Netherlands miss women’s team final at World Championships

The Netherlands’ women’s gymnastics team has missed the team final at the World Championships in Rotterdam after finishing ninth in the standings, with two qualifying groups still to compete. Only the top eight teams advance. [1]

Sanne Wevers, Naomi Visser, Sanna Veerman, Vera van Pol and Vera Ubbink scored 158.029 points. Their total left them outside the top eight after the eighth of ten groups; China and Brazil were among the teams still to compete. [1]

The Dutch team started strongly on the uneven bars and performed reasonably on the balance beam, but lost too many points on floor, the report said. The United States led provisionally on 164.529 points, with Russia second on 163.662. [1]

Russia’s participation had been uncertain after visas were refused to three gymnasts, including reigning all-around world champion Angelina Melnikova. The team ultimately competed with a full squad.