The French player, who was searching for her fifth straight continental title in her sixth consecutive final, recovered from going a game down against Nele Gilis of Belgium in the Czech capital.

She eventually prevailed 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 in 43 minutes against a 20-year-old opponent who was playing in her first European final.

Gilis had to beat her younger sister Tinne in the semi-finals, who then went on to recover by winning the bronze medal against Germany's Sina Wall, 12-10, 14-12, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5.

In the men's competition, Spain's Borja Golan won the men's gold medal for the first time after winning the final at the fourth time of asking.

He got the better of French world champion Gregory Gaultier for only the second time in his career, coming from behind to win 10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 3-11, 11-9.

Gaultier, who won his World Championship title last year in Seattle after previously being a runner-up four times, was hoping for a record 10th European success.

However, it was to be the Spaniard's day this time with victory coming after 82 minutes of play.

The bronze medal match was won by Lucas Serme, the brother of women's champion Camille who added another medal to the family's collection.

He saw off Germany's Raphael Kandra 8-11,13-11, 11-8, 12-10.