Hosszu finished in 2 minutes, 10.09 seconds, a new meet record. Verraszto was a mere 0.01 seconds behind, with Britain's Hannah Miley in third.

Camille Muffat of France, who set the previous meet record in qualifying, led for three laps before fading to fourth.

“I can't even express how happy I am,” said Hosszu, the event's European record holder, who was second in the 400 medley on Monday. “I heard a few spiteful comments saying I was just a 'bodysuit swimmer,' but now I've shown that I'm not.”

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

In Thursday's last race, Hosszu and Verraszto combined to help Hungary win its third gold of the session, teaming up with Agnes Mutina and Eszter Dara to win the 4x200 freestyle relay in 7:52.49. France was second, with Britain third.

“What a day for Hungarian swimming. The fantastic crowd gave me wings,” Hosszu said.

Earlier, Daniel Gyurta gave Hungary its second gold, winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:08.95, a new meet record.

Norway's Alexander Dale Oen took silver, 0.73 seconds behind Gyurta and Hugues Duboscq of France claimed bronze.

“After the world and European titles, I of course want the triple in London 2012. I think I'm on a good path,” said Gyurta, who also owns the European record in the event. “The crowd was spectacular and I could hear their shouts of support during the whole race. It's very uplifting to compete like this.”

In the men's 50 backstroke, Camille Lacourt of France narrowly missed out on becoming the first swimmer to set a world record in the post-bodysuit era.

Lacourt's winning time of 24.07 seconds was just 0.03 seconds outside the mark set by Liam Tancock of Britain, who finished second ahead of Guy Barnea of Israel.

“I have to admit that I aimed at the world record, but 24.07 is a very decent time,” Lacourt said of his new meet record. “I will discuss the areas where I still can improve with my coach, but there is for sure a lot to be done to better my start.” Lacourt had the second-slowest reaction time at the start, 0.74 seconds.

Gemma Spofforth and Elizabeth Simmonds made it a British 1-2 in the women's 100 backstroke, with Germany's Jenny Mensing in third.

“This was another great day for the British team,” said Spofforth, who was second behind Simmonds in Tuesday's 200 backstroke. “It shows that we are in good shape for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.” Pawel Korzeniowski of Poland won the men's 200 butterfly, beating Nikolay Skvortsov of Russia by 1.13 seconds.

Ioannis Drymonakos of Greece was third.

“That's the second-best time in the world this year,” said Korzeniowski. “This year I fully focused on the 200-meter butterfly, but next year I also want to try the 1,500-meter freestyle.” Lotte Friis of Denmark won the women's 800 freestyle in 8:23.27, followed at 0.73 seconds by Ophelie Cyriell Etienne of France and Federica Pellegrini of Italy, 1.72 seconds back.

“Today I was as fast as when I won Olympic bronze in Beijing — and that after the return to textile swim suits,” said Friis, who is also the reigning world champion in the event.

Rebecca Adlington of Britain, the world record holder, was third until 300 meters, but was unable to keep pace and finished seventh, 4.21 seconds back.

On Friday, the men's finals will be in the 100 and 800 freestyle, while the women will crown European champions in the 100 butterfly and 200 breaststroke.