Double gold medals, including Jeanette Ottesen‘s huge touchout of Sarah Sjostrom for the 100 fly title, propelled Denmark to take over the lead in the European Championship medal table, with 5 golds to Great Britain’s 4.
Denmark’s haul has been almost entirely gold. They won two gold today, following up two gold on Thursday. Rikke Moller Pedersen won the 200 breast today to join Ottesen. Moller Pedersen also won the 100 breast earlier in the meet, and yesterday Viktor Bromer and Mie Nielsen each claimed titles for Denmark.
Great Britain still leads in total medals, though they earned just one today. That was a silver from Molly Renshaw in the 200 breast. The Brits have 16 total medals in pool swimming thus far.
Italy made strides at Britain’s overall total, though, picking up 5 total medals on day 5. Gregorio Paltrinieri‘s new European record was the highlight, with Gabriele Detti taking bronze in that same 800 free. Italy also won the Mixed 4×100 Medley Relay to end the meet.
Pool Swimming Medals at the 2014 European Championships
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Denmark | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Great Britain | 4 | 5 | 7 | 16 |
| 3 | Italy | 4 | 1 | 7 | 12 |
| 4 | Hungary | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 5 | France | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 | Sweden | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 7 | Serbia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Russia | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 9 | Germany | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | Spain | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 11 | Belarus | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Netherlands | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Faroe Islands | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Lithuania | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 15 | Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Poland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Ukraine | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 29 | 25 | 28 | 82 |
Russia continues to lead the all-sports medal table, buoyed by big performances from synchronized swimming and diving. Italy and Great Britain are tied with 6 golds apiece and 18 overall medals to Russia’s 7 and 16. Just behind is Germany, at 5 total golds but 17 overall medals.
The competition continues two more days, though Sunday night.
Overall Medal Table
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Russia | 7 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
| 2 | Great Britain | 6 | 5 | 7 | 18 |
| 3 | Italy | 6 | 2 | 10 | 18 |
| 4 | Germany | 5 | 6 | 6 | 17 |
| 5 | Denmark | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | France | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 6 | Hungary | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 9 | Sweden | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 10 | Serbia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | Spain | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
| 12 | Ukraine | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| 13 | Belarus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Faroe Islands | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | Greece | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | Lithuania | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
|
17
|
Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Poland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
I’m not sure if this is their best performance to date but at the 1947 champs Denmark finished second in the medal table with 5 golds and 1 bronze (France went 6-1-1). Of course, there were fewer gold medal events in those days.
I believe Denmark will win at least two more golds (Nielsen in 50 back and women’s medley relay). If that turn out to be the case, Great Britain, Italy and Hungary need three top spots in order to beat Danes.
I’m sure it will change by the end… but until then I am going to keep looking at this over and over again 🙂 🙂 🙂