13th December 2012 02:51
With 500m to go over the frozen earth of the 4km course it seemed that the 19 year old Serb would have to settle for silver as defending champion, Emelia Gorecka of Great Britain, had inched into a five metre lead that looked decisive.
But that was the cue for the world junior 1500m silver medallist to employ her finishing kick to such effect that she flew past the British champion to cross the line with a comfortable nine seconds to spare and claim a jubilant gold.
After finishing second in 2010 and third last year in this event it looked as though the chance to finally claim gold at this age group was slipping away from Terzić. But in the end it was made to look all too easy.
That made it nine youth and junior medals in total on the track and over cross country for the tall Serb who runs for AC Novi Beograd making her by far the country's most successful junior ever.
'This was my last junior season,' said Terzić, 'and today I had the goal to beat my great rivals as I finally bid farewell and join the seniors.'
It will not quite be the seniors of course. European Athletics created an under 23 category to serve as a stepping stone to the seniors. Next year Terzić will be competing against other sub-23 competitors when these championships are held in her home town of Belgrade. On Sunday's evidence she will be a handful.
'My coach, Zilfat Rikić, prepared me immaculately for this race,' noted Terzić. 'And I felt great. I hope to run well against older rivals in Belgrade next year.
'I train twice a day and pay proper attention to diet and regular training as well as rest of course. It's all about dedication and discipline. These are the little things that will lead me to the top.'
Terzić became double European champion on the track last year when she lifted both the 1500m and 3000m in Tallin. This summer she set lifetime bests over 1000m (2:39.79) and when she took silver at the world juniors in Barcelona reduced her 1500m best to 4:07.59, a national junior record and European junior leading time.
'I'm slowly progressing,' commented Terzić. 'I shall continue to take it step by step and see how far along the road I can get.'
Rikić paid tribute to his charge after the race on Sunday: 'Amela is a true professional and someone with whom it is a pleasure to work. Amela trains and studies at the Faculty for Physical Culture and is fully committed to high performance athletics. She does not even go to the disco like other young people because she does not want to waste her energy. I am certain we will see her on the podium in senior competition,' he forecast.