Europeans 2017 - Back in Position (Ice Dance Final Highlights)

The ice dance competition has seen some unexpected and quite unpleasant drama after the short programme. So if you're wondering why Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte are suddenly second when you saw them finish first, here's what's happened: the judges spotted an extra element in their routine (the transition out of the straight-line lift was classified as a rotational lift), causing them to lose one point and drop to second place. I'm sure a lot of us are not happy about how this whole affair was handled, but what's done it's done. Better to focus on the present.

The first couple I'll have a look at are Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin. Their combination spin is exquisite - very cool, original poses and a breathtaking transition into it. Their entrances into their lifts are also very sudden, but the dance-hold sections are not as smooth. Their score: 98.76. Overall: 166.93.

Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri remind us how dangerous this sport can be even in ice dance - he loses his balance during the straight-line lift, bringing them both down. This kind of puts a dark shadow over everything that comes after. They get 93.22 points. Overall: 163.68.

Isabella Tobias/Ilia Tkachenko show us a more classical approach to the same Nutcracker the Italians skated to. I really like his leg extensions during the circular step sequence, and their one-legged straight-line lift. Their score: 99.94. Overall: 169.29.

Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron, third-time European champions
I admire Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev's theatrical costumes too much to like the minimalist style they've chosen this season. Love the way she follows the piano with her hand during transitions, but I'm starting to get a bit tired of their straight-line lift; I've been seeing it for years now, so I really hope they come up with something new next season. They get 110.38 points. Overall: 186.56.

Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte have the best storytelling skills of all ice dance couples present here. Him in particular shines today through his gestures and 'crazy' facial expression. Unfortunately, she loses the grip on her skate during the first position of the twizzles. Their score: 110.99. Overall: 186.64.

Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron's spin is super past, matching the frantic pace of the music. In fact, the whole routine is a combination of speed and softness. The two songs they skate to are Stillness, Oddudua and Happiness Does Not Wait. They get 114.19 points. Overall: 189.67.

In the end, Gabriella and Guillaume manage to keep their European title, while the difference between second and third place is just 0.08 points. Anna and Luca take the silver, and Ekaterina and Dmitri have to settle for the bronze.

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