SHEFFIELD, England, Aug 7: Nick Gillingham extracted revenge and Catherine Plewi-nskl upstaged teenage prodigy Franzisk van Almsick as Britain and France celebrated rare golden trebels at the European Swimming Championships on Friday, reports Reuter.

Gillingham slew the demons of defeat with a stirring victory In the 200 metres breast-stroke over Hungarian Kroly Guttler, his world record breaking conqueror In the 100 on Tuesday.

Ftewlnskl. a small packet of determination. succeeded where all others had failed and beat the long and lean German van Almsick in the women's 100 metres butterfly.

Gillingham and Plewinski joined a select band who have won an event at three successive European Championships, including the likes of Vladimir Salntktv Michael Gross. Adrtn Moorhouse and Tamas Drnyt •

Former East German Sylvia Gerschs, world champion at 17 back in 1986, struck another blow for the older swimmer with victory tn the women's 100 metres breast-stroke eight years after she first won the event.

But the first final gave youth its fling aa 19-year-old Finn Antti Kasvic and 18-year-old Briton Paul Palmer elbowed their elders side tn a thrilling men's 400 metres freestyle.

Gillingham earned the biggest cheers from the home crowd, banishing Hungarian nightmares Just as he had at the last European Championships tn Athens in 1991.

Two years ago. world champion Norbert Rozb romped away with the 100 breast-stroke but succumbed to Gillingham in the 200.

This year, with Rozsa seeking a new life In Australia. Guttler broke his compatriot's world record In the 100 heats, won his first major championship title ahead of Gillingham in the final but bowed to the Briton in the 200.

Guttler stormed through the first half of the 200 with Gillingham behind but both Inside world record pace.

Gillingham, at 26 the oldest finalist, gradually closed the gap and hit the front on the last length, -forging ahead to win by nearly a second.

He won in two minutes 12.49 seconds, well outside American Mike Barrowman's 2:10.16 world record, but ft was victory that mattered.

" The pace was very quick ... (but) I know my pace so well that I knew I had to come back." Gillingham, who won Olympic stiver tn .1988 and bronze in 1992. said.

"I knew I was challenging Karoly. It was all about winning and telling myself to go for the gold. I can't stop shaking. I've never been shaking so much after a race.

"It's sheer pleasure swimming in front of your home crowd. The sound coming down on the last 50 metres was Just incredible.”