The London 2012 generation came of age with the first sub-4-minute effort in Europe that takes the continent closer to the fastest two times ever swum, by quartets from aquatic superpowers of the USA and Australia. Russia took silver in 4:00.47, with the Dutch hosts third in 4:04.41.
The Russians led by a bodylength for the first three of four strokes after Anastasia Zueva, European record holder and champion in the solo 100m backstroke, clocked a blistering 59.72 split, compared to the 1:01.20 of Elizabeth Simmonds. After that, Kate Haywood, 1:07.11 and Jemma Lowe, 58.00 edged closer a touch, leaving Francesca Halsall a bodylength behind Daria Belyakina. By the half-way turn, the 17-year-old from Liverpool had caught her rivals as the crowd stood to its feet. This was a new Halsall. Her finishing split, of 53.02, was the fifth fastest ever behind the Olympic champion, the world champion and the world record holder.
Halsall, the only member of the Budapest 2006 champion quartet, said: 'This is the biggest thrill. We love racing together and I love chasing.' In Budapest, she had been hunted down by Britta Steffen (world record holder) but held onto secure gold for Britain when just 15. 'This time I had to catch up and it was blinding!' she said.
As was the effort of 13-year-old British teammate Tom Daley, the youngest European diving champion after winning the 10m platform just before the swim finals.