European Swimming Championships 2010: Preview

After four days of open water and synchronised swimming events to whet the appetite, all attention turns to the pool today in Budapest as the European Championships get into full swing.

Team GB go into these championships with low expectations, as the team are concentrating on the Commonwealth games in Delhi later in the year. However, with the likes of Liam Tancock, Rebecca Adlington and Gemma Spofforth amongst those in Budapest, they will still be hopeful of picking up a few medals.

Today the men’s 100m backstroke looks the standout event with Tancock, the fastest man in the world this year, up against in form Frenchman Camille Lacourt. The Exeter man will be hoping to pick up his first European title, and lay down a marker for London in two years time.

The 400m freestyle should also draw a big crowd with the giant German Paul Biedermann up against France’s great young hope Yannick Agnel.

On the women’s side, British eyes will also be focussed on the backstroke as Lizzie Simmonds and Gemma Spofforth battle it out over 200m. While it is difficult to know how quickly they will go, having not tapered for this event, Simmonds should go in as favourite having swum three seconds quicker than any of her European rivals this year.

The last events of the evening will be the 4x100m Freestyle relays, and whilst Britain will be serious contenders in the women’s event, it would be a huge shock to see anyone other than the French take the men’s title.