Rhythmic Europeans in Varna: German gymnastics team ready to get started

The Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships are taking place in Varna (Bulgaria) from 27 to 31 May. After the juniors kick things off on the first day of competition, the seniors are stepping into the spotlight from Thursday onwards. For the German gymnastics team, this marks the start of the week that serves as a vital yardstick en route to their home world championships in August.

Varna as acid test

The European Championship on the Black Sea coast is one of the most challenging tournaments of the year. The German team are seeking to not only finish well, but also assess the stability of their routines against international competition. The DTB has explicitly described these title competitions as an acid test for the tasks that lie ahead.

The German delegation will be led by Darja Varfolomeev. The Olympic gold medallist and eleven-time world champion is competing in the individual event and will be one of the key athletes at this European Championships. She will be joined by Viktoria Steinfeld and Lada Pusch, both also from TSV Schmiden. The trio will be seeking to complete clean routines and demonstrate their consistency amid a strong field.

The German national team group are also heading to Bulgaria with a clear plan. The team of Anja Kosan, Alina Ott, Helena Ripken, Anna‑Maria Shatokhin, Emilia Wickert and Alisa Datsenko have spent the last few months consistently working on their processes. In Varna, the group will be seeking to demonstrate that they can compete with the best at European level once again.

New format for the all-around final

One particular feature of this European Championships is the new format being used for the all-around final. The top twenty gymnasts from the qualifiers, plus another athlete from the host country, will initially compete using the ball and hoops. Only the best ten out of these will move forward to the second part of the final, with the clubs and ribbon. The final point score will be calculated from all four routines. For the German individual competitors, this means that every single routine matters.

Before they departed, team boss Isabell Sawade emphasised how important it is to measure themselves against the European elite. The European Championships will highlight where the team stand – and what details still need to be honed before their home world championships. This means that, for the athletes, Varna is not just a competition: it also represents a step along the road to a significant summer.

From 27 to 31 May, Varna will play host to the qualifiers, apparatus finals and group competition. For the German gymnastics team, this marks the start of a week involving plenty of observation, analysis and fine tuning – as well as an opportunity to test their mettle against an international field.

We are looking forward to the next few days in Varna and wish the German gymnastics team a great start and successful competition.

2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships schedule