MATTHEW Langridge attempts to win a gold medal at the European Rowing Championships for a second successive year later today.

The Northwich rower was part of Great Britain’s men’s eight that held off a late surge from fast-finishing Poland in their heat on Friday afternoon.

Their reward is to renew a rivalry with reigning Olympic champions – and hosts – Germany in the final.

The British, victors in the boat class at the world championships last summer, were a single second quicker over the course at Brandenburg.

They finished in 5.50.48, pushed on by the Poles, while Germany edged out Russia in the second heat in 5.51.45.

Stroke Will Satch, Matt Gotrel, Scott Durant, Tom Ransley, Paul Bennett, Pete Reed, Andrew Triggs Hodge and cox Phelan Hill join Langridge, 32, in a new-look crew for the 2016 season.

Durant said: “We obviously want to win, but this is the first regatta of the season.

“It’s about building on what we’ve done so far, and working towards Rio.”

Belarus and the Netherlands emerged from the repechage on Saturday to join Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Poland in the final.

The race, which will be broadcast live by BBC Sport through their red button service, is scheduled for 12.30pm.