There was drama, excitement and suspense until the very last minute of the Men’s Short Program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Sheffield on Thursday. In the end, Nika Egadze of Georgia came out on top, but with only a few points separating the top six, anything can happen in the Free Skating on Saturday. 

Egadze leads Selevko brothers into Free Skate stand-off

Nika Egadze of Georgia took the lead ahead of Estonian brothers Aleksandr  and Mihhail Selevko. 

Egadze, who skated last out of the 29 men, put out the best performance of the day, landing a quad Salchow-triple Salchow, quad toe and triple Axel. The Grand Prix de France bronze medalist picked up a level four for the change sit spin and a level three for the other spins and the footwork in his program to a Georgian Waltz. Egadze scored 91.28 points.

Nika Egadze skated last and came first with his Short Program to a waltz from his native Georgia © ISU

“I’m happy to skate to Georgian music this season,” Egadze noted. 

“During a camp in Italy with Benoit [Richaud, choreographer] I put on this track and he loved it. Creating this Short Program brought amazing memories from those three weeks, and I’m glad to show it to the crowd. 

"As for Georgian skating, we just focus on our job and don’t think about medals - we do our best and let the results come.”

Aleksandr Selevko really got the crowd at the Utility Arena going with his eccentric performance to “Kiss” by Prince that was highlighted by a quad toeloop, triple Lutz-triple toe, triple Axel and spectacular steps. 

The 2024 ISU European silver medalist netted 88.71 points to just edge his younger brother into third place.

Aleksandr Selevko (EST) entertained the Sheffield crowd with his purple-clad performance to "Kiss" by Prince © ISU

“It has been our dream to be together on the podium and today we achieved it at least in the Short Program,” the Estonian champion said. 

“I am happy that I am so close with my brother and that he skated so well today. We’ll see what will happen in the Free Skating. My main goal is to skate well both of my programs,” he added.

Aleksandr's brother Mihhail Selevko had picked a totally different style and entertained the audience with his spooky program to “The Sounds of Nightmares” and “Mephisto's Lullaby” that featured a quad toe-triple toe combination and a triple Axel. The Estonian posted a personal best of 88.28 points. 

Mihhail Selevko (EST) thrilled and chilled with his horror-based program and sits third, less than half a point behind his brother Aleksandr © ISU

“My goal for this competition was to just take it easy and enjoy it. And that's what I did, and I'm really happy about that,” Mihhail commented. 

He was inspired by a video game called “Little Nightmares” for his Short Program. 

“I just got really inspired by the music, by the atmosphere, and I really wanted to try to make a horror program, which hasn't really been done that much,” he explained. 

The brothers are competing for the lone Olympic spot for the Estonian Men. 

“The Europeans are part of the Olympic selection, thus I don’t really want to take chances here. I am happy I was able to show such a performance today. 

“It [the selection] will depend on the results of the challengers and Grand Prix and it’s the last competition,” Aleksandr Selevko said.

Multiple ISU European medalist Matteo Rizzo is fighting for Italy’s second Olympic spot with teammate Nikolaj Memola. Rizzo came fourth with a strong skate on 88.00 points, while 2025 ISU European silver medalist Memola is currently ranked 10th with 77.77 points. 

Top contender Daniel Grassl (ITA) is not far behind in fifth place on 84.82 points. Defending champion Lukas Britschgi (SUI) came sixth on 82.12 points. 

Medal hopeful Kevin Aymoz (FRA) missed two jumps and finished in 27th place, failing to qualify for the Free Skating. 

“I didn’t expect this but now I will approach the Free Skating with a different mindset,” the 18-year-old Italian noted. 

“I just want to give my best and see what I can get.” 

Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) remains close to the podium in fourth place on 63.75 points. 2024 ISU European Champion Loena Hendrickx (BEL), who missed last season, fell on a triple flip to come fifth (63.43 points), but still can catch up in the Free Skating. 

2023 ISU European bronze medalist Kimmy Repond (SUI) currently ranks sixth (59.28 points), and 2023 ISU European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) missed her triple Lutz to finish 11th. 

Find more comments of the skaters and the press conference highlights on the ISU event website in the “For Media” section. For more information also see the Facts & Figures published on the ISU event website. 

What & When

The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 is as follows:

Wednesday, January 14: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 15: Men’s Short Program & Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 16: Rhythm Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, January 17: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, January 18: Exhibition Gala
 

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