For the second time, our country has hosted the European Cup, which once again stood out for its spectacular performances, excitement and memorable moments. The four-day event brought together graceful gymnasts from 25 countries. Musical routines, specially choreographed dance compositions and surprise flash mobs delighted audiences of all ages. One unique feature of this year’s cup was the inclusion of Cross Battles among group exercises teams.

On the first day, individual competitions were held. In the senior category, gymnasts performed with the Hoop and Ball. Azerbaijan was represented in the individual program by Govhar Ibrahimova and Kamilla Seyidzada.

On the second day, the winners in the senior individual events for Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon were determined. In the senior Clubs routine, Ukraine’s Taisiia Onofriichuk won gold, Italy’s Tara Dragas took silver and Bulgaria’s Malinova Dara earned bronze. In the Ribbon routine, gold went to Ukraine (Taisiia Onofriichuk), silver to Italy (Tara Dragas) and bronze to Romania (Amalia Lica). In the Ball event, gold was awarded to Italy (Sofia Raffaeli), silver to Uzbekistan (Lola Djuraeva) and bronze to Ukraine (Taisiia Onofriichuk). For the Hoop, Ukraine’s Taisiia Onofriichuk won gold, Israel’s Lian Rona took silver and Italy’s Tara Dragas won bronze.

On the same day, senior group exercises teams competed in routines with 5 Ribbons and 3 Balls + 2 Hoops. In the 3 Balls + 2 Hoops event, the Azerbaijani senior group exercises team won the gold medal, Ukraine took silver and Italy won bronze. In the 5 Ribbons routine, Italy won gold, Estonia silver and Bulgaria bronze.

On the third day, junior group exercises team competed with 5 Hoops and 5 pairs of Clubs. In the All-around competition, Bulgaria took gold, Ukraine silver and Israel bronze. In the junior individual team classification for Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon, Bulgaria again took gold, Italy won silver and Israel bronze.

In the Cross Battles competitions, Azerbaijan defeated Estonia, Bulgaria beat Ukraine and Italy triumphed over Georgia. In the final round among Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Italy, Bulgaria won gold, Italy silver and Azerbaijan bronze.

Our junior group exercises team earned two bronze medals in the apparatus finals: one in the 5 Hoops routine and the other in the 5 pairs of Clubs routine.

On the final day of the “Rhythmic Gymnastics European Cup,” in the junior category, Azerbaijani gymnast Shams Agahuseynova won a bronze medal in the Ribbon routine.

In the senior category, individual gymnasts competed in Cross Battles. The final was contested by Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli and Uzbekistan’s Lola Djuraeva. Raffaeli took gold, while Djuraeva won silver. For the bronze medal, Ukraine’s Taisiia Onofriichuk competed against her compatriot Polina Karika, with Onofriichuk emerging victorious. The gold medal was presented by the Minister of Youth and Sports and President of European Gymnastics, Farid Gayibov.

In total, Azerbaijan concluded the European Cup in rhythmic gymnastics with 1 gold and 4 bronze medals.