Riesa, Germany - The East German town of Riesa, about 30 kms from the Saxon capital of Dresden, is getting ready to host some of the continent's top stars at the first ever European Team Championships this week end. The event formerly know as the European Gymnastics Masters will feature twelve teams, each consisting of two male artistic gymnasts, two female artistic gymnasts and two rhythmic gymnasts. Saturday will see six head-to-head competitions with the top eight teams going through to the quarterfinals where four more teams will be eliminated in head-to-head matches. The top four teams will then battle it out for the medals.

Qualification was based on the results of the team competition at the 2000 European championships in Bremen (MAG), Paris (WAG) and Saragossa (RG), a format that eliminated traditional powerhouse Romania. Despite winning medals in the men's and women's team competition, Romania failed to even enter a team in last year's RG European Championships.

The first European Masters was held in Paris in 1997, when Belarus clinched the gold followed by Bulgaria and Ukraine. Russia won the event in 1999 in Patras, Greece, while Ukraine placed second and the home team won a much-celebrated bronze.

The competition is traditionally an easygoing event, but has nonetheless drawn a host of stars, most noticeably Olympic champions Szilveszter Csollany (HUN), Gervasio Deferr (ESP) and Yelena Zamolodchikova (RUS). Headlining the rhythmic line up is Russian superstar Alina Kabayeva, who won the bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics. Gold medallist Yulia Barsukova has retired and silver medallist Yulia Raskina of Belarus is still recovering from knee surgery.

Russia surely has to be the favourite to win again this time around. Ukraine, Spain and Belarus also are fielding strong teams and should push for medals.

Yesterday saw some last minute changes in the team roster with the Latvian team withdrawing from the competition - they will be replaced by Finland. The German team was also changed with Lisa Brüggemann replacing an injured Daria Bijak (see Gymworld's Breaking News), and young Sandy Liebehenschel stepping in for 2000 Olympian Lena Asmus.

According to a press release issued by the British Gymnastics Federation today, Melissa Wilcox will take part in the European Team Championships this weekend. Wilcox will replace 2000 British Champion Emma Williams of Liverpool, who was originally entered for this competition.

Look for news, results and gossip directly from Riesa on Gymworld!

ötzi/umnitza