体坛英语新闻：Fernandez wins men's skating at European Championships

BUDAPEST, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 22-year-old Javier Fernandez of Spain, surprise winner of last year' s men' s title at the European Figure Skating Championships, did it again in Budapest on Saturday with 267.11 points, significantly more than second placed Sergei Voronov (27) of Russia' s 252.55.

What battles there were, involved third place, taken by Russia' s Konstantin Menshov (31) with 237.24 points, beating out fourth-placed Czech Michal Brezina (24), who finished with 236.98 points and this year' s Russian national champion Maxim Kovtun (19), who scored 232.37 and ended up in fifth place.

While Fernandez will definitely compete in the Sochi Olympics, the one slot awarded to the Russians is still up for grabs. Before Budapest Kovtun, who beat 32-year-old veteran skater Evgeni Plushenko in the national championships and relegated him to second place, was thought to be the front-runner. Given his fifth place performance in Budapest however, that option appears less and less likely, but Sergei Voronov may have a chance.

Nonetheless, Plushenko, who skipped the European Championships, is now the likeliest choice.

Sunday marks the final day of the European Figure Skating Championships where the pairs' competition will be followed by a gala performance with all the top skaters getting to demonstrate their skills.