Plushenko, Lambiel in focus at Euros

Just weeks before the Vancouver Olympics, and will face each other on the ice for the first time since winning gold and silver at the last Winter Games in Turin in 2006.

Plushenko and Lambiel, both making comebacks after retirements, are competing at the European Figure Skating Championships this week in Tallinn. They will be up against European champion Brian Joubert.

The competition begins Tuesday with compulsory dance and the pairs short program, but the men's event that starts Wednesday is likely to be the highlight of the championships.

Plushenko and Lambiel returned to competition this season. Their performances this week should show whether they will be contenders at the Vancouver Games, which start Feb. 12.

Plushenko dominated the sport during the last Olympic cycle but, until late last year, the Russian hadn't competed internationally since winning gold in Turin. His spectacular performance at the Rostelecom Cup silenced many doubters, and he later easily won the Russian national championships, despite taking time off because of knee pain.

Lambiel, who finished second to Plushenko in Turin, is making his way back after a nagging groin injury prompted a brief retirement in 2008. He won this season's Nebelhorn Trophy to earn Switzerland a spot in Vancouver, but many top stars skip that event and his form is still open to question.

In Monday's practice of his free program, Lambiel's footwork was light and his spins fast, but he appeared hesitant on some jumps and took a tumble on what should have been a routine double.

Joubert wasn't at the early practice because the French contingent was arriving later in the day. His practice routines should show how well he's recovered from foot surgery that forced him to drop out of the Grand Prix final in December and miss the French nationals.

In the women's event, Finland's Laura Lepisto aims to defend her title. Her main rival looks to be Alena Leonova, whose silver and bronzes at Grand Prix events this season have raised Russian hopes of regaining their former stature in women's skating after several lean years.

Two-time European champion Carolina Kostner is eager to bounce back after disappointing showings during the Grand Prix season and a stunning second-place finish at Italy's nationals. Julia Sebestyen of Hungary, another former champion, could also feature on the podium after winning bronze at this season's Skate America.

In pairs, Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy are going for a fourth straight European title to add to their two world championships. Russians Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov, who beat the Germans at Trophee Bompard, also feature along with compatriots Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov, the reigning world bronze medalists.

World champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin head the ice dancing field, along with fellow Russians Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novistski, who will be defending their European title.

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