Leeds's Matty Lee, Rebecca Gallantree and Alicia Blagg all find silver lining at Euros

CITY of LEEDS'S Matty Lee and diving partner Georgia Ward were back among the medals at the European Aquatics Championships in London as they claimed silver in the mixed synchronised 10-metre event.
City of Leeds's Matthew Lee in the Men's Platform at the European Aquatics Championships. Picture: Nigel French/PA.City of Leeds's Matthew Lee in the Men's Platform at the European Aquatics Championships. Picture: Nigel French/PA.
City of Leeds's Matthew Lee in the Men's Platform at the European Aquatics Championships. Picture: Nigel French/PA.

The pair, who took team bronze on Monday, finished with a score of 318.24 points, with Ukraine’s Iuliia Prokopchuk and Maksym Dolgov winning the gold with 323.70. Ward also secured individual 10m bronze on Friday.

“It’s been crazy and it’s not quite sunk in yet that I’ve won three medals at these championships,” said Ward.

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Earlier, compatriot Grace Reid claimed bronze in the women’s three-metre springboard, adding to the gold she and Daley secured on Thursday in the mixed synchro version. Reid finished once place ahead of fellow Briton, and Leeds-based Rebecca Gallantree.

City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.
City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.

Earlier in the week, City of Leeds pair Jack Laugher and Chris Mears gave hopes of a first Olympic medal a boost by winning gold in the 3m synchro at the European Championships in London.

The British duo recorded a personal best score of 456.81 points in Friday’s final to finish ahead of Russia (445.23) and Ukraine (439.86).

The Russians had won the last five consecutive European titles but we’re always playing catch-up with the Laugher and Mears, who went ahead of the field in the third round.

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The pair won bronze at the World Championships last year but preparations for their Olympic year have been blighted by a foot injury for Laugher.

Harrogate's Jack Laugher competes in the Men's Diving 3m Springboard Final last Thursday. Picture: PA.Harrogate's Jack Laugher competes in the Men's Diving 3m Springboard Final last Thursday. Picture: PA.
Harrogate's Jack Laugher competes in the Men's Diving 3m Springboard Final last Thursday. Picture: PA.

“This is massive for us and an 11-point PB,” said Laugher, who also won silver in the individual 3m springboard event on Thursday.

“This has been a long time coming because our synchro has been on form. It took a while to get going this year but we’re definitely there now.

“Hopefully, that score and that performance sends a message out to the rest of the world that we are on form ahead of Rio.”

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Last night, Rebecca Gallantree and Alicia Blagg scored 319.32 to win silver in the synchronised 3m springboard event. Tom Daley won gold in the 10m.

City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.
City of Leeds's Alicia Blagg (right) and Rebecca Gallantree celebrate after winning the silver medal in the Women's Synchronised 3M Final. Picture: Nigel French/PA.

“I always feel like I work hard, I’ve been enjoying my training.

“Moving to this pool and being with Jane (Figueiredo) my coach has been great, we’ve developed a really good relationship and bond, training and being around Tom (Daley).”