Highlights of #TeamGym2022

TeamGym took Luxembourg by storm as it hit the country’s charming capital city for the very first time!

European Gymnastics’ youngest discipline made a lasting impression on the thousands of spectators that travelled to D’Coque Sports Centre. With a record participation of 18 countries, the gymnasts’ daring skills and enthusiastic performances got everyone hooked for life.

Here are our 8 highlights … in no particular order!

 

A new British reign

Great Britain’s rise to the top in TeamGym has been nothing but remarkable. From their first participation in Maribor (SLO) just 6 years ago where they won their first unofficial -out of competition- medal to winning a grand total of 5 medals and placing second to Sweden in the overall medal table at last year’s edition. Having won their first gold in 2021 with the junior mixed team, the British coaches saw their chance to bring out their strength even more, focusing their efforts on building an impressive senior mixed team. And it paid off as the gymnasts tumbled, danced and vaulted their way to victory, their first ever senior European title! What a fitting way to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth and honour the new King Charles.  

Danish juniors set the standard

Absent from last year’s event in Guimaraes, Denmark quickly put any doubters in place, easily topping the medal table with an impressive collection of 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. Winning all titles in the junior competition, the depth and strength of the country’s TeamGym programme is truly astonishing.

Sweden’s rollercoaster

The only other country to make the podium in each category, Sweden won silver in all three junior finals. In senior finals, they qualified in top position to the mixed team final but the defending Champion had some issues settling for bronze. Regrouping for the women’s team final where they were also the top qualifier, Sweden cruised to victory posting the highest scores on floor and trampet. Going head-to-head with Denmark in the first two rotations of the men’s team final, the Swedes gave it their all but counted a few too many mistakes to challenge for gold, grabbing the bronze instead.

Norwegian surprise

While the attention in the senior men’s team final mainly went to the battle between Denmark and Sweden, Norway delivered an excellent competition. In the last rotation, the Norwegian men even overtook the Swedes, clinching the silver medal, much to their delight!

Eyes on Iceland

Missing their star performer due to an unfortunate injury sustained right before departure to Luxembourg, the defending Champion in the women’s team Iceland gave a performance true to their unique style. Posting the best score on tumble, they secured the silver medal behind Sweden but ahead of Denmark.

Danish men return to the top

In the ever-spectacular men’s team final top qualifier Denmark and defending Champion Sweden went head-to-head in the first two rotations. Denmark sealed the deal on floor, regaining the European title they have won every edition except last year when they didn’t participate because of covid-19.

A Royal visit

Not only gymnastics fans love TeamGym! This much was made clear by the visit of Luxembourg’s highest authority Royal Highness Henri Grand Duke of Luxembourg who graciously attended the senior women’s team final with the country’s Minister of Sport, after meeting with the Luxembourg junior team and the European Gymnastics authorities. Honoured to hand out the gold medals to the Swedish ladies, Henri expressed his praise for the event.

Meet the #TeamGym2022 All Stars Team!

The 6 best female and the 6 best male gymnasts on each apparatus were selected to form the famous TeamGym All Stars team! Congratulations to Nicole Hosseini (SWE), Bryndis Gudnadottir (ISL), Agnes Arvidsson (SWE), Ásta Kristinsdottir (ISL), Holly Barbour (GBR), Sofie Stausboel-Groen (DEN), Albin Eriksson (SWE), Jeppe Olesen (DEN), Tofig Aliyev (AZE), Benjamin Kristensen (DEN), Mikkel Ellertsen (NOR) and Connor Wharram (GBR).

Fun fact: All Star Holly Barbour is the only junior on the Team and became the first female junior to successfully compete a triple on trampet!

A big round of applause goes out to the Gymnastics Federation of Luxembourg for organising their first European Gymnastics event since the 1961 European Championships in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and joining the ranks of TeamGym event organiser, a mere 2 years after stepping into the TeamGym community as participants.