Stiliana Nikolova crowned inaugural European Cup Champion

Welcome to the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan's capital Baku! 

The top 16 individual gymnasts from yesterday's qualification rounds advanced to the 'Cross Battles', an exciting new competition format making its debut here in Baku. In knock-out rounds, the gymnasts compete directly against another to reach the following stage.

Bulgaria's rising star Stiliana Nikolova, who won the inaugural title, was excited about the new format.

"It was very interesting and quite challenging," she said.

"It is the first Cross Battle and you don't know what to expect but it was very interesting and I would love to have more challenges like this one."

The 18-year-old beat Azerbaijan's Kamilla Seyidzade in a Ball round of 16, achieved an impressive score of 37.200 in the Hoop quarterfinal to eliminate Slovenia's Ekaterina Vedeneeva before facing her teammate Boryana Kaleyn in the semifinal.

In a tight Club battle, Nikolova drew the long straw, scoring 34.250 to beat the European All-Around Champion Kaleyn by 0.150.

The final was decided in Ribbon. Her opponent was Italy's Sofia Raffaeli, the 2022 World All-Around Champion who tops the All-Around rankings after Friday's qualifications and had looked unbeatable as she had made her way to the gold medal clash.

Nikolova however showed no fear and bagged a score of 32.800 with a beautiful performance to take the first ever European Cup Cross Battle title ahead of Raffaeli, who had to settle for a silver medal with a final score of 32.200.

"I'm very happy with my achievement today," Nikolova said.

The teenage superstar enjoyed the nerves of standing one-on-one against one of the best rhythmic gymnasts in the world.

"It was very nice. I knew that I just have to concentrate and do my routine the best way I can," she said, adding that her focus was on herself.

"It is really hard to compete against everyone but in the first place we compete against ourselves so I am happy that I did my job."

Raffaeli, who made several stunning displays on her way to the final, also enjoyed the Cross Battle drama.

"I am very happy to do this competition here in Baku and it is a very interesting competition and a good idea," she said.

"It is very hard but I am very happy."

The 20-year-old was most pleased with her Ball performance against Azerbaijan's Zohra Aghamirova in the quarterfinal that earned her 35.000 points, and her strong hoop game in the round of 16 that got 35.600. She hailed Nikolova after the close final defeat.

"She is a very good gymnast. I am happy to compete with her in the Ribbon.It was a very tough battle but she was the best," Raffaeli said.

Israel's Daria Atamanov, who had lost to Raffaeli in the Clubs semifinal, overcame Kaleyn in the bronze medal match to take the third place.

Earlier on Saturday, Atamanov's compatriots had won the Group All-Around gold medal with the strongest performances in Hoops, where they scored 38.400, as well as in Ribbons & Balls where they got 35.150. Italy finished second with a total score of 71.700 – 1.850 behind the winners – as the host nation Azerbaijan clinched the bronze medal with 71.550.

Israel were also successful in the Junior Team competition, where Meital Maayan Sumkin and Alona Tal Franco claimed the gold medal with a score of 126.800.

Tal Franco got the highest results in the individual Hoop and Clubs qualifications, Sumkin topping the table in Ribbon. Magdalena Valkova (BUL) was best in Ball and led Bulgaria to a silver medal on 121.700 together with Dara Malinkova. Romania on 120.850 clinched bronze through Lisa Garac and Amalia Lica.

Congratulations to the medallists!

Cross Battle – Senior Individual All-Around

GOLD Stiliana Nikolova (BUL)

SILVER Sofia Raffaeli (ITA)

BRONZE Daria Atamanov (ISR)

Senior Group All-Around

GOLD Israel 73.550

SILVER Italy 71.700

BRONZE Azerbaijan 71.550

Junior Team

GOLD Israel 126.800

SILVER Bulgaria 121.700

BRONZE Romania 120.850

New as well in a European Gymnastics competition … prize money is awarded! A grand total of €40,000 will be distributed . For the Cross Battles, the winner gets € 8000, second place € 500, third place € 3000, fourth € 2000, places 5 to 8 get € 1000 each, and places 9 to 16 € 500 each. The winner of the Senior Group All-Around gets € 5000, silver gets € 3500 and bronze € 2500. In the junior competition, the team winner earns € 1300, second place € 1000 and third € 700.