Savchenko and Szolkowy Defend European Title

Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy easily retained their pairs title at the European figure skating championships on Wednesday.

The duo, who won the title in Warsaw last year, dominated the day's free programme and finished with a total of 202.39 points after taking a commanding lead in Tuesday's short programme.

Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the silver medal with 169.41 points, while Russia's Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov finished third on 167.25 points.

The Russian pair overtook Ukraine's Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov, who had been third after the short programme.

The men's competition got underway earlier on Wednesday with Czech Tomas Verner, the 2007 runner-up, leading the way ahead of defending champion Brian Joubert of France.

Verner scored 79.03 points in the short programme, followed by Joubert on 75.25 and Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, who enters Thursday's free skate with 71.78 points.