Men's Eight (M8+) - Final

The Netherlands decided to take the bull by the horns and got out very fast. This surprised the fleet who thought it would be a clash between World Champions Great Britain and Olympic Champions Germany. This is the first time that Great Britain and Germany have met this season and they made up the two centre lanes.

At the half way point, however, it was the Russians who were in the lead after overtaking Great Britain and the Netherlands. Russia continued to power ahead and with just 500m left to row Russia still had the lead. What could Great Britain and Germany do? Everyone knew who the crowd was behind as they raised the grandstand roof urging their crew on. There would be celebrations in the German camp tonight. The Germans had not only won, they had beaten the World Champions. Russia held on to second with full credit to the British for pulling through into third.

Results: GER, RUS, GBR, BLR, POL, NED

B-final

The results of yesterday’s repechage indicated that today’s race would be close. And it was. The three boats went head to head for the entire race with Spain being just a bit faster. Spain will be hoping to qualify for the Rio Olympics later this month at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta.

Results: ESP, UKR, CZE

Eric Johannesen (6) – Germany – gold 
“It was a very tough last 300m. Our cox Martin said, ‘give everything you have in the next strokes.’ And then it was just going, going, gone to the finish line.”

Viacheslav Mikhaylevskiy (5) – Russia – silver  
“The race was very hard. We are a new team, a new eight, we are used to rowing in these kind of windy conditions.”

Andrew T Hodge (5) – Great Britain – bronze
“For me it’s fantastic to be back racing. We really enjoy rowing together as a team. It was like a fist-fight today.”