Redgrave charges into European Championship final

SAMANTHA REDGRAVE got her European Championship campaign off to the perfect start and roared – bring on the final. The Gateshead rower, 27, won her women's four heat alongside Heidi Long, Rowan McKellar and Rebecca Shorten on the opening day of the multi-sports championship in Munich to progress to Saturday's showpiece. Ad Redgrave's boat crossed the line in a time of 7:11.95 to triumph over Romania, Italy, France and Spain at Munich's Olympic Regatta Centre.

RowingRelationship key for Great Britain rowing duo as European Championship final beckons2 HOURS AGO The quartet navigated some blustery German conditions and believe they're peaking at the perfect time ahead of this weekend's finale. Redgrave said: «It was a nice wind, that's for sure. »We're feeling good and confident — we liked how we rowed in that headwind and how we managed it.

«I think we're looking forward to the final — we need to keep or heads switched on and stay calm and collected. »We're happy with that – we've got little things to work on but that's the same with every race. «Bring on the final.» For the second edition in 2022, the innovative multi-sports European Championship brings together the existing championships of the continent's leading sports into one event that elevates the champions of Europe.

And Redgrave has every chance of grabbing one of the 177 gold medals on offer after her opening day display. Rowing kicked off the 11-day German bonanza on Thursday morning, with cycling, gymnastics and sport climbing also featuring. Athletics gets underway at Munich's iconic Olympic Stadium on Monday while triathlon, canoe sprint, table tennis and beach volleyball also star in the revamped event.