Europe’s leading athletes put their country first at the European Athletics Team Championships which took place in Maribor, Slovenia and Madrid. Below are some of the best quotes from athletes across both events..
Femke Bol (NED), women’s 400m, 1st
“I'm really happy. It was a great competition. Natalia Bukowiecka is a European champion, and Paula Sevilla ran amazingly. So, I’m glad to keep the win for the team, collect all the points, and now just enjoy the moment. The Spanish people are so kind and I had the honour of running with Paula Sevilla that made it even more special.”
Paula Sevilla (ESP), women’s 400m, 3rd
“I was really nervous because there were high expectations on me, but I´m super happy. I did my personal best surrounded by my people, so I’m very happy. Now I just want to hug them all because what I did was thanks to them.”
Marta García (ESP), women’s 5000m, 2nd
“I have to admit that I had the 16 points in mind, and I tried. Of course, Nadia is Nadia. She’s an Olympic medallist. It was very difficult to beat her, but I think I lived up to the fans’ expectations. When I lost a couple of meters to Nadia, I changed the dynamic a little. I thought more about maintaining and protecting that second place just in case.”
Mohamed Attaoui (ESP), men’s 800m, 1st
“I was running at home, in front of my people. My family and friends had come to see me, and competing here with the national team jersey is an added bonus. I was nervous because I was maybe the favourite and I had to prove it."
Eugene Amo-Dadzie (GBR), men’s 100m, 1st
“Normally I’m in bed at this time. But I’m really really happy to be in Madrid. It’s great to run on this green track. And of course, I’m really happy to get the maximum points for Great Britain.”
Jason Joseph (SUI), men’s 110m hurdles, 1st
“I was out of the mix approaching that fifth hurdle or sixth hurdle even, and I really had to work my way back into the race. I’m happy that I could manage that, but it was hard. Obviously, everybody is cheering for the Spanish athletes. That’s totally normal. That’s totally fine. But I love the atmosphere overall. And yeah, it’s a fast track. It’s a different track, it’s green. You don’t see that everyday."
Silja Kosonen (FIN), women’s hammer throw, 2nd
“I really love the format of this competition. I used to play football, and I love the team aspect of it, like playing for a team. Sometimes athletics can be a bit lonely, especially if you’re training alone and you don’t see a lot of others. So, when we come here to compete as a team it’s really nice and I just do my best. I love the venue. Green is my favourite colour.”
Fatoumata Binta Diallo (POR), women’s 400m hurdles, 1st
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. On the paper I thought I was fourth, and to win this is something crazy. It’s really crazy for me. This is the most important win of my career, it’s the first time I win a European competition. It’s so cool to win 16 points for Portugal.”
Daniel Ståhl (SWE), men’s discus, 1st
“My goal was to do as best as I could for my country and for my team, get as many points as I could, and I did it, so I’m really happy about it. Madrid is a beautiful city and Spain is a beautiful country.”
Jaël Bestué (ESP), women’s 200m, 1st
“Honestly, I'm still not fully aware of what I've just done. I knew I was in great shape and that I had a real chance to set a personal best, but I'd never had the opportunity to run in an atmosphere like this, outdoors with perfect conditions and such an amazing crowd. I'm honestly blown away.”
Leonardo Fabbri (ITA), men’s shot put, 1st
“Last year was amazing for me, but it's not easy, when you come from such a great season, expectations are very high. I struggled in the first competitions this year, but now I've found the joy again.”
Elina Tzengko (GRE), women’s javelin, 1st
“I won three Diamond League meetings and today was my fourth win. I can say that I’m really proud and really happy about my performances. This stadium is great and the crowd was amazing. It’s the first time that I see a green carpet.”
Ilona Mononen (FIN), women’s 3000m steeplechase, 1st
“I expect to win, I knew that it was possible today. I wasn't expecting such a slow race, but I mean, I know that I have some speed in the legs, so I knew that at the last obstacle I have to go and I believed.”
Malaika Mihambo (GER), women’s long jump, 2nd
“In the end it was not enough today, and it’s ok. This is sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you’re second, that’s also good."
Julian Weber (GER), men’s javelin, 1st
” It was so much fun. I loved the track, the green track. The music was perfect all the time, so it was a lot a fun to compete here. I knew I’m in a really good shape and I knew I could win this with a good mark. But I was a little bit nervous. This European Team Championships is always a little bit different. We’re here with the full team and you want to give your best for the whole team.”
Sandra Elkasević (CRO), women’s discus 2nd Division, 1st
“It's important for me to be part of this competition. I have a championship record here and this is a good opportunity to show my young colleagues in the national team that you need to respect your country and try to get the maximum points. Even me who is competing in Diamond Leagues, World Championships ... I come here and give my best. I think that should be a role model for all the young athletes.”
Tina Šutej (SLO), women’s pole vault, 2nd Division, 1st
“It's super nice hearing the fans. The stadium is not that really big, not many stands but all the fans that are here are supporting us and when you hear them it's amazing. This is the first time we had this feeling for athletics in Slovenia and I'm just happy that I'm a part of it.”
Victoria Hudson (AUT), women’s javelin, 2nd Division, 1st
“I'm so proud. I would have never thought that I was going to throw over 67 meters today. I didn't feel super great going into the competition. Obviously the most important for me was to place in the top three. That was the goal and to get the points needed for the team. I managed to win which is super cool and world leading result it's incredible.”