European Cup Special, EME News by Alfons Juck

EME NEWS (JUNE 21, 2008) EUROPEAN CUP SPECIAL
Rankings after first day
SPAR European Cup
Men: 1. Great Britain 55, 2. Poland 52, 3. France 52, 4. Italy 46, 5. Germany 45, 6. Russia 37, 7. Spain 37, 8. Greece 35
Women: 1. Russia 71, 2. Ukraine 58, 3. Great Britain 51, 4. Poland 51, 5. France 42, 6. Italy 42, 7. Belarus 40, 8. Germany 39
First League
A-group
Men: 1. Portugal 61, 2. Czech Republic 58, 3. Netherlands 53, 4. Finland 43, 5. Belgium 42, 6. Austria 39, 7. Belarus 36, 8. Norway 28
Women: 1. Spain 64, 2. Czech Republic 57, 3. Portugal 54, 4. Belgium 53, 5. Netherlands 47, 6. Lithuania 44, 7. Finland 38, 8. Ireland 37
B-group
Men: 1. Ukraine 53.5, 2. Slovenia 49, 3. Sweden 49, 4. Hungary 47.5, 5. Romania 46, 6. Turkey 45.5, 7. Switzerland 36, 8. Croatia 32.5
Women: 1. Greece 68, 2. Romania 65, 3. Bulgaria 51.5, 4. Sweden 47, 5. Hungary 43, 6. Turkey 42.5, 7. Serbia 40, 8. Croatia 39
Second League
A-group
Men: 1. Latvia 62, 2. Estonia 59, 3. Ireland 54, 4. Denmark 47, 5. Bulgaria 45, 6. Lithuania 39, 7. Iceland 33, 8. Luxembourg 21
Women: 1. Estonia 64, 2. Norway 63, 3. Switzerland 62, 4. Latvia 54, 5. Austria 52, 6. Iceland 40, 7. Denmark 37, 8. Luxembourg 22
B-group
Men: 1. Serbia 117, 2. Slovakia 114, 3. Cyprus 113, 4. Israel 95, 5. Moldava 93, 6. Georgia 85.5, 7. Bosnia 83, 8. Azerbaijan 66, 9. Armenia 61, 10. Montenegro 59.5, 11. AASSE 46, 12. Albania 37, 13. Andorra 33, 14. Macedonia 30
Women: 1. Slovenia 145, 2. Slovakia 127, 3. Moldava 125, 4. Cyprus 120, 5. Israel 113, 6. Bosnia 96, 7. AASSE 70, 8. Armenia 55, 9. Georgia 52, 10. Montenegro 49, 11. Andorra 42, 12. Albania 34, 13. Azerbaijan 33, 14. Macedonia 29
European Team Championships 2009 qualification, current standings based on first day results
Super League: 1. Russia 835, 2. Poland 820, 3. Great Britain 801.5, 4. Italy 758, 5. France 756, 6. Germany 748, 7. Ukraine 743.5, 8. Spain 728, 9. Greece 728, 10. Portugal 692, 11. Czech Republic 675, 12. Romania 665
First League: 1. Sweden 654.5, 2. Slovenia 649.5, 3. Belarus 602.5, 4. Hungary 600.5, 5. Netherlands 595.5, 6. Turkey 585.5, 7. Belgium 583.5, 8. Finland 541.5, 9. Serbia 531, 10. Bulgaria 522, 11. Croatia 503, 12. Slovakia 491.5
Second League: 1. Estonia 489.5, 2. Norway 481.5, 3. Ireland 476, 4. Switzerland 471.5, 5. Latvia 458, 6. Austria 443.5, 7. Cyprus 439.5, 8. Lithuania 419.5
Third League: 1. Moldava 394.5, 2. Denmark 374, 3. Israel 347, 4. Iceland 324, 5. Bosnia 296, 6. Luxemburg 212, 7. Georgia 201.5, 8. Azerbaijan 170.5, 9. Armenia 168, 10. AASSE 157, 11. Montenegro 148, 12. Albania 125, 13. Andorra 93, 14. Macedonia 76
REPORTS
SPAR European Cup: Four European Leads, sensation in women javelin
ANNECY (FRA): With 71 points Russia is comfortably in the lead in the women’s competition while Great-Britain (55 points) stands with a three point lead over Poland and France after Day one. Four European leads were recorded during the day where warm temperatures didn’t favour performances in distance events. The women’s Russian team strengthened their lead in the last event with victory and European lead in the 4x100m (42.80) ahead of the British quartett (42.95) and Italy that set a new national record of 43.04 while the French team was disqualified. Another Russian, Yuliya Golubchikova had a great series in the women’s pole vault, clearing all heights from 4.45m en route to a European lead of 4.73m at her first attempt, before failing at 4.80m. Behind her Anna Rogowska of Poland improved her season’s best by one centimeter to 4.66m, while German Silke Spiegelburg was third with 4.59m and Ukraine’s Nataliya Kushch fourth, equalling her 4.52m national record. In an interesting duel Ukraine’s Anastasya Rabchenyuk outrun Osaka bronze medalist Anna Jesien of Poland in the 400m hurdles, setting a personal best and European lead of 54.64 to Jesien’s 54.81.Russian Andrey Silnov became the third European to clear 2.32 in the high jump beside Yaroslav Rybakov and France’s Mickael Hanany to win the event ahead of Italian Andrea Bettinelli who tied his season’s best of 2.30m. Ukraine’s Olha Saladuha was a logical winner in the women’s triple jump, with a season’s best of 14.73m in her only valid attempt while France’s Teresa Nzola Meso Ba is getting back to shape with a best effort of 14.51m. Greece Louis Tsatoumas won the long jump with 8.17m ahead of Pole Marcin Starzak (8.09m). 2004 Olympic champion Yulia Nesterenko of Belarus clocked her best time this year in the 100m (11.17) ahead of Emma Ania of Great-Britain (11.22) while Briton Tyrone Edgar claimed victory in the men’s race, 10.20 into a 1.8 headwind, ahead of France’s Martial Mbandjock (10.25). Despite the loss of Craig Pickering to injury, British team still managed to prevail in the 4x100m, clocking 38.48 ahead of Poland’s 38.61. Germany finished initially first (38.30) but was disqualified. There was a British double in the 400m as Martin Rooney won the men’s race in 45.33 while Nicola Sanders dominated the women’s event in 51.17 for her season’s debut after a calf injury. The women’s 800m went to Jenny Meadows of Great-Britain (2:01.20) who was sporting a black ribbon for her father who passed away recently, while Mehdi Baala outrun Spain’s Arturo Casado in a thrilling finish in the 1500m (3:40.55 to 3:40.70) for the only home victory of the day. Pole Lidia Chojecka had the edge in the women’s 3000m clocking 9:03.49 while Briton Mo Farah made a solo effort in the men’s 5000m (13:44.07). Steeplechase world record holder Gulnara Galkina prevailed by a small edge over Ukraine’s Valentyna Horpynych, 9:35.32 to 9:35.42. The men’s 400m hurdles was dominated by Periklis Iakovakis (49.15) ahead of Marek Plawgo of Poland (49.44), on the stadium where he won his world junior crown ten years ago. Pole Szymon Ziolkowski reaped a sixth European Cup victory and achieved a season’s best in the men’s hammer with a best effort of 79.26m. Russian Aleksey Zagornyi had to settle for a disappointing 6th (71.76) after fouling his first three attempts. Belarus Natallia Shymchuk set a new national record in the women’s javelin (63.24m) while Britain’s Goldie Sayers and German Christina Obergföll could only manage third (57.76m) and fourth (57.07m). In the women’s discus Ukraine’s Nataliya Semenova (62.25m) was defeated by Russia’s Svetlana Saykina who improved her personal best by almost one meter and a half in the process (62.56m). German Peter Sack, won the shot put with 20.41m but didn’t use his last two throws after injuring his leg at his second attempt.
First League, A-group: Obikwelu 10.16, Janku 230, Spotakova 63.79
LEIRIA (POR): Windy and hot conditions in the Portugal celebrated home sprinting wins for European Champion Francis Obikwelu at 100 m (10.16, +1.5, fastest from all groups) and his team at 4×100 m (39.47). World Champion Nelson Evora won his second event Long Jump with 788 and beat by 2 cm World 2005 medalist Tommi Evila of Finland (786). That helped to overnight lead for the home squad but with just three points ahead of Czech Republic (61-58). Czechs had three wins, the best the Olympic standard 230 cm for High Jumper Tomas Janku. He achieved that mark in first attempt and tried on European lead 233. “That was the right time for the standard,” he was quoted. Ondrej Danek won the 400 m Hurdles (50.18) and Michal Sneberger the 1500 m (3:43.15). Osaka discus medalist Rutger Smith scored the expected shot put win with 20.50 m for Netherlands and it was the best shot put from all groups. Netherlands men are third after first day and were happy from PB of Patrick Van Luijk who was second at 100 m (10.25). Kevin Borlee scored the 400 m win for Belgium in difficult wind (46.84), Austrian Gunther Weidlinger in fast finish dominated the 5000 m (14:18.73) and Belarus got the hammer with Aleksandr Vashchylo (76.10).
Spain is leading the women here with 64 points ahead of Czechs (57) and Portugal (54). Spain running wins for Rosa Morato in steeple (9:36.27), Dolores Checa at 3000 m (8:54.92) and in technical events by Pole Vaulter Naora Agirre (440) and triple jumper Carlota Castrejana (13.81, +2.4). Three expected wins for Czech Team. World champion Barbora Spotakova dominated the javelin with three 60+ efforts (63.79-62.49-61.95) and achieved the weekend´s best mark in her event. Vera Cechlova was first in discus (60.84) and Zuzana Hejnova at 400 m Hurdles (56.16). European champion Kim Geveart won the 100 m for Belgium clocking 11.36 against -1.0 wind. Hurdles Golden League jackpot contender Josephine Onyia tested her speed as second (11.45). Belgium also won the 4×100 m with 44.03. Portugal celebrated national record for Silvia Cruz in javelin as second 59.76 and beat Spain´s European medalist Mercedes Chilla (59.40).
First League, B-group: World leading discus by Grasu 66.51
ISTANBUL (TUR): World leading discus by Romanian Nicoleta Grasu (66.51) was the highlight of first day at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Ukrainian men are leading here (53.5) surprisingly Slovenia second (49) with Sweden (49) on the same level. Greek and Romanian women (68-65) are having an important margin over other team (third Bulgaria 51.5). Expected triple jump ended with clear win of World medalist and world leader Hrysopyi Devetzi of Greece (14.68 +1.8, also 14.65 and 14.61 in series). Romanian Adelina Gavrila was second (14.21, 0.0) beating Serbian Biljana Topic (14.18,+2.1) and multi-star Carolina Kluft (14.10, +2.4). Bulgaria had the fastest women here with Inna Eftimova winning the 100 m (11.48,+2.1), Ivet Lalova clocking 11.28 (+2.9) in extra race and together dominating the 4×100 m (43.95). Tsvetelina Kirilova scored important 400 m Hurdles win for Bulgaria too (56.87, was also later third at 400 m 53.47). Romanian Liliana Popescu showed her good shape with 2:00.50 800 m triumph. Greek wins also for Afroditi Skafida in Pole Vault (442) and Irina Kokkinariou in steeple (9:37.57). Here second Romanian Cristina Casandra (9:40.84) and third Asli Cakir national record for Turkey (9:43.34). Home win for Alemitu Bekele at 3000 m (9:26.64) and two top positions for Hungary (53.96 for Barbara Petrahn at 400 m and 57.91 for Nikolett Szabo in javelin).
Olympic champion Stefan Holm opened the season with 225 cm win (in third and tried for 230). Hungarian Krisztian Pars unexpectedly beat in hammer the winner of last big meetings Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia (78.32-77.01) with home co-favorite Esref Apak only fifth (71.84). High quality in difficult winds the 45.85 400 m by Swede Johan Wissman. Osaka finalist Matic Osovnikar of Slovenia clocked windy 10.24 (+4.3) at 100 m ahead of Dmytro Hlushchenko of Ukraine (10.29). But Ukraine was later the force at 4×100 m after 39.68. Home win for European Cup 10 000 m winner Selim Bayrak at 5000 m (14:01.12) and for Hungary by Lajos Kurthy in Shot Put (19.67). Swiss Julien Fivaz got his big win of career with windy 805 (+2.9) in Long Jump.
Second League, A-group: Hession windy 10.30 at 100 m
TALLINN (EST): In bad weather Latvian men are leading after first day with three points ahead of home team (62-59). Third is Ireland (54) showing its sprinting potential as Paul Hession won the 100 m (10.30, +2.1) and Paul McKee the 400 m (46.68). Danish record holder Morten Jensen achieved good 780 (0.0) Long Jump win ahead of Bulgarian 8-metres athlete Nikolay Atanasov (769). Good home win for Taavi Peetre in Shot Put (19.76) and for Iceland record holder Bergur-Ingi Petturson (71.44).
In the women competition even closer situation after first day. First three teams are separated by 2 points. Estonia leads (64) ahead of Norway (63) and Switzerland (62). Norway´s European junior champion Ezinne Okparaebo scored 100 m win (11.54) and helped her team to win the 4×100 m in good 44.35. New javelin record for Iceland as Ajdis Hjalmsdottir achieved 57.49 m. Expected win for Iceland also in Pole Vault by Thorey Elisdottir (420 cm). Swiss Sabine Fischer clocked fast PB at 3000 m 9:06.81 and Austrian record holder Andrea Mayr won the steeple (9:50.95).
Second League, B-group: Charfreitag the best hammer from all groups 79.56
BANSKA BYSTRICA (SVK): Serbian men and Slovenian women are leading after first day of 2nd League B-group in Banska Bystrica. This Central Slovakian city is hosting European Cup for the fourth time since 2000 and so is for many already a familiar place. In nice summer weather some interesting results for 2009 nation rankings were achieved. The best male result at near-by hammer place for home Osaka bronze medalist Libor Charfreitag who won clearly after 78.48 in first, two fouls and 79.56 in last round. “I wanted 80 m, but it was too long today with too much time waiting,” he said. It was the best hammer from all groups. More than 600 athletes were entered because in each category 14 teams were competing. Another great mark by 37-years old former European champion Dragutin Topic of Serbia who jumped 215 in first, then passed 218 and 221 and came to achieve 224 in first attempt. His main rival Slovak Peter Horak achieved 221 in third attempt and had close misses at 224. Topic then finished the competition. He also showed some of his abilities in jumping 200 cm only in third attempt, but with scissors. Serbia´s boost to lead was also good tactical race by Mirko Petrovic who was leading from the begin at the 1500 m (3:46.20). Slovakia got other two individual wins (Milan Haborak in Shot Put 19.15 and Peter Znava at 400 m 46.87), but is behind the motivated Serbia by 3 points after first day.
Fast sprint by Azerbaijani Ruslan Abbasov who improved his best in first race (always two heats in lane races) to 10.31 (0.0). In second race also good quality 10.38 for Panagiotis Ioannou of Cyprus (+0.9). Azerbaijan showed its sprint shape also in winning the 4×100 m in new national record 39.97. Other wins for Israel at 5000 m (Jossef Gesachw in slow race 14:19.66), Cyprus at 400 m Hurdles (new import from Greece Minas Alozidis 51.48) and Albania in Long Jump (Admir Bregu 756 cm).
Slovenia dominated the women events with seven wins out from 11 events of the first day. Sara Oresnik started with PB 57.02 at 400 m Hurdles, sprinter Alenka Bikar who is returning after baby-break continued with 100 m (11.59, 0.0), Sabina Veit with 53.68 at 400 m and experienced middle distance runner Sonja Roman won the 3000 m (9:14.86, beating former Kenyan Lucy Kimani who represents Bosnia 9:15.70). Javelin record holder Martina Ratej dominated her event with only valid throw 58.05 and had long fouls. Tina Sutej won the Pole Vault (410) when pre-competition favorite Anna Fitidou of Cyprus jumped only four metres. The final point came in 4×100 m when Slovenia easily won after 44.97. Home Slovakia celebrated two expected wins with Dana Veldakova in triple jump (14.16, after she lost the lead in second round to Slovenian Snezana Rodic 13.91) and 800 m European leader Lucia Klocova who in nice duel beat Osaka finalist Brigita Langerholc of Slovenia (2:02.49-2:04.11). Israel national record holder Sivan Jean won the discus as expected (53.27) and Oksana Zhuravel clocked good quality national record in women steeple for Moldova after a solo race 9:46.88.
Used with permission of the publisher.