Kubusch edges Rouault in heats at Euros

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Christian Kubusch of Germany set the fastest time in the qualifying heats of the 800-meter freestyle event Thursday at the European swimming championships.

Kubusch finished in 7 minutes, 53.93 seconds, 0.37 seconds faster than Sebastien Rouault of France, who won the 1,500 freestyle on Wednesday. Gergo Kis of Hungary was third.

Pal Joensen of the Faeroe Islands, whose silver behind Rouault in the 1,500 was his country's first international swimming medal, was fourth, and Federico Colbertaldo of Italy, the European record holder, was fifth.

Evgeny Lagunov of Russia posted the best time in men's 100 freestyle heats, touching in 48.50 seconds. Teammate Andrey Grechin was second and European record-holder Alain Bernard of France was third.

Therese Alshammar of Sweden won the heats of the women's 100 butterfly in 57.89 seconds, ahead of Jeanette Ottesen of Denmark and Amit Ivri of Israel. European record holder Sarah Sjoestroem was fifth, 0.97 seconds behind Alshammar, who won the 50 butterfly on Tuesday.

Rikke Moller-Pedersen of Denmark was fastest in the heats of the 200 breaststroke, her time of 2:26.43 good enough to rally past Sara Nordenstam of Norway. Stacey Tadd of Britain was third. Nadja Higl, owner of the European record with 2:21.62, was fifth.

Thursday's finals will be in the men's 50 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly. In the women's events, finals will be held in 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 800 freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle relay.

The 30th edition of European championships is the first major international meet where competitors can no longer wear the neck-to-ankle outfits that helped set dozens of world records in recent years.