The final of the Nations Cup has just been held in Barcelona. The final was a thriller of format, it was waiting until the last combination before it was clear who would go home with the medals.
For the Belgians, Nicola Philippaerts was the first to start. He seemed well on his way to a first clear round with Katanga vh Dingeshof (by Cardento 933), but the last triple jump decided otherwise. They finished with one jumping fault. The same happened to Niels Bruynseels and Delux van T&L (by Toulon). They also came to the finish with a clear round but the last style decided otherwise.
The two strongholds of the team, Jerome Guery (Quel Homme de Hus) and Gregory Wathelet (Nevados S) did however what was expected of them: jumping clear. The Belgian team thus ended up with a total of 4 penalty points, just like the Swedes. The time of the Belgians was slightly faster, however, so they could sit on the podium.
The victory went to the Netherlands. They jumped no less than three clear rounds. Both Maikel van der Vleuten (Beauville Z) and Willem Greve (Carambole) had a clear round behind their names when Sanne Thijssen entered the arena. However, they got one jumping fault behind their name, which put all the pressure on Harrie Smolders. If anyone can handle pressure, it is Harrie Smolders. Riding Monaco (by Cassini II), he jumped a textbook round and left all the rails in place.
The Irish won silver. They only got one point for time. Both Denis Lynch (Cristello) and Darragh Kenny (VDL Cartello) managed to jump a clear round. Eoin McMahon and Chacon 2 (by Chacco-Blue) got one point for time. Michael Duffy with Zilton SL Z (by Zirocco Blue VDL) had two jumping faults behind his name.