Synchronized swimmers Noortje and Bregje de Brouwer have become European champions in the duet free routine category in Belgrade. This marks the first time that the Netherlands has won gold in duets at the European Championships in synchronized swimming. The 25-year-old twins scored an impressive 264.6584 in the final, edging out Great Britain’s Isabelle Thorpe and Kate Shortman, who scored 261.0313. Israel’s Shelly Brobritsky and Ariel Nassee took bronze with a score of 245.6105.

This victory is historic for the Netherlands as it is the first European title in duets in synchronized swimming. The last time the Netherlands won European gold in synchronized swimming was in 1977, but that was in the team competition. Earlier this year, Noortje and Bregje de Brouwer also made history by finishing second at the World Championships in Doha, securing the Netherlands’ first-ever World Championship medal in synchronized swimming.

The synchronized twins have another chance for a medal on Friday when they compete in the technical routine final in Belgrade. Marloes Steenbeek has already won bronze in the solo technical routine at this European Championship.

The European Championships serve as a crucial preparation for Noortje and Bregje de Brouwer for the Olympic Games in Paris. The Olympic medals in synchronized swimming will be awarded on August 9 and 10. With this European title and their earlier World Championship performance, expectations are high for the twins at the upcoming Games. Their successes highlight the progress the Netherlands is making in the sport of synchronized swimming and inspire future generations of athletes.

The recent achievements of the Brouwer sisters show that the Netherlands has become a serious contender in the international synchronized swimming world. Their perseverance and determination are an example for the Dutch sports community and a source of national pride.