Live coverage of Europeans! The first group of pairs is on the ice at the
moment, Abitbol and Bernadis are second to go.

Chris and Nicky, the commentators, are dropping hints about the qualifying,
apparently Tobel was brilliant. I've not seen my e-mail as of yet, so some
of you may have posted spoiler links. Sorry if you have!

They were talking just now about the video replay for the judges.
Apparently the way it works is that if the judges want to see a specific
element, they just have to touch the screen and it comes up so that they
can see it. But no fear! They have the old fashioned marking cards under
the desk so that they can use them if the thing breaks down!

Bereshnaia and Sikharulisze (B&S) go at about 8pm our time. Petrova and
Tikhonov are here also.

There's a Bulgarian pair to go first (Marinovic and Kazakov) and Filonenko
and Marchenko are third and last in the group - they have to do a throw
instead of a step sequence? I didn't know that!

Bulgarians -
Landed 2axels, bit out of unison- fall off the overhead lift, could've been
nasty-bit of lean of throw 3sal- rocky on split 2twist - spins look slow to
me, but what do I know? - Chris has just annointed it a "brave effort"
Marks - 3.4-3.7 tech
3.8-4.2 pres

Abitbol and Bernadis
I love this girl's new haircut! What a split 2twist! Fantastic throw triple
something, where's Chris when you need him, good triple toes - crowd are
clapping - why do they have to be drawn so early? No commentary still - I
think the Eurosport guys got excited and pulled out the mikes!
Marks 5.4-5.7 tech
5.3-5.8 pres

Filonenko and Marchenko
She just barely held onto the 3toe Same with the throw triple whatsit -
yep, we've just got a message up apologising for the loss of English
commentary. Geez, when you want it to go.........looks like they want the
back inside death spiral this year...they look happy.
Marks 4.7-5.1 tech
4.6-5.2 pres

Petrova and Tikhonov - side by side 3 toes, effortless spilt 2 twist -
music is somewhere my love - nice side by side sit spins. Chris is gushing
- weird tuck lift position, god-ugly looking, splat on the throw 3sal "such
a pity" Nicky is missing the speed, and thinks that they look as if they
are holding back...the judges are looking at the video screens (if all this
details bores you, do tell. I'll stop) The innovation says Nicky is fun,but
not reflected in the performance. Chris feels they'll be battling for a
medal......Maria is Anton's ex. Tech 4.8 to 5.4m Pres 5.3 to 5.7 every
judge has them in 2nd behind the French

Berankova and Diabola
Smashing throw 3sal, home crowd which Jeanine had forgotten She went splat
on 3toe.
Tech 4.6-5.0
Pres 5.0-5.3

B&S are on the ice - Happy Valley by Vanessa Mae
Those costumes don't match
Good side by side triples. split 2toe, ok. throw3 sal, nice. thought she
was going to fall
great spins! "like watching one person in a mirror" gushes chris
what a spiral sequence!
"utter brilliance from start to finish"
tech 5.8s and 5.9s mostly, a 5.6 (2) and a 5.7
pres 1 5.7 2 5.8s the rest 5.9

they lead