Stefan Nillessen won the biggest title of his career as he sprinted to men’s 1500m gold at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships on Saturday (15).
The Dutch athlete – a two-time European U23 gold medallist – picked his moment to perfection to overhaul the tiring British duo of Jake Wightman and Jake Heyward in the finishing straight, winning in 3:35.70.
Sweden’s Samuel Pihlström also found a late burst to take silver in 3:36.16, ahead of Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran, who took bronze in 3:36.24, as the British challenge faded.
In summary
- Nillessen wins with brilliant sprint finish as British leaders fade
- Sweden's Pihlström takes surprise silver ahead of Ireland's Coscoran
- World gold medallists Nader and Wightman out of medals
Nillessen kept a close watch on proceedings up front while sitting largely in the middle of the pack in the opening laps, alongside world champion Isaac Nader and former world champion Wightman.
Up front, Norway’s world bronze medallist Narve Gilje Nordås led the pack in the opening laps, with Heyward and Germany’s Robert Farken also in close attendance.
With every athlete still in contention as the bell sounded, Heyward took over up front and Wightman made his move too. The British duo led down the back straight, with Nillessen nosing into contention on the inside.
It looked all set for a British one-two as Wightman rounded Heyward into the finishing straight. But the chasing pack found an extra gear. Nillessen swept through to take control before Coscoran followed him past the fading British pair, only for the fast-finishing Pihlström to surge through and snatch silver.
Pihlström, who had spent almost the entire race at the back, came from nowhere to surge through for silver.
Heyward had to settle for fourth in 3:36.40, just ahead of his fast-finishing compatriot Arlo Ludewick in 3:36.65. Wightman faded to sixth in 3:37.18.
In an event that has become almost impossible to predict at major championships, Portugal’s Nader, world champion a year ago, finished last.
What they said:
Stefan Nillessen: “This smile won't go off my face for a long time. This gold medal is just insane, I even surprised myself a little with that sprint finish to be honest.
"I knew I felt good, but you don't know how the others feel. I was in front for a long time and knew that if I could get out, I would be in a good position.
“With 150m to go, I thought: OK, now I have to get out of that group. I have to make that gap, but I can't gamble on the inside. I went to the outside and with 100m I was like: let's send it, let's go. I even said let's go to myself and thought, wow, maybe the others even hear me saying that.
“I went, felt myself pulling away and looked at the screen 50m later and saw I had the gap. I got more and more excited. When I crossed the finish line, I saw my name. Crazy, really. This is amazing.
“When I got out of bed this morning, I really didn't think I was going to win the gold. Of course, I was hoping to be able to fight with the best and go for a medal. I was thinking about a sneaky silver or bronze, maybe, but gold was not something I was expecting.
“I had a lot of confidence, though, because I felt I was in great shape. I felt like I could compete as somewhat of an underdog, which probably helped me.
“I'm flying high, really, this is insane. There won't be any partying yet, as I still have one more month of the season to go. After that, it will be time to party. But first I want to finish the season on a high. With this feeling, I just want to keep going, see what more I can do.
“The gold medal means a lot to me, it shows I am one of the big boys. That helps with the confidence going forward to the next events and certainly for LA. That's where of course I want to shine again. This one is just such a big boost. I won't forget this effort.”
Samuel Pihlström: "I'm really overwhelmed. Second shouldn't be possible from where I started with one lap left to go.
"I felt so good with 300 metres to go and just took every step at a time - and I ended with a silver. In the last lap I felt like it was a long way up to the medals, but I was feeling strong so I just pushed on the back straight.
"I went in to the last straight knowing I'd have to close a big gap to finish in a good position. I wasn't sure if I was anywhere near winning, but here I am. It's just incredible."
Andrew Coscoran: "I knew I could do that. I was preparing for a race like that. It was burn up over the last 100m but I always have good wheels on the last straight, so I was happy.
"The race played into my hands. I just bided my time and waited for spots to open up and made my move. I knew I was going to get the medal with about 10 metres to go.
"This is unbelievable. For Ireland this is one of the biggest medal counts we've had in a long time. I'm chuffed and I think all of Ireland's chuffed."