Gadirova: Commonwealth Games absence not to blame for European Championship setback

Jessica Gadriova refused to blame her decision to miss the Commonwealth Games for the dramatic fall that derailed her European Championship dream. The Coventry gymnast, 17, finished 10th in Thursday's all around final after suffering a nasty-looking tumble on the balance beam to stun the Munich crowd. Ad Gadirova and her twin sister Jennifer — both of whom competed at last summer's Olympic Games — had opted to miss the Birmingham showpiece owing to a desire to prioritise the European Championships in Munich.

GymnasticsKinsella insists she has even more to give after earning hard-fought European silverAN HOUR AGO But that decision appeared to backfire as both young athletes struggled under the bright lights of Munich's 1972 Olympic Hall. Asked whether she regretted her decision and felt rusty going into the event, Jessica said: «No. »My last competition was the Olympics and a few things changed along the way.

«With time and everything like that, I wouldn't have done as well at the Commonwealths. »But it's good to be here. I'm happy to be here anyway and perform out there." Jennifer added: «It's nice to be back out there and it's been a year since the Olympics.

»I think our team bond is fantastic. We're all very close, we just love each other as girls. We always have each other's backs." Despite their setbacks, both Gadirovas roared on teammate Alice Kinsella, who battled through a ‘dodgy' display to clinch a brilliant silver medal.