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An error-strewn performance from Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby cost the British duo a European Figure Skating Championships medal in Sheffield.

The pair finished seventh after making mistakes on both throws in the free skate, Vaipan-Law falling to the ice at one point.

Their strong showing in Wednesday’s short program had left them fifth and in contention for a first British medal at the Europeans in this event since Joyce Coates and Anthony Hollies in 1959.

But it was not to be for Sheffield-born Digby and his partner in front of a disappointed home crowd at Utilita Arena.

Performing to Arrival of the Birds, used in the Oscar-winning film The Theory of Everything, followed by Carry You by Fleurie and Ruelle, the duo – particularly Vaipan-Law – looked nervy throughout.

It was sadly not a royal performance from the Brits after, earlier on Thursday, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, was in the audience with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as British Olympic gold-medal winners Robin Cousins and Sir Christopher Dean.

The gold medal went to Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who completed their set having previously won silver and bronze on the continental stage.

While it was a poor day for the Brits, it was a day of success for Georgia – who count among their coaching team one of the most controversial figures in ice skating.

The afternoon session contained the men’s short program, and leading the field is another Georgian – Nika Egadze, who registered an impressive score of 91.28.

Egadze is coached by Eteri Tutberidze, who drew headlines for her berating of Kamila Valieva at the 2022 Olympics.

Tutberidze was sat next to Egadze as the results were announced in Sheffield, hugging her charge after his score came in.

He then defended Tutberidze’s training methods in his media conference, telling the BBC: “I really like to work with Eteri, I have skated with her for nine years.

“We are really well connected, as a whole team. And she listens to me more now.”

In the media conference after his pairs win with Metelkina, Berulava revealed they had used Tutberidze’s private rink to practice while waiting for their visa issues to be resolved.

Also through to the men’s free skate on Saturday is three-time British champion Edward Appleby, despite an error that nearly prevented him from progressing.

The 21-year-old is a highly rated prospect for the future and will represent Britain at the Winter Olympics in Milan next month.

However, in the first element of his routine, he only landed a double axel rather than a triple. Despite a near flawless showing thereafter, it cost Appleby enough points that he was in severe danger of missing out on the qualification places.

But errors from others saved him, in particular France’s Kevin Aymoz.

Aymoz was considered a title contender after winning the ISU Grand Prix Skate America and coming fourth twice at the Europeans, but he picked up four deductions for falls during a poor routine.

An error-strewn performance from Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby cost the British duo a European Figure Skating Championships medal in Sheffield.

The pair finished seventh after making mistakes on both throws in the free skate, Vaipan-Law falling to the ice at one point.

Their strong showing in Wednesday’s short program had left them fifth and in contention for a first British medal at the Europeans in this event since Joyce Coates and Anthony Hollies in 1959.

But it was not to be for Sheffield-born Digby and his partner in front of a disappointed home crowd at Utilita Arena.

Performing to Arrival of the Birds, used in the Oscar-winning film The Theory of Everything, followed by Carry You by Fleurie and Ruelle, the duo – particularly Vaipan-Law – looked nervy throughout.

It was sadly not a royal performance from the Brits after, earlier on Thursday, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, was in the audience with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as British Olympic gold-medal winners Robin Cousins and Sir Christopher Dean.

The gold medal went to Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who completed their set having previously won silver and bronze on the continental stage.

While it was a poor day for the Brits, it was a day of success for Georgia – who count among their coaching team one of the most controversial figures in ice skating.

The afternoon session contained the men’s short program, and leading the field is another Georgian – Nika Egadze, who registered an impressive score of 91.28.

Egadze is coached by Eteri Tutberidze, who drew headlines for her berating of Kamila Valieva at the 2022 Olympics.

Tutberidze was sat next to Egadze as the results were announced in Sheffield, hugging her charge after his score came in.

He then defended Tutberidze’s training methods in his media conference, telling the BBC: “I really like to work with Eteri, I have skated with her for nine years.

“We are really well connected, as a whole team. And she listens to me more now.”

In the media conference after his pairs win with Metelkina, Berulava revealed they had used Tutberidze’s private rink to practice while waiting for their visa issues to be resolved.

Also through to the men’s free skate on Saturday is three-time British champion Edward Appleby, despite an error that nearly prevented him from progressing.

The 21-year-old is a highly rated prospect for the future and will represent Britain at the Winter Olympics in Milan next month.

However, in the first element of his routine, he only landed a double axel rather than a triple. Despite a near flawless showing thereafter, it cost Appleby enough points that he was in severe danger of missing out on the qualification places.

But errors from others saved him, in particular France’s Kevin Aymoz.

Aymoz was considered a title contender after winning the ISU Grand Prix Skate America and coming fourth twice at the Europeans, but he picked up four deductions for falls during a poor routine.

Tammy Abraham could return to Aston Villa, Manchester United hope to sign Carlos Baleba in the summer, and Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Juventus.

Aston Villa want to seal a permanent deal for England striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma. The 28-year-old spent 2018-19 on loan at Villa and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League. (Times – subscription required)

Manchester United are growing increasingly confident they will sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 22, from Brighton in the summer. (Sun)

Juventus have made an inquiry about signing France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, from Crystal Palace this month as they seek a long-term replacement for Serbia attacker Dusan Vlahovic, 25. (Sky Sports)

Inter Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina are all contenders to move for Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire, 32, in January. (Tuttomercato – in Italian)

Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender Murillo, 23, is being considered by Manchester United as they look for a long-term Maguire replacement. (Mail)

Chelsea want to bring in a defender this window with Bournemouth‘s Argentina international Marcos Senesi, 28, among several targets. (Talksport)

Manchester United caretaker head coach Michael Carrick is keen to sign Middlesbrough’s English midfielder Hayden Hackney, 23, who is also attracting interest from Tottenham. (Teamtalk)

Valencia have approached Brentford about the availability of 28-year-old Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka. (Sky Sports)

West Ham look set to miss out on Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, 23, after Wolfsburg submitted a bid of £15.6m for the Englishman. (Athletic – subscription required)

Nottingham Forest are pushing to sign Italy and Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, 26. (Tuttomercato – in Italian)

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could look to secure a loan exit if his playing time at Manchester United does not improve this month, with Napoli leading the race for the 20-year-old. (Star)

Crystal Palace and Brighton are competing with Celtic and Norwich for Dundalk’s 17-year-old Irish defender Vinnie Leonard. (Football Insider)

Aston Villa could move for Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos, 29, after missing out on signing Conor Gallagher. (Talksport)

Tottenham are exploring options to sell Argentine striker Alejo Veliz, 22, who is currently on loan at Rosario Central and are in talks with Brazilian club Bahia. (Athletic – subscription required)

Galatasaray, Napoli, Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia are monitoring Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 32, who is in the final year of his deal with Manchester City and yet to agree an extension. (Caught Offside)

Wolves are hoping to beat a host of Premier League rivals to two Scottish teenagers – Dundee United striker Kai Hutchinson, 15, and 17-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Cooper Masson. (Teamtalk)

Tammy Abraham could return to Aston Villa, Manchester United hope to sign Carlos Baleba in the summer, and Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Juventus.

Aston Villa want to seal a permanent deal for England striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma. The 28-year-old spent 2018-19 on loan at Villa and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League. (Times – subscription required)

Manchester United are growing increasingly confident they will sign Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 22, from Brighton in the summer. (Sun)

Juventus have made an inquiry about signing France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, from Crystal Palace this month as they seek a long-term replacement for Serbia attacker Dusan Vlahovic, 25. (Sky Sports)

Inter Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina are all contenders to move for Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire, 32, in January. (Tuttomercato – in Italian)

Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender Murillo, 23, is being considered by Manchester United as they look for a long-term Maguire replacement. (Mail)

Chelsea want to bring in a defender this window with Bournemouth‘s Argentina international Marcos Senesi, 28, among several targets. (Talksport)

Manchester United caretaker head coach Michael Carrick is keen to sign Middlesbrough’s English midfielder Hayden Hackney, 23, who is also attracting interest from Tottenham. (Teamtalk)

Valencia have approached Brentford about the availability of 28-year-old Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka. (Sky Sports)

West Ham look set to miss out on Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, 23, after Wolfsburg submitted a bid of £15.6m for the Englishman. (Athletic – subscription required)

Nottingham Forest are pushing to sign Italy and Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, 26. (Tuttomercato – in Italian)

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could look to secure a loan exit if his playing time at Manchester United does not improve this month, with Napoli leading the race for the 20-year-old. (Star)

Crystal Palace and Brighton are competing with Celtic and Norwich for Dundalk’s 17-year-old Irish defender Vinnie Leonard. (Football Insider)

Aston Villa could move for Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos, 29, after missing out on signing Conor Gallagher. (Talksport)

Tottenham are exploring options to sell Argentine striker Alejo Veliz, 22, who is currently on loan at Rosario Central and are in talks with Brazilian club Bahia. (Athletic – subscription required)

Galatasaray, Napoli, Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia are monitoring Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 32, who is in the final year of his deal with Manchester City and yet to agree an extension. (Caught Offside)

Wolves are hoping to beat a host of Premier League rivals to two Scottish teenagers – Dundee United striker Kai Hutchinson, 15, and 17-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Cooper Masson. (Teamtalk)