremony with you. Thank you.

So from a successful women's quad we turn to the men's event. It is

another unit with a lot of changes through injury and illness, before

we see them race, let us catch up with one of the team members Johnny

Walton. I think the best bit has to be

racing, like all the hard work that we do in rowing, all the winter

miles, all the early mornings, all the cold stars, to be side by side

with six other international crews like, that is what we train for and

what we do it for. For training it has to be Australia on a river that

we did, that was, yes, just so beautiful, like jungle either side

and then for racing, it did have its moments but Rio lake with Christ the

redeemer looking down, it was a magical backdrop.

It has to be John Collins who have rowed with for the last three

seasons. Seasons. We are almost like a married couple, ending each

other's sentences in the boat. Psychologically linked, some might

say. Through the thousand metres, six

boats. 24 rower, I was going to say the eye is drawn to the name of one

person, Olaf Tufte in the crew from Norway, in lane three, but they,

they could do something here, a bit of a Sorcerer and his three

apprentices going on in that boat. He is in the back, he is the back

end of pack, so a good third 500 might get him in contention for a

bronze medal. Out front is Lithuania, being pushed or having

taken on the lead from Great Britain, Great Britain set the early

speed in the first 500 metres. Out to the half way mark. From there,

really, coming through half way mark, Lithuania said thank you, we

will take it from here, they have done that into the third 500.

But good story from the British quad and a good race so far. Closest to

us here Poland. Look at the Norwegians. Third from the top. They

were three seconds behind after 500 metres and now they are coming up

into fourth and they will be, the next is Great Britain. Great Britain

are ahead of them now, they will be charging and Pete Lambert has left

everything out there. The Lithuanians have a better rhythm and

it is up to our boys to hold on. They are in a perfect position to

get on podium. The Norwegians are coming through hard. So as we come

through 1500 metre, the Lithuanian boat is travelling beautifully

between strokes here, it is running on over the water, they make it look

easy. It is far from but when all the ingredients come together, these

things can fly. Look at that. That is an amazing difference here and

Great Britain are on the far side. It is a different approach. It St a

more brutal in terms of pushing it along here. They don't have the

experience in this boat in terms of Lithuanian, and what not, they have

to rely on sheer power, brute and upstairs, all in the head here, as

we Colin to the closing stages. 400 out. The Brits are racing well. They

have put their hand in the flame from the start. They are holding on.

The Lithuanians are going quicker than everyone else. The British are

going the same speed as everyone else. That is what they need to do.

This is a brave race. They could get on the podium. Braver. Olaf Tufte

stroking the Norwegian crew in lane three. 41. He is coming on strong

now, in terms of challenging Great Britain up there in lane one.

Challenging Poland in lane six. Watch the crew in the middle lane

three, sneak, it is like they are going to rob a medal here, they are

going to steal a medal from Great Britain or Poland and you are never

write off Olaf Tufte. Making it easy, Lithuania will look back on

the fight. The silver medal goes to Poland and the Italians third. We

will have to wait for confirmation, one thing for sure Lithuania are a

class act. The Lithuanians raced very well.

They weren't thrown by the Brits storming out in the start. They got

into a great rhythm. That carried them through the middle. By the end

we had four crews going for two medals and unfortunately it look

like the Brits have finished on the negative side of that.

So the women's adequate disappearing down the steps with their medal.

Less positive about the men's quad, but I don't think realistically we

could expect them to be in a medal position? I don't know the we should

be less positive. It would have been lovely to see the men's quad on the

podium. We have had a change of personnel because of illness, that

unsettles the boat. Pete coming in, stroking that boat, they put

themselves in the best position to get a medal. It was a brave piece of

racing, in the end it wasn't enough. But I think a big move on from what

we have seen. Let us take a moment to take a pause from the action, out

on the water, the British team this weekend are wearing black ribs on

their racing strip. Gary and James have mentioned this twice. It has

been both because of the atrocity in Manchester last weekend, and because

of the passing of the Chairman of British rowing Dai Ellis, and the

current holder of that position is Annamarie Fhelps, who joins me to

talk about Dai. You knew her probably in an about release

capacity and administrator, what was she like? She was an incredible

woman. She had a presence about her. When she was there you felt

confident. You felt things were OK, Di is here, she is reassure, and a

fantastic mentor adviser to so many women and men across British sport.

I can never remember as an athlete or involved in the sport since,

having an argument with Di, but you and especially as an ex-coxon, you

were never aware of her opinion, she was never aggressive about anything.

No, she never told you what to do. She always asked the right

questions, she was able to sort of influence and change the way you

thought by just questioning and asking you things she had a slight

his determined glint in her eye which sometimes was wicked. She was

amazing, most fantastic sort of calming influence, think on the team

and the organisation. OK, let's turn our attention to the

winning's eight, an event which Di as a Cox would have liked to have

had a chance on. Let's go back onto the water with Garry and James.

We are at the halfway mark in this women's eight. Great Britain are

well poised in this event. Romania are sitting in Lane number five. We

have just to watch the Netherlands. They are poised to move strongly in

this. The British crew look like they are front loading it. They have

to keep it long that key bit hard, just bang out 25 long hard strokes.

The Dutch, they have a real natural flow and it is easy floating speed

from the Dutch in Lane number four. The Dutch are a very even paced

nation. They do not go out hard, they pace it well. The British crew,

they are a new crew. They do not want to have a fatal discharge at

the end, yes, they may suffer in the last 500 metres but they have to put

together a really good 1500 metres, the Dutch crew are going to be hard

to hold now. Keep bit long up in the British crew.

All of them really now coming together stop this now is about

keeping Russia in number three. Sensational stuff. 1500 metres and

they have been absolutely incredible. Romania in Lane number

five, they have taken with them the crew from the Netherlands in Lane

number four. The race now is on the bronze medal between Great Britain

and Russia. The British crew really nailed it hard in that first 500.

They consolidated a good position in the race. Have they expended too

much energy in that? A young crew. They should just row with flair now.

Key bit long, keep it good but just go for it. It doesn't matter, they

have done brilliantly in the first 1000 metres. Now it is like race for

medals, hold off the Russians and enjoyed it. Good thing is they won't

be enjoying it now because they redlined it in the first half. But

they did not race for bronze. If they raced for bronze they could be

enjoying it more but they have put themselves in a position to try and

be first and second but now they are in a dogfight with the Russians for

bronze. Romania looking like the Romanian aids of old. They're

getting that speed. As soon as the Blades have covered, the boat has

gone. Our goals are going to miss out to the Russians, I think. Once

your speed starts to go in and eight, it you cannot get it back.

Brilliant at 1500 metres, sensational. Coming towards the line

for the European Championship title. Romania getting the gold medal now.

Come from the Netherlands and the Russians having more in the tank in

the last 500 metres. Russia taking the bronze and Great Britain coming

through in fourth place. That is a brilliant fourth place. They will be

disappointed to be off the medals but they did everything in the first

1000 metres. They will go back and say let's put the next 500 together

and step-by-step as we head towards the World Championships. So, the

cross in fourth. Probably some inexperience in bat crew. We were

talking about dialysis. -- we were talking about Di Ellis. The

remaining crew were looking classy. The remaining crew won the pairs

event a few hours earlier. They already have winning experience in

that boat already and they showed their class today. I think it is

still very new, very developing for the British crew. We have seen bits

of them which have shown they have some speed where it is important

that speed but now they have to extend it for longer. The next

British boat to go is Victoria Thornley in the single sculls. We

thought, who could we send along to see Vicky, have a good cup of tea

and a chinwag? Hello! Welcome. Is the cattle on?

Yes. You are making tea again, it is like being back in training camp?

Isn't it just? The last time we did something in front of a BBC camera

it was in front of Copacabana by beach. Thornley and Granger. They

will need to have one last push. Legs down and harder, harder again.

The last five, they are hanging on. Poland getting Olympic gold. It is a

silver medal today. It stands testament to the power of self

belief. There is the closing ceremony and

they say join us and we will do it again in four years' time, did you

think no way or maybe or sign me up already? I think I was maybe virgin

towards yes but I knew I needed a bit of time to decompress and think

about it properly because it is a long time, for years, so you have to

be fully committed. I knew I needed to take many holidays before it. Did

it feel different having that Olympic medal in your pocket? Yes,

in London we did amazing things post-Olympics, but there is always

that feeling that I was devastated with the result, but having my

silver medal there made everything nicer. I was really smiling from

deep down because it was so special. Does it still feel that way now,

nine months on? Yes. Sometimes I go into my drawer to see where the

medleys and I just hold it because it is heavy. It is nice to get it

out now now and then. Lets go and see you doing hula hoop again. Maybe

you should try to expect no! This is a lovely garden. It is a bit of

serenity. Do you use it as a haven when all. Things are happening in

the rowing world? Yes, it is nice to come back to and look out on the

fields. It is a bit of serenity for post-rowing. Howl easy is it for you

to switch off? I'm getting better. I used to be terrible. I have other

things in my life now to distract me when I'm not in the boat and I think

that is good. To be thinking about constantly when you're not in the

boat is exhausting. For recovery mentally it is good to think about

other things. We had a challenging last part of the journey leading up

to Rio and there was a point when you could have walked away within

two months of the games. I think that showed how much it had affected

me and how much it had taken out of me. The processors I had put in

place since London and I felt it was not paying off like I had hoped it

would and at that point I was in a really low place. I knew if we were

going to go with the double I needed to give you and the boat deserved

the drive to drive it on for the next two months and I needed to find

that and make sure I could sign up for that and actually I found out I

had a bit more strength than I thought in that area and when we got

back in the double, it was probably the most enjoyable time, even though

the pressure was highest with six weeks to go. It was the most

enjoyable time we had had in the boat. Since then you have decided to

go solo. Does it feel a different level for you now? A different

ambition and project? I know the challenge I am faced in the single.

It is a vent but it is something I want to try and crack if I can. It

is something I enjoy. Not many people enjoy rolling around on their

own for hundreds of col matters but I enjoy it. It is different,

one-on-one. The shack hundreds of kilometres. It is a bit different.

The silver medal going to Vicky Thornley. A great start to 2007 four

Vicky Thornley. This is your third Olympiad now. Did you ever think

about being a star athlete when you are first headhunted for this, this

is what you would be doing? Know, even after London I thought Rio and

that would be it but this sport gets you hooked, as you no! I cannot deny

that. It does help you win and you constantly want to see what you're

capable of. For me, it is that, it is a kind of personal Kyrgios city

of where can I get to, how good can I be? -- it is a personal Kyrgios

city. -- If you get it wrong in a single, you

get it very wrong. There is no one else to carry your bags for you.

Latvia in one, Sweden in two, Great Britain, Vicky Thornley, 29 years of

age, sitting in three. It is the first time of her choosing to come

out in a single sculls. Previously in 2014 and 2013 she finished

eighth. She is a different sculler this time. As is the competitor in

Lane eight, she would be the first one who has competed under the old

USSR flag. When I was competing in the Junior Championships she was

there. I stopped 12 years ago and she is still going! She is an

amazing athlete. If Vicky was going to do anything,

she was not going to have it all her own way.

Germany at the 500 meter mark by a length, Vicky Thornley currently in

fourth place. That is OK, these boats can change very quickly. A

quick easy speed. A length isn't a big difference. A length in a

single, with a changing with them and getting the pace, you can make

that up Fred quickly. It is not where she would like to be. Within a

length, it is OK. She has already clawed that back to half a length.

When we'll start to come off, they start to come. There is a long way

to go in the singles still. There is Fie Erichsen from Denmark.

She was fourth in the Olympics. It is a difficult event. Raising 2000

metres on your own. You have to go through that process a number of

times to work out how to do it. Vicky is on that learning curve. She

has probably got more potential than Fie Erichsen that she has more

experience. Without a doubt Vicky Thornley has had a very strong

second 500. She has really paced herself well. They will be fighting

it out as we move into the third 500 metres. At 44 years of age,

Ekaterina Karsten, this is her 26 international season and she is in

amongst it all causing problems, disrupting at all. It is brilliant,

fantastic. In name three, still hunting, Vicky Thornley, long,

strong strokes, as you would expect. It looks like Fie Erichsen just

putting on a bit more pressure and Annekatrin Thiele from Germany is

the one who had about the length of clear water going into the second

500. She is struggling now. Fie Erichsen never really found her form

after London 2012. She took a couple of years. It is her experience

versus Vicky's potential and Vicky is a better athlete. That is the

battle now. In terms of raw speed, I think Vicky has it but in terms of

raising now, Fie Erichsen has it. At the moment Vicky is winning the

battle but the finish line is a decider. This is the first time in

her career at a major championships, Vicky Thornley hits the front. She

has two consolidate that. Depending on how she feels, she is not giving

anything away in her facial expression. She now has two back

herself. That is what he have to do in the single sculls. She thinks I

do not want to leave this now to chance. Step on, step one. She has

to shut the door now. She is sitting there, Fie Erichsen can still feel

her presence but if she shuts the door, kicks on by another campus,

she will be out of the peripheral vision and take to the cleaners.

When a margin is this type, you're still susceptible. They have dropped

Ekaterina Karsten from Belarus. She is in fourth place. There are three

boats vying for Gold medal. We have Vicky Thornley from Great Britain,

Fie Erichsen from Denmark in a number four, Annekatrin Thiele in

Lane number five. She is not dead yet. She is coming back. I didn't

think Vicky will let her back in. All class scullers. Vicky Thornley

has gone out. She has responded to that. Responded to the German. It

does not look like Fie Erichsen has enough in the tank. She has been

like a shark or the layout to 1250, then the decisive move came and she

has jumped out of a length of clear water. Now again she has to think,

going through the last 250 metres, one more push will absolutely

anything clear water and that will do it. Looking back at Fie Erichsen

of Denmark. But the German sculler Annekatrin Thiele from Germany is

starting to move back again. She has got an overlap. We are about 200 out

here. It is not all over yet for Vicky Thornley. Vicky is high in the

rate. She has gone. But Annekatrin Thiele is matching her. She has gone

off hard. She has not got long enough to hope the wheels fall off

Vicky's truck. She has raised Eriksson. 100 out from the line

here. Look at Ekaterina Karsten. The old warhorse is coming back to the

party. She is absolutely bursting through in number 60. She is

instilled a medal position. Vicky Thornley will have to hang on. It

will be a desperate last few strokes that Vicky Thornley, European

champion. Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus came right through out of

nowhere. The last 200 metres when Denmark and Germany were asleep.

Caught napping. Ekaterina Karsten of 44 years of age is the European

silver medallist that Vicky Thornley from Great Britain made history here

again. European champion in the single skull for Great Britain. A

fantastic effort. There will be all sorts of people in the British

Rowing setup who will be breathing a fire of relief. What a race for

Victoria Thornley. Absolutely. That was the race of the day for me by a

long way. We always talk about the singles event of being a real mind

game, one-on-one. Fair play to Ekaterina Karsten who is coming in

at the grand old age. The old warhorse she was called in

commentary! That is when you still have it here and the body can

respond. An incredible fight to the end. For Vicky, really holding her

nerve. She moved to where she needed to and suddenly, that immense battle

at the end. She is taking her time coming towards us because she is not

walking well but she has got weeks to recover. And so nicely poised and

paced throughout the race. You never got the impression she put all of

her cards down on the table, she always had a little bit in reserve

and she needed it until the dying few strokes. We saw the taste of

that in Belgrade when she got into a fight for the silver medal. She is

always worried if she has enough at the end of the race and she has

trained twice in a row that she does.

Come on, we can hear from you. I had to bide my time and I thought I will

have to come through now and I kept plugging away at it. I think that

about all 50 I broke away from the Dane. It was tricky. I had to

readjust and pick up a bit. I really pleased. I have not been a champion

at anything since I was here eight years ago so European champion is

cool. I think European champion in a single scull something Britain

hasn't done for a decade. It is a superb achievement. Thank you very

much. No stage in the race did it look that you had put all your cards

down on the table. It looked very poised and controlled. I think I

executed it well but it was probably less calm and controlled as it was

three weeks ago but I managed to stay ahead. Where are you on the

scale of where you think you are and where you could be? I do know. It is

hard to know. I did not come back until January into full-time

training. I am still really building back-up to my best fitness. That

will take a bit longer but it is good that it is a long season for

me. Who is left to come into the event, dear even care? I got beaten

by the Swiss three weeks ago. She is not here today. I am very aware that

she put down a big market in Belgrade. New Zealand, America,

Canada? Exactly, a lot of people to come into it. We will wait and I

will enjoy this for now. So you should. Well-deserved. We have won

the British crew left ago added as the men's eight. I will throw you

for the last time today over to the commentators, Garry and James.

Halfway mark, men's championships, by NN, just, Poland and Russia. It

is a really critical position. The British crew have got to maintain

the momentum, keep the speed and the length. Rather than pushing to stay

up, you want to be on the front that rather than the back foot. You want

to be pushing from a positive position. Therein a watershed other

men in their race. They can go down one side and end up battling for

bronze or they can go down the other side and end up in last place. At

the moment, it is very difficult to see where it is going. The Romanians

are having a bad race. They are in the third 536 strokes a minute you

cannot be in 36 strokes a minute in a European Championship final in

men's eight and be down there and expect to be in the medals. Poland

pushing an hard there. Germany got the Clearwater. You can see they

have relaxed. They will still keep the pace but you will see the boat

flying. Look. The blades come out, the boat travels on, the blades come

out, the boat travels on. Journey have lost three World Championships

and an Olympics to us. They will not go through the same thing again.

When you have one of the eight returning you end up battling the

Germans for first place. Great Britain have slipped back from

fourth into fifth position here so they really are on the back foot.

Germany led from the 250 metre mark. They have established an incredible

footprint. They go out, lead and dominate. You are seeing Russia in

Lane and the five. The Russians will be putting down water on the left

side. They will be putting blades on Great Britain who are sitting in

Lane number six. That will disrupt the rhythm in the British crew here.

They are coming to the last 250 metres. I think it will be between

Great Britain and Romania for who will not be in sixth place for the

final. Germany are doing what they do well. Show everyone else the

shark is back. This is Germany of old here. Still they go hard and

still be boat runs and they want more from it and they are getting

more from it. They pick it up and it flies on. Clearwater just from

Poland on the far side. The Netherlands in Lane number one. Here

come the Netherlands. The Netherlands are storming back into

the silver medal position. Can they catch the Polish on the line? No,

no, no. They paddle the last 200. The Netherlands

came through and it just shows you the level here. You get to 500 out

and you crank it up. You get to 250 out and the race starts again. Great

Britain sadly were not in either of those two positions. That is all

from us here in Racice. We will be back presenting coverage of the

winning's Henley regatta. There will be highlights on BBC Two from five

o'clock. Stay tuned for highlights of the Great Manchester Run which

took place earlier today. And the athletics continues building up to

the World Championships in August. Highlights from the Diamond League

meeting at Eugene tomorrow at 1pm. So, all the medals have been

decided. James has run across to join us to reflect back on the whole

weekend from Great Britain. Perhaps a bit lopsided? Lopsided in that the

men won nothing, the heavyweight men or the lightweight men for as long

basher which is the first time for as long as I can remember. The women

picked up medals but they raced incredibly well as well. It was

great to see Vicki come through and win the singles. She battled hard.

And if you want your first gold medal to be in the same podium as

anyone then Ekaterina Karsten is probably a good one. And a great

Championship for the British winning? Yes, there is a new

different look after Rio. All the big names stepped away. Vicky took a

while to come back. Like James said, you have seen them compete properly

at that event. A lot of them were close to medals. What you want is

that burnishing themselves in the ferocity of competition and they did

that today and it was lovely to see. Should we be readying ourselves in a

position of British Rowing where we have to steady ourselves? We were

top in Rio and somewhere in the top ten but not much higher? There was

always going to be a rebuilding process. The good thing is we did so

badly that you will have to focus everything now. And you can learn

from the Italians today in that they won races that they should not have

won by holding their hand in the flame and done it from the start and

seeing how long they could hold on for. This is what we have got, if

you can match us, that will and hurt and we can beat you. We are going to

dominate it and race it from the front and if you can catch us then

good luck to you. We talked a lot about lanes and the weather and how

other countries are taking it more seriously than the British are, are

those excuses or reasons? There will be one factor and many factors

today. The weather did not make all those results that we saw today. It

might have had some impact. I think the thing is for now for today, the

British crew, more questions have been asked and answered right now.

It is a good time to go away and find those answers and work out what

went wrong and what went right. Undoubtedly the British team will

not be happy with those results but they can be used to get on much

better next time. That is it from us in Prague. We will be back in three

weeks' time. From all of the team here, a special farewell and

Godspeed to Di Ellis. Goodbye.