London 2012 Olympics: women's team gymnastics final - in pictures

A view of the North Greenwich Arena, the venue for the women's gymnastics team final Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

The contestants enter the arena before the competition begins Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Beth Tweddle binds her hands in preparation for the bars. The British captain said her team had found motivation from the men's bronze medal on Sunday Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Hannah Whelan claps excess chalk from her hands before her performance on the uneven bars Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Beth Tweddle executes a nerve-racking transfer on the bars. "It's really inspiring," she said, after securing the top uneven bars score in the final. "We saw them [the men's team] go out, they were just so chilled and loved the atmosphere. They just said to us, use the crowd to the max … they helped me get through, and luckily my routines were good enough to help the team." Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

After her performance, Beth Tweddle watches the scoreboard for her results Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

A member of China's gymnastics team chalks her hands and feet before competing in the vault Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Hannah Whelan spots her landing during the uneven bars Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Whelan winds up for her next manoeuvre … Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

… and delivers this tuck somersault with precision Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Journalists continue their live coverage from inside the arena Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Jennifer Pinches performs a no-handed cartwheel on the beam Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Rebecca Tunney plants on the vault … Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

… springing off into a twisting backflip Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Spectators eagerly await the results Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

A spectacular backflip on the beam from Imogen Cairns Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

US gold medalist McKayla Maroney is congratulated by Imogen Cairns after her team placed first in the competition Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

The British gymnasts congratulate each another on achieving the highest women's team spot since 1928. "We knew we weren't in contention for a medal," said Beth Tweddle. "A lot of people might have thought can the girls do the same [as the men] but obviously we are the next level below at the minute. But who knows, in four years' time?" Photograph: Graeme Robertson for The Guardian