A Duel? Europe brought a sword, USA brought a shotgun

IN the end the result at this weekend's British Gas Duel in the Pool was comprehensive. Europe's swimmers arrived in Manchester with a gentlemanly sword, the Americans blew them away with the full force of a 12-bore shotgun.

ONE FOR THE GRANDKIDS: Michael Rock can't quite believe that he has just beaten 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps (Getty Images)

But unwrap the first layer of Christmas wrapping paper and there is a glimmer of success underneath.

America, with their full quota of Olympic medallists, were overwhelming favourites and swum just as they knew how - from the front.

Michael Phelps et al were out of sight early on day one, storming into a 22-1 lead after just three races and setting four world records in the process, with Nick Thoman breaking the 100m backstroke mark on the opening 4x100m medley relay leg.

But the inaugural ‘Ryder Cup' Duel was about more than the contest itself - it was a serious tip of the cap to Europe, and particularly the Amateur Swimming Association, that the event was held in the first place.

The format is made-for-TV but British Swimming and the Manchester Aquatics Centre - purpose built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games - put on an impressive show for the 4000 fans who packed the arena over the two days.

It had exactly what we've come to expect from a 21st Century sporting spectacle - music pumping out of the sound-system, flashing lights, air horns and big-wavey hands.

And, crucially, plenty of aspiring Olympians in the crowd.