European Athletics (EAA) – News – Turkey, Greece and Norway promoted to the Super League in Izmir

Hosts Turkey, Greece and Norway made their way to the European Team Championships Super League after topping the table at the First League in Izmir this weekend.

Turkey (329 points), Greece (307.5 points) and Norway (290 points) claimed the three promotion spots ahead of Romania (282.5). The Netherlands completed the top five with 265 points. Slovenia (200.5) and Croatia (178) were relegated to the second league after finishing at the bottom of the table in the 11^th and 12^th places respectively.

“It’s an amazing feeling that we made it to the Super League for the first time ever. I am proud of my team and equally proud of the crowd that cheered us through the two-days of the event,” said team captainand hammer thrower Ercument Olgundeniz.

Turkey rode to the top of the table on the back of a string of impressive performances especially in the track events. European 5000m champion Alemitu Bekele powered Turkey with a commanding win in her race clocking 15:37.15. Ireland’s Fionnuala Briton clocked 15:37.78 to finish ahead of former winner of the European Athletics Rising Star Karolina Bjerkeli Grovdal of Norway who cantered home in 15:44.92 to take the third spot.

“The Irish girl led from the start and made it a really good honest race so it suited me that it was fast. It was a great atmosphere to win in front on Turkish fans,” said Bekele after winning the race.

European indoor medallist Halil Akkas, who hails from Izmir, did not disappoint his home fans and romped home to an easy win in the men’s 3000m steeplechase clocking 8:45.01. Jukka Keskisalo of Finland finished second with a time of 8:45.73 while Norway’s Bjornar Ustad Kristensen finished third with 8:46.70.

“What a great result in front of my home fans and my home stadium. I am very pleased to play my part in the helping my team create history,” said Akkas.

Kemal Koyuncu powered home in the men’s 3000m with a time of 8.10.69 helping hosts Turkey to take the lead over Greece, who had led the team standings for most part of the two day event. Dennis Licht of the Netherlands finished second with a time of 8:10.95. Kim Ruell of Belgium collected 10 points for his team finishing third with 8:10.96.

One of the highlights of the day was provided by former European indoor champion Gregory Sedoc of the Netherlands who equalled his season’s best 13.39 to win the men’s 110m hurdles. Hungary’s Daniel Kiss finished second with 13.46 while Greek hurdler Konstadinos Douvalidis finished third clocking 13.51.

“I am in the shape of my life at the moment and was just two hundredths of a second away from my PB so I am in good place physically. I think I am ready to run faster than ever before in Paris in two weeks time, if I can sort out the problems I currently have with my federation,” said Sedoc.

Jaysuma Saidy Ndure continued from where he left on Saturday and clocked a blistering 20.32 to win the men’s 200m. Finland’s Jonathan Astrand finished second with a time of 20.50 ahead of Belgium’s Jonathan Borlee who clocked 20.56.

The Norwegian had also won the men’s 100m on Saturday with a time of 10.19.

Norwegian Christina Vukicevic continued her winning streak taking the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 12.87, Swiss Lisa Urech second with 12.90 while Slovenia’s Tomic Marina finished third with a time of 13.10.

“That was a top class field, with both the gold and silver medallist from Barcelona competing so it is great to win and get maximum points for the team. It was not a great race for me technically, I got a bad start and wobbled over the first hurdle so there is plenty of room for improvement,” said Vukicevic.

Veteran Romanian triple jumper Marian Oprea won his event with ease clearing a distance of 16.83m on his final attempt, while Greek Stravros Yeoryiou and Sindre Almsengen finished second and third with jumps of 16.02 and 15.57m respectively.

The Romanian tally was further boosted by Bianca Perie’s win in the women’s hammer throw with 70.37m. Merja Korpela of Finland collected 11 points with a throw of 68.68m while Alexandra Papayeoryiou of Greece third with 64.13m.

Ingvill Bovim Makestad won the 1500m in 4:25.92 ahead of hot favourite and local star Sultan Hayder and Finnish Johanna Lehtinen. The Finn overtook the home star in the last 2 meters to muster 11 points for Finland who were battling hard to avoid relegation. Lehtinen crossed the tape in 4:26.05 while Haydar reached home in 4:26.50.

Finnish Arri Mannio expectedly won the men’s Javelin with a throw of 81.24m.

Robert Fazekas of Hungary defeated home star and the discus champion from European Cup winter Throwing champion Ercument Olgundeniz with a throw of 62.31. The Turkish could only finish third behind Finn Mikko Kyyro 62.09 with a throw of 61.98m.

Belgian Borlee brothers lived up to their reputation and guided their team to an impressive victory in the 4×400 relay along with Arnaud Destatte and Antoine Gillet in 3:01.59.

Final team standings:

1.   Turkey 329
2.   Greece 307.5
3.   Norway 290
4.   Romania 282.5
5.   The Netherlands 278
6.   Hungary 265
7.   Switzerland 251.5
8.   Finland 248
9.   Belgium 245.5
10. Ireland 224.5
11. Slovenia 200.5
12. Croatia 178

European Athletics (EAA) – News