The Spanish athletics team secured three key qualification berths alongside a series of early exits during the morning session of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, according to reports from sports outlets covering the event. Dani Arce, Alejandro Quijada, and sprinter Paula Sevilla all advanced through their respective preliminary rounds on a demanding track.
Dani Arce and Alejandro Quijada Advance in 3,000m Steeplechase
Dani Arce delivered an authoritative performance in the second semifinal of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking 8:34.47 to finish first in his heat. The Burgos native, who secured a bronze medal at the 2022 European Championships in Munich following a subsequent disqualification, dictated the pace after overtaking Poland’s Maciej Megier near the two-kilometer mark, according to race accounts.
Reflecting on his tactical approach, Arce explained that he preferred to control the tempo himself to avoid trouble, recalling a fall at the previous World Championships. “With a clear head, I increased the pace with a clear head. I prefer it to be comfortable for me, even if I have to pull,” Arce stated after the race, noting that his sensations on the track were very good.
Joining him in the final is Alejandro Quijada, who navigated a slow-paced second semifinal during a hot morning session where temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. The Madrid athlete maintained a position near the front, finishing seventh in his heat with a time of 8:36.92 to secure a qualification spot among the top eight, according to published results.
Paula Sevilla Breaks Through in the 400-Meter Semifinals
Paula Sevilla produced one of the standout performances of the morning by qualifying for the 400-meter final with a personal best of 50.21 seconds, finishing third in the third semifinal. Her time placed her just 54 centésimas shy of Sandra Myers’ national record of 49.67, in a race won by Norway’s Henriette Jaeger in 49.80, as reported by sports journalists on site.
“At first I had many doubts. I saw myself in the race, I pulled in the home straight and I am super happy with the mark. I didn’t expect this performance,” Sevilla said. The former 200-meter specialist expressed disbelief at her transition to the longer sprint distance, adding that she hopes to truly enjoy competing among Europe’s top eight.
Eliminations and Early Exits for Spanish Contingent
While Sevilla advanced, her compatriots in the 400-meter event fell short of the final. Blanca Hervás finished fourth in her semifinal heat with a time of 51.12, briefly holding a repechage spot before faster times in subsequent heats pushed her out.
In the women’s 800-meter semifinals, both Marta Mitjans and Rocío Arroyo were eliminated. Mitjans, 19, clocked 1:59.91 to finish sixth in her race after having run a personal best and under-23 national record of 1:58.52 earlier in the competition. Arroyo placed eighth in her semifinal heat with a time 1,59.32, competing in a race won by Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson in 1:57.38 ahead of the Netherlands’ Femke Bol in 1:57.46.
Additional exits included Una Stancev, who failed to clear 1.91 meters in the women’s pole vault qualification rounds and was eliminated at 1.88 meters, and Oriol Sánchez, who pulled up with right leg discomfort and did not finish the 200-meter preliminary round.
Controversy and Next Steps in Birmingham
The morning session also featured a controversial incident in the 800-meter semifinals involving Swiss runner Audrey Werro. The pre-race favorite suffered a fall on the track and finished eighth, but was subsequently recalified alongside Lithuania’s Galvydite, setting up a competitive final that will include Hodgkinson and Bol.
Spanish athletics fans and team officials now look ahead to the remaining qualification rounds and upcoming finals in Birmingham, with Manu Quijera scheduled to compete in the javelin throw qualification.
