LAUSANNE (Switzerland), May 9: Nikolai Kryukov produced fluid routines on the pommel horse and parallel bars to help champions Russia to the top of the team standings in qualifying at the men’s European gymnastics championships here on Thursday.

The Russians were in impressive form as they earned a total of 273.175, opening up a lead of more than five points over Fabian Hambuechen’s German team.

Three months before the Beijing Olympics, Russia showed they were on track to regain their former glory by being in pole position to win the team gold in the Saturday’s final.

Ukraine and Romania, who are having to compete without multiple world gold medallist Marian Dragulescu due to injury, completed the top four teams.—Reuters