European U20 champion Erika Saraceni of Italy leapt out to a personal best of 14.50m to lead the qualifiers for the women’s triple jump final.
In summary
- 20-year-old Saraceni shines on European Athletics Championships debut
- Jacobsen leads women’s hammer qualifiers as Wlodarczyk qualifies for seventh final
- Thorner, Krause and Meyer through in women’s 3000m steeplechase heats
In only her second competition of the year after returning from a hernia operation, the precociously talented Italian landed at 14.50m on her second attempt. Her fellow Italian Dariya Derkach was the next-best qualifier with 14.42m.
Two-time European long jump champion Ivana Spanovic of Serbia was also among the qualifiers for Thursday’s (13) final with 14.21m.
In the women’s hammer, Danish champion Katrine Koch Jacobsen led the qualifiers with 72.62m. Defending champion Sara Fantini of Italy also progressed with 70.51m, as did Finnish favourites Silja Kosonen (72.02m) and Krista Tervo (70.42m).
Three-time Olympic champion Anita Wlodarczyk booked her place in the seventh European women’s hammer final of her illustrious career with 68.70m.
In the women’s 3000m steeplechase heats, European leader Elise Thorner of Great Britain won heat two in 9:32.40 to progress to Thursday’s final. She will be joined by the German duo of Lea Meyer and Gesa Krause, who dominated the first heat.
2022 silver medallist Meyer won in 9:32.21, with 2016 and 2018 champion Krause on her shoulder in 9:32.27.
The 12 top-ranked athletes have byes to Tuesday’s (11) women’s 100m hurdles semifinals. But in Monday’s heats, Germany’s Rosina Schneider topped the qualifiers, winning heat three in 12.76 (0.5m/s).
What they said...
Ivana Spanovic: “It was fun and I am happy because I managed to qualify with my first jump. The qualifications are always the same - there is the adrenaline and the rush, and now the job done.
“I always feel the excitement and that is the reason why I am still doing it. I am still enjoying it every time I compete. Every competition is different and since I switched from long jump to the triple jump, it is even crazier.
“It is still a bit new for me, and I love the way I am challenging myself to go out to do something for the first time under pressure. I put the expectations on myself. I am the one who is pushing me forward all these years.”
Silja Kosonen: “I intend to throw far, I want to get the gold medal. I have been fourth or fifth so many times that I really want to get the medal. I think I am in really good shape and I just want to do my best.”
Elise Thorner: “The race was amazing. Just hearing all these British fans was incredible. It was a slower race, and I do not like slower races. It was really nerve wracking out there. I didn't know how many were chasing me. I am just glad I executed well.”