In a slight surprise, Germany took the honours at the top of the medal table at the European Championships in Debrecen, ahead of host Hungarians. They won equally two competitions, and a French and a Czech winner was applauded beside them.

German mastership showed itself mainly in the so called traditional contests, they conquered both in Women’s and Men’s team competition. In the Men’s the German’s finished in tie with Czechs. They did not only make the same final result but performed likewise in the combined event as well, so the ranking was determined on the fact that, beforehand, German’s won an event, which was the fencing. The Lithuanians finished third. In the women’s competition Germaany’s victory was more convincing, though Hungarians and British stood in a better position after three events. Theese two teams ended up talking second and third place.

In the Individual Women’s competition a big battle went on for the gold medal between the two time World Champion Amélie Cazé (FRA) and Olympic Champion Lena Schoneborn (GER). Finally the French pentathlete could save, versus German rival, some of her advantage accumulated during the first three events. Lithuanian World #1 Donata Rimsaite, crossed the finish line third on a day when riding event must have been interrupted two times because of rainstorm, thundering, lightning and heavy wind.

One day later, in the Men’s Competition the ranking after fencing, swimming and riding changed completely during the combined event. Winner Czech David Svoboda was 11th, second British Samuel Weale 7th and Bronze medalist German Stefan Koellner was 18th at the start of combined running and shooting event. This time Hungarian World Champion Adam Marosi, Russian two time Olympic Gold Medalist Andrei Moiseev, and former Lithuanian World Champions, Andrejus Zadneprovskis and Edvinas Krungolcas couldn’t perform well enough. With an astonishing shooting and powerfull running Svoboda won deservedly the European Championships.

Then the two relay competitions finished with hosts successes. Beside Hungarians the German and Polish team could reach the podium in the women’s contest and Polish and Lithuanian trio in men’s.

Lajos Kosa, mayor of Debrecen, emphasized at a press conference that Hungary’s second bigest city has been organised, since 2001, 17 important international sport competitions – World Championships, European Championships, World Cups –, this one was the 18th, and the hosts all were happy having the possibility to receive the best European Pentathletes. The city and the Hungarian Modern Pentathlon Federation hope mutually that this event will give a boost to the developement of this sport in Debrecen.

Representatives of seven countries won any medal at the European championships from 15th till 20th of July.

The medal table:

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GOLD   SILVER   BRONZE

Germany                                      2             2            1

Hungary                                       2             1            -

Czech Republic                            1             1            -

France                                          1              -            -

Great-Brittain                               -             1            1

Poland                                          -              1           1

Lithuania                                      -              -            3

The Hungarian Men's Relay team has matched the performance of their women’s team by claiming Gold in the Men's Relays at the European Championships to the delight of the local crowd. The Hungarian team made up of Adam Marosi, Robert Kasza and Robert Nemeth went into the Combined Event with a massive lead, only to extend it to win the event easily. Next over the live was Poland who had a fantastic combined event and Lithuania who picked up Bronze. Individual Gold Medallist David Svoboda’s Czech Republic Team was unable to is match its favourite tag finishing just outside the medals in 4^th.

The Hungarian Men's Relay team will be looking to match their women's relay gold medal performance in today’s Men's Relays at the European Championships. After 2 Events the Hungarian team made up of Adam MAROSI, Robert KASZA and Robert NEMETH is leading an experience Czech Republic team and Ukraine heading into the riding event.

The Hungarian Team of Leila GYENESEI, Sarolta KOVACS and Adrienn TOTH has won the Gold Medal in the Women’s relay at the European Championship in front of their home crowd. Germany headed by Olympic Champion Lena Schoneborn held on for Silver ahead of Poland who grabbed the Bronze and the fast finishing French team who just missed out on a medal in 4th.