Their championships had begun badly. The evening of 1 August then belonged to Germany's divers. At the European Aquatics Championships in Paris they took two medals within minutes of each other: silver from the platform and gold from the one-metre springboard.
Pauline Pfeif and Elena Wassen went first, winning the German swimming federation's opening medal of these championships. In the synchronised 10-metre platform event at the Centre Aquatique Olympique the two Berliners scored 298.20 points. Only Maisie Bond and Lois Toulson of Great Britain finished ahead, on 300.06. Bronze went to Xenia Bailo and Sofijia Wystawkina of Ukraine with 286.20.
Fewer than two points separated them from the title. It annoyed her "just a tiny bit", Pfeif said, but "it's simply wonderful — silver. We're so pleased and just happy." They had also drawn the first starting position, setting the mark and then waiting through the entire competition. The Ukrainians dived last but could not displace them.
Wesemann defends his title
Moritz Wesemann completed the evening shortly afterwards. The 24-year-old from Halle retained his European title on the one-metre board with 431.45 points. He finished ahead of Britain's Jack Laugher (418.25) and Jordan Houlden (410.30). It was his final dive that moved him to the top of the standings.
The result carries more weight given how the meet started. On 31 July, after several errors, Wesemann, Pfeif, Lena Hentschel and Jaden Eikermann had to settle for seventh in the mixed team event. That fell well short of their own expectations. National coach Christoph Bohm had stated before the championships that the aim was a medal in every event.
"It's really nice to hit back like that," Pfeif said of the team disappointment. "I think it gives us strength and a really good push for the next competitions." Wesemann's next chance comes on 5 August in the individual three-metre springboard.