Team GB trampoline duo Laura Gallagher and Katherine Driscoll missed out on a medal in the synchronised event at the European Games in Baku on Sunday, finishing the competition in fifth place overall.
Russia ended up taking the gold, while France and Portugal claimed silver and bronze respectively.
Sports Mole spoke with Gallagher after the final to get her thoughts.
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Hi Laura, how do you think things went for you and Katherine out there today?
"It wasn't the best that we could have performed together, but it was pretty good. We got through 10 skills. We haven't had much opportunity to practice together because our main focus is individual in Britain so, to be honest, it was really good just to get out there and get some exposure, especially for me after my terrible performance in the individual event. I just need the consistency and the routines under my belt going into the more important competitions for us later this year."
Did you think you were in with a chance of getting a spot on the podium when you arrived at the arena earlier?
"With synchro you never know. I've only had one other synchro partner and only done it a handful of times. Kat's very experienced and she's got lots of world medals with the synchro, so it was really good for me to go out with someone so experienced and Kat was really helpful. It would have been really nice to have won a medal, but it wasn't to be and congratulations to those who did win."
You were the second team to perform today. Does being high up the order benefit you, or would you rather be going last?
"Me and Kat were speaking about that earlier. In some of the other disciplines you do a draw for the final, but we go in reverse order (of qualification results). To be honest there doesn't seem to be a pattern to whether you go last. It's nice to get out there and feel it and see how it's going to run. Each competition is different. Sometimes it's nice to get out there early and get it done. For me it was nice to go early because I was feeling awful this morning. Me and Kat have both been struggling with a bug this week, so it was probably good that we got out there and did our routine early."
Overall, would you say that this has been a positive experience for you in Baku?
"Yeah, definitely. I've been out for along time through injury - it's been over a year since my last competition. This has been a good stepping stone. I'm extremely disappointed with my individual performances, but I can take a lot away from this week and synchro has been really good to pick me up and get out there and perform in a big arena. It's given me a lot more trust in myself ahead of the British Championships in September."
Jack Prescott
