The opening day of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham delivered high drama on Monday, highlighted by Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen capturing his fourth outdoor continental 5,000-meter title following a lengthy recovery from left Achilles tendon issues, while the Spanish contingent placed fifth in the mixed 4×400-meter relay.
Ingebrigtsen Claims 17th Continental Crown in Birmingham
Returning to major competition after months on the sidelines due to persistent injuries in his left Achilles tendon, Jakob Ingebrigtsen raced to victory in the men’s 5,000-meter final. According to track reports, the Norwegian star managed the tactical race deliberately, hanging back during the opening three kilometers as Switzerland’s Lobalu pushed the pace.
Although France’s Jimmy Gressier and Germany’s Florian Bremm momentarily surged past him on the penultimate straight, Ingebrigtsen recovered on the final stretch to cross the finish line first in 13:15.29. Florian Bremm secured the silver medal in 13:15.60, while France’s Etienne Daguinos took bronze in 13:16.09.
«It’s incredible. It has been a very complicated stage for me and a very difficult path to reach this moment,» Ingebrigtsen stated in post-race remarks broadcast by Teledeporte. «In the last kilometer, I felt I could achieve it, and now what I want is to return to my maximum level.»
The victory marks the middle Ingebrigtsen brother’s 17th individual continental title across outdoor, cross-country, and indoor championships.
Spain Places Fifth in Mixed 4×400 Relay Debut
Earlier in the program, the Spanish team made its debut in the mixed 4×400-meter relay, a discipline introduced at the continental level in 2024. Following a qualifying setback in the individual events for Ángel González, the Spanish quartet composed of David García, Paula Sevilla, Asabu Pines, and Blanca Hervás finished fifth overall with a time of 3:12.29.
Norway claimed the gold medal and set a new national record of 3:09.62, anchored by a strong finish from Henriette Jaeger after opening legs that featured hurdler Karsten Warholm. Great Britain secured the silver medal in 3:10.47, and the Netherlands took bronze in 3:10.77.
«We’ve had good sensations despite the times, although perhaps we were looking for more,» newcomer Asabu Pines told reporters. Anchor runner Blanca Hervás added: «There is an incredible level, and the best thing is that we are at that level. Our objective was to fight for the medals and we have been close.»
Marta Serrano Advances to steeplechase Final
In other opening-day action, Madrid native Marta Serrano advanced to the final of the women’s 3,000-meter obstacles. Competing in her first senior European championship after winning a silver medal at the under-23 level last year, Serrano navigated her semifinal carefully to finish sixth in her heat with a time of 9:34.79.
Germany’s Meyer won her heat in 9:32.21 alongside compatriot Gesa Felicitas Krause, securing qualification for Tuesday’s medal round. Meanwhile, British runner Thorner captured the other semifinal heat in 9:32.40.
Next Session and Events to Watch
Competition continues on Tuesday in Birmingham, featuring the medal finals in the men’s long jump—where Spanish qualifiers Eusebio Cáceres, Jaime Guerra, and Lester Lescay will compete—alongside the conclusion of the women’s steeplechase.
Worth a look
