Rouault overtook Pal Joensen of the Faeroe Islands with less than three laps to go and held on to win in 14 minutes, 55.17 seconds.

“I had to build up my race. For this reason, I stayed a little behind, but at some point I was a bit afraid that Pal Joensen was too far ahead,” Rouault said. “However, as expected, my last 300 meters were excellent.” Joensen had led for most of the race but finished 1.73 seconds behind to take silver, while Samuel Pizzetti of Italy was 4.59 seconds back in third.

“I think that's the first international medal in any sport for my country, but in swimming that's a fact,” Joensen said. “I don't yet know whether I'll stay long term in the Faeroes because the conditions are not very good — I can only train on short-course (pools).” Germany's Paul Biedermann defended his title in the men's 200 freestyle, clocking 1:46.06. Nikita Lobinstsev of Russia was second and Sebastiaan Verschuren of the Netherlands was third.

“The time wasn't good, but the title is what counts,” said Biedermann, who set world records in the 200 and 400 freestyle at last year's world championships in Rome while wearing the since-banned bodysuits.

The 30th edition of European championships is the first major international meet where competitors can no longer wear the neck-to-ankle outfits that helped set dozens of world records in recent years.

Biedermann started slowly and was sixth after the first 50 meters, jumping to second place a lap later and taking the lead before the final 50.

In the most anticipated race of the day, Hungary's Laszlo Cseh set a meet record of 1:57.73 in the final of the 200 individual medley. Markus Rogan of Austria finished 0.30 seconds back.

“This was not my best performance, but it was enough to win,” said Cseh, who swam more than 2.5 seconds slower than his European record. “I knew I had to turn in front of Rogan at the 150-meter mark. The last lap was very hot.” Cseh swam the final 50 in 29.18 seconds, 0.16 seconds faster than Rogan and the smallest difference between the two swimmers on any of the four laps.

Francesca Halsall of Britain won the women's 100 freestyle in 53.58 seconds, beating Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus and Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands.

“I knew that I had to get out very fast because this is my strength,” Halsall said. “We came here unrested because we are also preparing for the Commonwealth Games” to be held in New Delhi in October.

This freestyle event has been dominated in recent years by Germany's Britta Steffen, the world record-holder who has been struggling with numerous injuries and is not competing at the Europeans. She and Laure Manaudou were the undisputed stars of the tournament when it was last held in Budapest, in 2006.

The other women's final on Wednesday was the 100 breaststroke, won by European record-holder Yuliya Efimova of Russia in 1:06.32.

“I have prepared very well for these European Championships and wanted to swim faster than I did today,” Efimova said. “However, for me, these championships are just another step on the road to the Olympic Games in London.” In diving, Illya Kvasha of Ukraine scored 433.90 points to win the men's 1-meter springboard event for the third consecutive time at the Europeans. Patrick Hausding of Germany with 430.25 points and Spain's Javier Illana with 414.35 were next.

Thursday's finals will be in the men's 50 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly. In the women's, the finals will be in 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 800 freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle relay.