The competition at the 2012 ISU European Figure Skating Championships concluded in the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, Great Britain, on Saturday with the Men's and Ladies the Free Skating.

Evgeni Plushenko (RUS) skates to seventh European title

Evgeni Plushenko of Russia skated to his seventh title and teammate Artur Gachinski claimed the silver. Defending Champion Florent Amodio of France took the bronze.

Plushenko gave a strong performance to Tango de Roxanne, reeling off a quad toe and seven triples including two triple Axels to score 176.52 points, a new personal best. The three-time World Champion racked up 261.23 points overall. I'm so happy with my performance because I did the whole program clean, I did the quad and I skated with big emotions. Like a real Plushenko! It is my seventh title and I wrote a little bit of history. I am proud of myself. I decided yesterday in the practice that I'm going to do the quad, the 29-year-old said.

Overnight leader Gachinski hit a quad toe-double toe-double loop combination, another quad toe and five triples in his routine to Interview with a Vampire to achieve a seasons best of 161.47 points. The 18-year-old totaled 246.27 points and slipped from second to third. I did everything I wanted and I landed two quads in the free skating for the first time. I am very pleased with what happened today. To come second in my second Europeans is a big step forward for me. I got a seasons best and a high score, the 18-year-old commented.

Performing to Memories of Sobral, Amodio produced two triple Axels and four more triples, but doubled his planned quad Salchow. The 2011 European Champion posted a new seasons best with 155.70 points and pulled up from fourth to third. It was a difficult beginning of the season and I am proud of myself and my time now. I worked really hard and now I feel fee, Amodio told the post-event press conference.

Michal Brezina (CZE) moved up from sixth to fourth at 229.30 points and Tomas Verner (CZE) dropped from third to fifth (225.36 points). Javier Fernandez (ESP) finished sixth (222.26 points).

Carolina Kostner (ITA) claims fourth European crown

Carolina Kostner of Italy skated to victory in the Ladies event, taking her fourth European title. Finland's Kiira Korpi earned the silver and Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia captured the bronze.

Kostner landed five solid triples in her routine to Mozart's Concerto No. 23 for Piano and Orchestra and picked up a level four for to spins to score 120.33 points to total 183.55 points. I am very pleased with the whole week here. I had an awesome feeling on the ice and just hearing the crowd cheer me on, it was amazing. I completely canceled the pressure out of my mind. I am looking for good performances, especially just for myself because this is my 10th European Championship; I've won it three times and in those three times I never had the chance to really enjoy it. That's what I did this whole week and I'm very pleased with how it turned out, the Grand Prix Final Champion commented.

Korpi opened her program to I Got Rhythm by Gershwin with a shaky triple toe-triple toe and completed a tirple Salchow-double toe as well as strong spins, but the second triple loop didn't count as she in total repeaed three triple jumps. The Finn was ranked fourth in the Free Skating with 105.14 points but held on to second place with 166.94 points overall. The beginning of the program was not so good but then I fought back and the rest of the program was better and I am satisfied with the result, the 2011 European bronze medalist shared. I didn't know about the rule which is why I was confused as to why the last triple didn't count. It was a stupid mistake which I must learn from, she added.

Skating to The Phantom of the Opera, Gedevanishvili hit four triples and two double Axels to collect 108.79 points. She moved up from fourth with 165.93 points to return on to the podium. I think my performance was pretty good. When I ended my performance I was just happy that it was over and that I had been strong enough to hold my programs together. The most important thing for me is that after a long time I enjoyed skating again. I didn't care if I was in fourth or in tenth place. I just enjoyed skating, the 2010 European bronze medalist explained.

Polina Korobeinikova (RUS) moved up from 12th to fourth with the second best Free Skating of the night. She landed seven triples and scored 164.13 points. Viktoria Helgesson (SWE) placed fifth with a solid performance (160.82 points) while Ksenia Makarova (RUS) slipped from third to sixth at 159.59 points.

The ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2012 conclude Sunday with Exhibition Gala.

Results