Dmitri Barkalov
- and  a strong Russian team on pommel horse

On pommel horse alone the visibly physically stronger team from Russia managed to overtake the Germans by 2.4 points. Russia’s strongest all-arounder today was Dmitri Barkalov.

The German team has tremendously improved since Patras 2002 (where they won the bronze medal). Today they showed very good performances especially on bars and high bar – at the latter one with the highest score. Except for one fall on floor the German team remained faultlessly today and this earned them the silver medal.

The bronze team from Ukraine can be considered as “the team of the future” as with their 14 – 16- year old gymnasts they were one of the youngest teams at these junior championships.

France reached the 4^th rank today with a solid team performance.

The Swiss team which follows behind them however had higher goals before these championships. Unfortunately their starting gymnast completely messed up his pommel horse routine and the Swiss team suffered from his score of 7.3 until the end.

Alongside with the best all-around gymnast today Dmitri Barkalow Germany’s Fabian Hambüchen has been the best gymnast on floor, vault, bars and high bar today. He will be one of the most promising gymnasts for the all-around final and the following apparatus finals.

Fabian Hambuechen:
Best on High bar (9,625)