Simmonds makes it three in a row as more records go in Croatia

LIZZIE Simmonds showed she is a firm believer that records are made to be broken as she smashed her third of the European Short Course Championships in Croatia.

SUPER SIMMONDS: Lizzie Simmonds breaks third British record at the European Champs (Getty Images)

The 17-year-old Loughborough swimmer, who broke her British for the 100m backstroke twice en route to fifth place, also set a national record in 50m backstroke of 27.25 seconds.

Joining Simmonds in the backstroke semis is Georgia Davies, who continued her good competition as she too lowered her best to 28.14 to squeeze through in 16th place.

Elsewhere in the morning session of day three in Rijeka all three of Great Britain's medallist secure safe passages through to the next stage.

James Goddard, who was crowned 200m individual medley champion on day one, was maintained his electric form and qualified second fastest in the 100m IM in 53.24s - setting a new PB.

Welsh ace Jemma Lowe was also second fastest in the 100m butterfly - the same event in which she came sixth in Beijing in August.

But youngster Lucy Worrall - just 16 - and Lowe's Borough of Stockton team-mate Jess Dickons failed to make it through - coming home 27^th and 25^th respectively.

And James Gibson, who picked up bronze in the 100m breaststroke struggled his way to 12^th in the 50m breaststroke.   

Meanwhile Marco Loughran - competing in his first senior international tournament - set a new best of 52.41s to go through to the 100m semis - and was joined by butterfly specialist Todd Cooper.

And Michael Rock was fastest into the final of the 200m butterfly, after taking 1.5s off his personal best with a time of one minute 53.39secs while Joe Roebuck, fifth in the 400m IM, went through with a new best of 1:54.02s.