Article by Roxana Fleşeru – published on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 17:39 / Updated Thursday, June 26, 2025:40
5 Romanian swimmers will compete this evening, starting at 7:05 pm, in the finals of the European Championships U23 from Samorin: David Popovici (20 years), Alexandru Constantinescu (19 years), Rebecca Diaconescu (19 years), Denis Popescu (21 years) and Vlad Mihalache (20 years).
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All finals will be transmitted in LiveText format on GSP.ro, with real -time information from Samorin, and TV on TVR Sport
The first Romanian to enter the basin will be Alexandru Constantinescu, from 7:05 pm, in the final of the 200 meters back. The most anticipated evening race will be David Popovici's 200 meter finalwhich starts at 19:24.
The program of the Romanians this evening
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19:05 – 200 m back – Alexandru Constantinescu
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19:24 – 200 m free – David Popovici
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19:34 – 800 m free (fast series) – Rebecca Diaconescu
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20:17 – 100 m butterfly – Denis Popescu, Vlad Mihalache
Romania, with 5 finalists, Thursday evening, at the European U23
The hot weather did not bypass the small Samorin city of Slovakia, where the European Championships U23 are held these days.
At the local time 09:00, there were already 30 degrees Celsius, and until the end of the morning session there were 36.
The basin in which the contest takes place is the small jewel from the X Bionic-Sphere complex. The complex was started in 2011 and concluded in 2016, being a private and state investment. He has often changed his owners due to financially recorded losses.
The great jewel of the complex, considered the national Olympic center, is the sphere of riding, one of the largest in the world.
Image from the photo complex Roxana Fleșeru
Even if it is at a loss, the base looks extraordinary, with all the details developed. For swimmers, it is probably the shortest path they had to travel at any competition. The hotel in which they are accommodated is 20 meters from the place where the competition takes place.
The pelvis is not necessarily built for major competitions, the seats for spectators are few, without a cover, and on such heat it would have needed a shadow. The swimmers have the space from which they are shouted at the start arranged in a tent, but besides the basin it is extremely arranged.
When the first start of the day was given, in the stands, the most visible flags were those of Romania, Italy, Ireland and Germany. Many of the parents of the 13 Romanian participants came to Samorin to support them. Prior to David Popovici's race, he heard encouragement several times, and Denis Popescu's national record was also celebrated with cheers.
Image from the stands from the morning photo session Roxana Fleșeru
Popescu swelled the two 51.49 S basin lengths, exceeding the terminal established by David Popovici in 2023, which was 52.30. He will have as an opponent in the final on the world champion, Diogo Ribeiro (20 years old).
Denis Popescu at the end of the 100 M Floana Fleșeru photo butterfly
David Popovici, sought insistently
The 200 -meter free Olympic champion race has been eagerly awaited. The crayon of the competition has announced several times that the Romanian will compete, over time some of the people dealing with the organization have gathered to see the race of the European senior champion.
Had a controlled race with a time of 1: 46.84. He has the fifth time of the season, with 1:45, 07, registered in Otopeni, in April.
The conditions for climbing the top of the year are perfect for David who likes to swim outdoors and heat. His best time were registered under such conditions 1: 42.97 in 2022 in Rome and 1.43: 13 in 2024 in Belgrade.
David Popovici in action in Slovakia Photo Roxana Fleșeru
Even though he controlled the race in the series, David felt the effort, at the end, the Croatian Jankovic discreetly beaten on his hand to congratulate him, but the Romanian did not feel the first intention, but in the next second he beat him.
David Popovici is certain the star of these European U23 championships, no other participating athlete having his record.
Beyond the medal he can add to the track record tonight, David is looking to test, to see why he is capable at this time in competition conditions, one month before the Singapore World Championships (July 27- August 3).
In the Samorin final he will have him on the corridor next to Bulgarian Petar Mistin, one of the young promising, gold medalist at 400 m free during the first edition of the U23 championships in Dublin.
On Thursday night, Romania will be representing in two other finals, by Alexandru Constantinescu at 200 m back (19:05), by Denis Popescu and Vlad Mihalache at 100 m butterfly (20:17). Also, Rebecca Diaconescu will swim in the fast series from 800 m free (19:34).
