HELSINKI. July 6: Alexander Popov dealt the pretenders to his Olympic throne a further blow when he reclaimed his European 100 metres freestyle crown from Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband yesterday, reports Reuters.

Van den Hoogenband trounced Popov at last year's European championships in Istanbul. unceremoniously ending the Russian's run of four 100. metres freestyle titles and three 50 freestyle wins In the continent's main swimming event.

But Popov struck back at this year's pre-Olympic edition of tire championships and claimed his fifth 100 freestyle crown, having left everyone gasping the previous evening when he clocked a sizzling 48.34 seconds in the semifinals — the thlrd-fastest time ever after two of his own.

He did not produce such a thunderbolt In the final and had to repel a tierce challenge from Van den Hoogenband down the return length before winning In 48.61 — his fastest 100 In six European championships.

Third at the turn behind Hungary's Attila Zubor and Sweden’s Lars Frolander, he eased to the front on the second length of the Makelanrinne pool to clinch his second Helsinki gold after anchoring Russia to victory in Monday's 4x 100 freestyle relay.

"Oops. 1 did it again,” Popov said. "But no world record to-, day."