2016 Europeans: a flamenco bailarín and other photo stories

You may want to relive the emotions of the men’s short program in Bratislava, at this year’s edition of the Europeans. If it is indeed so, we’re giving you the chance to do exactly that: see some of the big moments of the night, through the lens of Natasha Ponarina.

Javier Fernández – first after SP

Javier Fernández takes the ice for his short program, while Brian Orser hits the boards in encouragement

Javier Fernández takes the ice for his short program, while Brian Orser hits the boards in encouragement

...and he does have a lot of fans, Javier Fernández, and all of them are ready to give him a very warm welcome on to the ice

…and he does have a lot of fans, Javier Fernández, and all of them are ready to give him a very warm welcome on to the ice

From the very first second of the program, it's all about gestures, character, attitude - a performance that surely made Antonio Najarro proud; the director of the Ballet Nacional de España had choreographed the routine

From the very first second of the program, it’s all about gestures, character, attitude – a performance that surely made Antonio Najarro proud; the director of the Ballet Nacional de España had choreographed the routine

1 Javier Fernandez SP 2016 Europeans (4)

1 Javier Fernandez SP 2016 Europeans (5)

1 Javier Fernandez SP 2016 Europeans (6)

...making eye-contact with the judges

…making eye-contact with the judges

1 Javier Fernandez SP 2016 Europeans (9)

A very proud coach - and no less than 102.54 points for Javier's routine. Fernández is now the first European to break the 100-point barrier in the men's short program, and one of the two men to have done that in the world

A very proud coach – and no less than 102.54 points for Javier’s routine. Fernández is now the first European to break the 100-point barrier in the men’s short program, and one of the two men to have done that in the world

Maxim Kovtun – 2nd after SP

Russia's Maxim Kovtun, skating his short program to Genesis' "I Can't Dance"; the routine has been choreographed by Peter Tchernyshev

Russia’s Maxim Kovtun, skating his short program to Genesis’ “I Can’t Dance”; the routine has been choreographed by Peter Tchernyshev

Maxim's hands, drawing a straight line in the air

Maxim’s hands, drawing a straight line in the air

2 Maxim Kovtun 2016 SP Europeans (5)

Sharing his first thoughts after the performance with coach Elena Buianova; Maxim finished this particular segment of the men's event on the second place, with 88.09 points

Sharing his first thoughts after the performance with coach Elena Buianova; Maxim finished this particular segment of the men’s event on the second place, with 88.09 points

Michal Březina – 3rd after SP

Slick and elegant: Michal Březina, performing his SP to "The Way You Look Tonight" - a program choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle

Slick and elegant: Michal Březina, performing his SP to “The Way You Look Tonight” – a program choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle

3 Michal Brezina SP 2016 Europeans (3)

At the end of the night, Michal was third, with 84.30 points

At the end of the night, Michal was third, with 84.30 points

4th after SP: Alexei Bychenko

Final words of encouragement before taking the ice for his short program

Final words of encouragement before taking the ice for his short program

Alexei Bychenko, skating an emotional routine, to "All Alone" by Geir Rönning

Alexei Bychenko, skating an emotional routine, to “All Alone” by Geir Rönning

4 Alexei Bychenko SP 2016 Europeans (3)

At the end of the night, Alexei was fourth, with 84.09 points

At the end of the night, Alexei was fourth, with 84.09 points

5th after SP: Daniel Samohin

This 17-year-old, Daniel Samohin, made quite an impression on the audience in Ondrej Nepela arena in Bratislava; here he is, skating his eye-catching routine to "Still Loving You" by The Scorpions

This 17-year-old, Daniel Samohin, made quite an impression on the audience in Ondrej Nepela arena in Bratislava; here he is, skating his eye-catching routine to “Still Loving You” by The Scorpions

5 Daniel Samohin SP 2016 Europeans (2)

At the end of the men' SP, Daniel was 5th, with 82.73 points

At the end of the men’ SP, Daniel was 5th, with 82.73 points

6th after SP: Ivan Righini

Seconds before taking the ice, alongside coach Michael Huth

Seconds before taking the ice, alongside coach Michael Huth

One of Ivan's specialties: jumping with both his arms over the head

One of Ivan’s specialties: jumping with both his arms over the head

Is this young man enthusiastic or what? Ivan Righini, skating his short program to "You Raise Me Up", by Josh Groban

Is this young man enthusiastic or what? Ivan Righini, skating his short program to “You Raise Me Up”, by Josh Groban

Greeting his fans in Bratislava

Greeting his fans in Bratislava

8th after SP: Florent Amodio

What a powerful bond these two have: Florent Amodio chose to come back to coach Nikolai Morozov for the last event of his competitive career; here he is, ready to take the ice for his short program

What a powerful bond these two have: Florent Amodio chose to come back to coach Nikolai Morozov for the last event of his competitive career; here he is, ready to take the ice for his short program

In the last Europeans of his competitive career, Florent skated to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams - the music suits him like a glove, and the joyful costume compliments the music

In the last Europeans of his competitive career, Florent skated to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams – the music suits him like a glove, and the joyful costume compliments the music

8 Florent Amodio SP 2016 Europeans (3)

8 Florent Amodio SP 2016 Europeans (4)

Burst of joy and relief at the end of the routine - and the girl near the boards can't help but smile... and so does, I'm sure, everyone in the audience

Burst of joy and relief at the end of the routine – and the girl near the boards can’t help but smile… and so does, I’m sure, everyone in the audience

9th after SP: Mikhail Kolyada

Mikhail Kolyada, alongside coach Valentina Chebotareva

Mikhail Kolyada, alongside coach Valentina Chebotareva

Now that’s a young man who draws the audience into the story he tells on the ice; here he is, skating his eye-catching, engaging short program, to „Nightingale Tango” and „John Gray foxtrot”

Now that’s a young man who draws the audience into the story he tells on the ice; here he is, skating his eye-catching, engaging short program, to „Nightingale Tango” and „John Gray foxtrot”

9 Mikhail Kolyada SP 2016 Europeans (3)

9 Mikhail Kolyada SP 2016 Europeans (4)

10th after SP: Alexander Petrov

This season, Russia’s Alexander Petrov chose to skate his short program to „La Leyenda del Beso” by Raúl di Blasio, a routine choreographed by Stephane Lambiel; and, we must say, the program suits him wonderfully

This season, Russia’s Alexander Petrov chose to skate his short program to „La Leyenda del Beso” by Raúl di Blasio, a routine choreographed by Stephane Lambiel; and, we must say, the program suits him wonderfully

10 Alexander Petrov SP 2016 Europeans (3)

Alongside coach Alexei Mishin, at the end of his routine in Bratislava; these were Alexander's first Europeans

Alongside coach Alexei Mishin, at the end of his routine in Bratislava; these were Alexander’s first Europeans

11th after SP: Alexander Majorov

With his coach (and mother) Irina Majorova

With his coach (and mother) Irina Majorova

Skating his short program, to "Tango Amore" by Edvin Marton

Skating his short program, to “Tango Amore” by Edvin Marton

At the end of the night, Alexander was 11th, with 76.34 points

At the end of the night, Alexander was 11th, with 76.34 points

14th after SP: Deniss Vasiljevs

Deniss, performing his playful, innovative short program, to “Puttin’ On the Ritz” in Bratislava; the routine was choreographed by Benoît Richaud

Deniss, performing his playful, innovative short program, to “Puttin’ On the Ritz” in Bratislava; the routine was choreographed by Benoît Richaud

Alexei Urmanov and Ingrida Snieškienė follow their student at 2016 Europeans

Alexei Urmanov and Ingrida Snieškienė follow their student at 2016 Europeans

14 Deniss Vasiljevs SP 2016 Europeans (3)

Deniss Vasiljevs finished this particular segment of the men’s event on the 14th place – and, most certainly, drew everyone’s attention with his skating skills and spectacular spins

Deniss Vasiljevs finished this particular segment of the men’s event on the 14th place – and, most certainly, drew everyone’s attention with his skating skills and spectacular spins

Creating magic at 2016 Europeans: Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron

2016 Europeans: a photo recap of the ladies’ short program