Nordic dominance continues at TeamGym championships But hope blooms for Azerbaijan

The 15th European TeamGym Championships concluded at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, showcasing the excitement and dynamism of this growing sport.

For those unfamiliar with TeamGym, it’s a team-based gymnastics competition that originated in Sweden during the 1980s. It features performances on the mat, acrobatic track, and trampoline, making for a thrilling spectator experience. Despite the tough competition faced by the Azerbaijani team, hosting such prestigious events not only highlights the country’s capabilities but also serves as effective promotion for the sport.

This year, the championships attracted top teams from across Europe, with 14 nations participating: Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Estonia, Finland, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, and Sweden. Approximately 500 gymnasts showcased their skills, all under the watchful eyes of 28 judges.

At the opening ceremony, world champion Tofig Aliyev represented all gymnasts, while Lisa Rose, a judge from Great Britain, spoke on behalf of the judging panel. They both took an oath to uphold the rules of the competition and to ensure fairness. Remarkably, both athletes and judges delivered on their promises, demonstrating a level of objectivity that is often rare in high-stakes competitions.

Despite Azerbaijani athletes initially facing long odds—having little chance not only of winning but even of medaling—the judges maintained their impartiality, a refreshing departure from the common practice of favouring host teams. In fact, men's team of Azerbaijan narrowly missed out on the points needed to compete in the final medal rounds, underscoring the competitive spirit of the event.

Azerbaijan, as the host country, successfully upheld the standards of the event without any issues. The championship, starting from the opening ceremony, was organized to a high standard, consistent with the quality of most international sporting events held in the country. During the competition, the mascot of European gymnastics, Luigi, engaged with the audience, motivating the athletes and even hosting fun contests. He deserves medals just as much as the competitors themselves! In the finals, both youth and adult teams competed, totalling 34 teams in action.

During the preliminary finals, the winners in the youth category were announced, with Denmark and Sweden taking home the gold and silver medals, while Iceland claimed gold and bronze. Norway and Great Britain secured the remaining bronze medals. This outcome was to be expected, as the Nordic countries have long been strong contenders in TeamGym.

Among the adult teams, the dominance of the Nordic countries continued. Iceland and Denmark claimed the gold medals, while Sweden secured both silver and bronze. Great Britain earned a silver medal, and Norway took home a bronze.

Looking ahead, we can only hope that at the next European TeamGym Championships, scheduled to take place in Espoo, Finland, in 2026, Azerbaijani gymnasts will be ready to compete for medals in the home turf of their northern rivals.

Vugar Vugarli, for Caliber.Az