The 2007 Good Luck Rhythmic Gymnastics International Invitational Tournament climaxed with a robust group all-around final, which the Russians expectedly won.  While Italy claimed silver, the highlight of the evening, for the patriotic crowd, was seeing the Chinese team finish in the bronze medal position. 

Perhaps spurred on by the earlier success of their compatriot, Olga Kapranova, who won gold in the individual all-around final, the Russian team made sure it would be a double-gold glory for their country, by winning the final with a score of 35.075.

They set the bar extremely high when they opened the group all-around final, showing just why they are the defending Olympic and World Champions.  Though they were unable to beat their score of 17.5 for the 5 ropes, they put together another brilliant performance.

It was therefore a hard task for Israel to have to follow the Russian outfit, as it meant the few moments that they lost unity were even more apparent compared to the slick Russian machine.  Their music seemed to lack the ability to show off the group movement, unlike Bulgaria, who followed them onto the floor. But while the Bulgarians showed a marked improvement in their overall routine, with set pieces carried out well, the occasional individual lack of timing did them an injustice. 

Spain’s campaign did not get off to a great start, with all 5 ropes not falling for their intended hands and though they tried to recover they were unable to match the execution of the previous 3 teams, which ultimately saw them score way below their qualification mark.

By comparison the Belarusian team emerged looking relatively more convincing than in qualification.  They too had opted for a dramatic song with a heavy beat, which allowed them to fully interpret it, right through their body, from their heads to their feet and the judges agreed, awarding them 16.825.

And the choice of music proved vital for each of the group finalists.  Italy, who had chosen two pieces of music associated with ancient war, battled their way through the 5 ropes with much more passion than in the qualifying round.  Their individual and set pieces were stunning and they appeared to attack the routine with vigour, which was lacking somewhat previously.

Another team making a marked improvement was China, who received rapturous applause throughout their routine.  They infused Chinese culture throughout their moves, traditional music and Peacock costumes which brought the effervescent piece to life.

Like the all-pink costumes they wore, Spain's three hoops and two clubs was a lot more solid than their first rotation.   Belarus delighted the crowd with an energetic performance that reflected the playfulness of Vanessa Mae's version of the Sabre Dance.  The resonating drum line, but playful overtones of violin, allowed the gymnasts to move around the floor in a dominant manner while also delicately manoeuvring their apparatus, which was enjoyed by all in the crowd.

In the second rotation the World Cup champions, Italy, continued with their warlike theme, starting the three hoops and two clubs in a chariot-like position, before interpreting the popular piece of music by Hans Zimmer, 'The Gladiator', as Anna Bessonova had done in the individual all-around, with a sense of graceful authority.  They were majestic in their movement and conveyed a superb sense of drama which was necessary with such a big song accompanying them.  Their choice of costume was also immaculate, toga-like but encrusted in gold. 

The real highlight for the local audience though was China's second rotation.  Once again they improved in all areas of the discipline as they combined operatic moves to the 'Peking Opera', telling a story through their dance.  With Belarus and Bulgaria placed above them they needed a big score in order to make the medals, which is what they recorded when the judges awarded them 17.1.  The power of a home crowd was clear to see.

Finally Russia wrapped up their gold medal, with each individual gymnast commanding the use of the both the hoop and club with an ease and ingenuity which was rarely seen elsewhere.  The precision of their exchanges and the intertwining of their bodies was deserved of their 17.575, but it was perhaps just that they did not score higher than the Italians, whose routine was drama and passion personified. 

The final scores were Russia (35.075), Italy (34.600), China (34.050), Belarus (33.825), Bulgaria (33.100), Israel (32.550), Ukraine (31.950) and Spain (31.850)./ONS za/zj