Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui oozed confidence as he took a superb victory in the men’s 800m, grabbing a new championships record in the process.
The Madrid 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division is being streamed live on the European Athletics website courtesy of the Eurovision Sport Platform.
The European silver medallist went to the front early on and zipped through the bell at 52.07, tracked by France’s Corentin Magnou. On the back straight Italy’s Francesco Pernici began to charge and threateningly moved onto the shoulder of Attaoui.
Urged on by a partisan crowd, the Spaniard found another gear and pulled away again. He held his form perfectly on the home straight to win in 1:44.01, Magnou was rewarded for his efforts with a personal best of 1:44.39 in second and Magnou held off the chasing pack for third in 1:45.06.
"I knew I was the favourite. In addition, I competed in front of my home crowd, that was a plus and I thought winning was not enough today, that's why I decided to give the best possible show", confirmed the 23-year-old Spaniard afterwards.
Bebendorf sets another championship record in steeplechase
In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Daniel Arce made a bold bid for a Spanish double, but had to settle for second to Germany’s European bronze medallist Karl Bebendorf. Arce took over the lead with two laps to go and still led with 300 metres left, but it was at that point the German made the decisive move and sprinted clear.
Bebendorf crossed the finish in 8:20.43, yet another championship record in the Estadio Vallehermoso on the uniquely green CONICA track. Arce dug in for second in 8:22.04, fending off France’s Nicolas-Marie Daru, who placed third, just 0.35 further back.