Sawt Falasteen - Hendrickx dethrones Gubanova for first European figure skating gold

The 24-year-old Hendrickx had been favourite to win the title last year but fell twice in her free skate and settled for silver behind surprise winner Gubanova.

The Belgian made no mistake this time leading all the way in Kaunas to nail the title with 213.25 points for her almost perfect free skate to music by Beyonce and Madonna.

"I think it was one of the best competitions from the enjoyment point of view because normally after the jumps I start enjoying but it really felt that after the triple-triple I was relaxed," she said.

"I know I can do better, but I'm super happy because I had so much fun on the ice.

"There were a lot of nerves. I felt pressure but I tried to enjoy my performance and I think I never enjoyed a programme as much as I did here."

Gubanova, 21, moved up from third after the short programme to take silver (206.52) with Belgian teenager Nina Pinzarrone competing the podium (202.29).

In the absence of the Russian skaters, two-time world medallist Hendrickx, winner of Skate America this season, achieved her first continental title.

She will bid to upset Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, the two-time defending champion, at the world championships in Montreal in March.

I.Matar--SF-PST