Home comforts paid dividends for Ya’akov Tomarkin who claimed two silver medals at the European Short Course Swimming Championships at the Wingate Institute in Netanya.

The Israeli finished runner-up in the 100m medley and 200m backstroke in one of the most high-profile sporting events to be held in the country.

Tomarkin, 23, was cheered on by more than 3,000 spectators. Both his medal efforts were achieved in Israeli record times – 1:49.84 in backstroke and 52.62 seconds in the medley.

He thanked the fans for “making all the difference”.

Tomarkin commented: “It gave me a real push when I heard them. It was probably worth half a second.

Gal Nevo added a bronze medal in the 400 meters medley as Israel finished 14th in the medals table.