Team GB's Charlie Attwood has said that he is pleased with his performance in the men's 200m breaststroke final at the European Games, despite narrowly missing out on a medal.
Attwood finished fourth in the event at the Baku Aquatics Centre, just 0.17s off teammate and bronze medallist Luke Davies in third.
Even so, the 17-year-old posted a personal best time of 2:13.62, shaving more than a second off his time in both the heats and the semi-finals.
Despite falling just short of the place on the podium, Attwood told Sports Mole afterwards that he will take a lot of confidence from the event ahead of his participation in the 50m and 100m disciplines later this week.
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How do you feel that race went for you?
"I think I swam quite well, considering I don't prefer the 200m. I prefer the 100m over the 200m. But I'm really happy, a PB by over a second I think. So I'm happy with that, I can't complain."
You only just missed out on a medal, but is that PB sufficient consolation?
"Yeah, it's more about the process than medals at the moment. I'm just trying to find a way to swim the 200m that I'm comfortable with and that's effective. I think I'm pretty much there, just a couple more tweaks and I'll be there."
What were your hopes going into the race?
"I just kept telling myself 'I've got nothing to lose'. I wasn't ranked first, second or third going into that, so I just tried to keep calm. I did that quite well."
You've also got the 50m, as well as the 100m you mentioned earlier, to come this week. What is your favourite distance?
"Probably 100m but, to be honest, I'm not too sure anymore!"
How are you feeling ahead of those other two events later this week?
"I'm feeling confident. I'm quite looking forward to just blasting out the 50m and seeing how far I can get in that. Then 100m after that, I'm quite looking forward to seeing where I am at that as well."
So there is plenty for you to take from this performance today?
"Yeah, lots. There were quite a few positives but there were a couple of negatives as well which I need to work on."
Do you know what those negatives are, or is that something to analyse at a later date?
"I messed up one turn by doing it a bit too long. I could have taken another stroke at least. It's just one of those things."
Is that something you can look to put right in the 100m, or is it a case of getting it nailed down in training?
"The 100m, I'm going at a faster pace so I'll be able to put one quick one in anyway if I feel I need to."
Barney Corkhill
