Lightweight Women's Double Sculls Final

Laura Milani and Elisabetta Sancassani of Italy are rewriting the coaching manual that says you have to have a decent start to be a winner at the other end. The World Champions, Milani and Sancassani, were arguably the favourites coming into this final, but when they came out of the start near the back, some Italian hearts must have skipped a beat.At the other end, Germany’s Lena Mueller and Anja Noske were out in front and establishing themselves, ready to attend to any boats that tried to challenge their lead. Mueller and Noske have been together since 2012 and together they medalled at last year’s World Rowing Championships.

By the middle of the race just three seconds separated the entire field, with Germany still in first ahead of a line made up of Sweden, Great Britain and Italy. Milani and Sancassani were now starting to move and nothing stood between them and the Germans, with Great Britain also putting up a huge challenge. What could Mueller and Noske do? It looked like there was nothing much left in the German tank coming into the final sprint as the Italians continued to pick it up.

Italy had done it. Their gold medal meant an unbroken winning streak since they joined together at the end of 2012. Germany and Great Britain went to a photo finish with Mueller and Noske taking silver and Imogen Walsh and Katherine Copeland of Great Britain taking the bronze.

Results: ITA, GER, GBR, SWE, NED, POL

Gold – Laura Milani – ITA

It’s our third European title – it wasn’t easy and it gets harder and harder. Bad weather conditions made it a tough race.

Silver – Lena Mueller – GER

We’re excited! Crying and laughing at the same time. We had a plan for the race but that’s our secret. Very windy today so a tough race but we’re so excited.

Bronze– Imogen Walsh – GBR

What a tough race! It’s the first time racing for us at an international event in the same boat so we’re very happy with third.