Germany Top Team With 22 Medals - Ruppraths Wins Fourth Gold

VIENNA - Germany won the 2004 Short Course European Championships with 22 (9-5-8) medals, double the number that Russia in second amassed with 11 (3-5-3).

Thomas Rupprath (GER) won his fourth gold today, holding off a late challenger by Markus Rogan (AUT) in the 100 backstroke. Rupprath's time of 50.73 was the top performance of the championships. He also won the 50 back in world record time of 23.27, and the 100 fly earlier. He was part of the winning German 4x50 medley relay.

Other men's highlights:
Italy went 1-2 in the men's 200 freestyle as Filippo Magni and Massimiliano Rosolino held the lead through with Magni winning in 1:44.57 to Rosolino's 1:44.95.

Pawel Korzeniowski (POL) was third in 1:45.58, for his third individual medal of the championships.

In the men's 100 backstroke, Markus Rogan (AUT) almost upset Rupprath as he was gaining with each final stroke, but fell short to finish in 50.80, just 7/100ths behind, almost a second better than his previous best. Minutes before he finished second in the 100 IM.

In the men's 200 breaststroke in a close race Paolo Bossini (ITA) was first in 2:07.29, with Slawomir Kuczko (POL) second in 2:07.61 and Grigory Falko (RUS) third in 2:07.66.

Mark Foster (GBR) won his specialty the 50 butterfly in 23,35, defending successfully his title from Dublin.

Peter Mankoc (SLO) made it five-in-row as he won the 100 IM continuing an unbeaten streak stretching back to 2000. He was five European wins in this event.

"I could hardly train during the last two weeks," Mankoc said. "Due to a back injury, I had many massage sessions and only decided to compete on Friday. Any chance at the world record was out of the question but my fifth consecutive title is something I am happy with."

Disaster struck the Italian 4x50 free team. They won the event, but were disqualified as the final swimmer Alessandro Calvi left way too early. That allowed France to claim the gold in 1:26.24, and Germany second in 1:26.30 and Sweden third in 1:26.98.

Frederic Bousquet anchoring the French team had the fastest split with 21.13.

Women's highlights:
Josefin Lillhage (SWE) won the 200 free in 1:55.36, just off her best, with last year's winner Melanie Marshall (GBR) in second in 1:56.36. Petra Dallmann (GER) in third with 1:57.24, small consolation as she missed the final in the 50 free at the start of the session.

Louis Ornstedt (DEN) won the 200 backstroke in 2:06.33, a second improvement over her previous best, with Sarah Price (GBR) in second in 2:07.24 and Gemma Spofforth (GBR) third in 2:07.64.

Sarah Poewe (GER) won the 100 breast in 1:06.50 (after a 1:06.14 in the semis yesterday). Mirna Jukic (AUT) in second with 1:07.05 and Simone Weiler (GER) third in 1:07.70.

It was another 100 fly win for Martina Moravcova (SVK) in 56.89, and she dedicated it to her coach Steve Collins from SMU who turned 50 today. Mette Jacobsen (DEN) in second with 58.43, her best ever, not bad for a 31-year-old, and Malia Metella (FRA) third in 58.47.

Eve Risztov made it look easy in the 400 IM as she had a big lead at the 200 of almost three body lengths. Her final time of 4:32.26 was her best with Teresa Rohmann (GER) in second in 4:34.38 and Katina Hosszu (HUN) third in 4:35.41.

RATING SUMMARY OF TOP PERFORMANCES
1)	1008	50.73	100 back M	Rupprath Thomas,77,GER
2)	1007	1:48.21	4x50 medley W	Netherlands,NED
3)	1007	1:51.24	200 back M	Rogan Markus,82,AUT
4)	1004	56.89	100 fly W	Moravcova Martina,76,SVK
5)	1003	1:48.52	4x50 medley W	Germany,GER
6)	1003	4:03.96	400 IM M	Cseh Laszlo,85,HUN
7)	998	14:31.92	1500 free M	Prilukov Yuri,84,RUS
8)	997	1:34.94	4x50 medley M	Ukraine,UKR
9)	997	14:32.56	1500 free M	Davies David,85,GBR
10)	996	8:17.39	800 free W	Rigamonti Flavia,81,SUI