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Italy has once again proven its athletic prowess, securing their second consecutive European Team Championships title in Madrid. Two years after their inaugural victory in Silesia, the “Azzurra” squad showcased remarkable consistency across 37 events, amassing an impressive 431.5 points. Despite clinching only three individual victories (compared to the Netherlands’ eight), Italy’s depth and regular high-scoring performances solidified their back-to-back championship reign.

Poland finished strong in second place with 405.5 points, while Germany secured third with 397 points, mirroring the podium from Silesia 2023. Spain, the host nation, harbored top-three aspirations until the final day but ultimately landed in sixth place with 378 points, just 6.5 points shy of fourth.

Sadly, Ukraine (213 points), Finland (220.5 points), and Lithuania (178.5 points) will be relegated to the Second Division. Meanwhile, Belgium, Slovenia, and Norway have earned promotion for the 2027 edition.

Record-Breaking Performances Light Up Vallehermoso

The final evening of the championships in Vallehermoso stadium was electrifying, picking up right where the previous day left off with a flurry of record-breaking performances:

• Women’s 200m: Spanish sensation Jaël Bestué delivered a stunning performance, shattering her second national record of the weekend with a time of 22.19. This not only set a new Spanish record but also a Championship Record, established her as the European leader in 2025, and marked the sixth-best continental performance in Europe. Her 16 points were crucial for Spain. French Helene Parisot (22.42) and German Sophia Junk (22.53) also achieved personal bests.
  
  
• Men’s 200m: The record-breaking continued as Dutch Xavi Mo-Ajok smashed the Championship Record with an incredible 20.01, making him the season’s European leader. Italy’s Eseosa Fostine Desalu added 15 points with 20.18, and Great Britain’s Toby Harries secured 14 with 20.25. Spanish Adrià Alfonso finished seventh with a personal best of 20.57.
  
  
• Shot Put: Italian Leonardo Fabbri extended Italy’s lead with a dominant shot put victory, throwing 21.68m, just 15 centimeters shy of the Championship Record. Sweden’s Wictor Petersson also surpassed 21 meters (21.10m) for second, and Poland’s Konrad Bukowiecki earned 14 points with 20.55m.
  
  
• Women’s Javelin Throw: Greece’s Elina Tzengko claimed victory in the javelin with a throw of 62.23m, one of only two athletes to exceed 60 meters. Polish Maria Andrejczyk finished second with 60.42m, and Lithuania’s Liveta Jasiunaite took third with 58.88m. Paula Rodríguez contributed seven points to Spain with her 52.43m throw.
  
  
• 1500m Races: In the women’s 1500m, French Agathe Guillemot won a tactical race in 4:08.72, ahead of Portugal’s Salomé Afonso (4:09.01) and Great Britain’s Revee Walcott-Nolan (4:09.16). Águeda Marqués added 10 points for Spain with 4:10.62. For the men, Portugal’s Isaac Nader delivered a spectacular kick in the final 150m to secure 16 points with 3:39.08. The Netherlands’ Stephan Nillessen (3:39.97) and Poland’s Filip Rak (3:40.14) followed. Spain’s Adrián Ben finished just behind them with 3:40.31.
  
  
• High Jump: World record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine impressed in the high jump, clearing 2.00m to win the event, despite facing challenges at lower heights. Poland’s Maria Zodzik placed second with 1.97m, and Germany’s Imke Onnen was third with 1.94m. Spanish Ona Bonet matched her personal best of 1.88m, securing eighth place and nine points for the host nation.
  
  
• 3000m Steeplechase: In the women’s 3000m steeplechase, local favorite Marta Serrano led for much of the race but was outpaced in the final lap. Finland’s Ilona Mononen won by a mere 0.03 seconds (9:49.21) over Great Britain’s Sarah Tait. Kinga Królik finished third with 9:49.80, and Spain’s Serrano took fourth with 9:50.08.
  
  
• Men’s 5000m: The final individual race saw another Dutch triumph, as Niels Laros unleashed a powerful kick in the last 200 meters of the 5000m. He stopped the clock at 13:44.45. Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, who had made a move earlier, was overtaken at the finish by Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu, resulting in Lobalu (13:45.37) taking second and Ndikumwenayo (13:45.38) third.
  
  
• Men’s Javelin Throw: Germany’s Julian Weber threw the javelin over 85 meters (85.15m), significantly contributing to Germany’s battle for second place in the standings. Ukraine’s Artur Felfner was second with 80.54m, and Lithuania’s Edis Matusevicius took third with 78.26m. Spanish Manu Quijera finished sixth with 77.26m.
  
  
• Women’s Long Jump: Italy’s Larissa Iapichino capped off her country’s stellar performance with a dominant long jump victory, leaping 6.92m, just three centimeters shy of the Championship Record. This win echoed the success of her mother, Fiona May, who frequently won at the European Cup in the late nineties. Germany’s Malaika Mihambo (6.84m) and Portugal’s Agate de Sousa (also 6.84m) finished second and third respectively.
  
  
• Mixed 4x400m Relay: The Madrid 2025 European Team Championships concluded with the spirited mixed 4x400m relay, an event that perfectly embodies the competition’s ethos. Poland, propelled by an “imperial” final leg from Natalia Bukowiecka, secured the win with a new national record, Championship Record, and 2025 world-leading performance of 3:09.43. Italy followed closely with their own national record of 3:09.66, narrowly edging out Great Britain in a photo finish. Spain wrapped up their championships with a fourth-place finish, sweetened by a new national record of 3:10.48.

Day 3 of the Madrid 2025 European Team Championships concluded with another evening of record-breaking performances, bringing the total Championship Records to 10. The placings table saw significant shifts, leaving all battles open for the final day. Italy currently leads with a superb team effort, accumulating 290 points despite not securing any individual event wins. Germany and Poland hold the provisional podium spots, with the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Spain hot on their heels, all within a 20-point gap. In the relegation zone, only a miracle can save Lithuania, while Finland and Ukraine still have a fighting chance to remain in the First Division.

In the men’s long jump, Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou delivered on his promise to break his own record at Vallehermoso. After an initial jump of 8.15m, he improved dramatically on his second attempt with a world-leading and Championship Record leap of 8.46m, securing 16 points. Sweden’s Thobias Montler took second with 8.08m, and Italy’s Mattia Furlani finished third with 8.07m. Spain’s Lester Lescay risked it all on his third attempt after two fouls, managing 7.80m for ninth place.7

Just weeks before her 40th birthday, the evergreen Anita Włodarczyk of Poland once again earned 16 points in the hammer throw. The world record holder achieved her best throw of the season with 73.34m, surpassing Finland’s Silja Kosonen (73.09m) and Great Britain’s Anna Purchase (71.41m). Spain’s Laura Redondo contributed 10 points with a throw of 65.93m.

In the men’s high jump, Czechia’s Jan Stefela had a contest of a lifetime, securing 16 points by smashing his personal best with 2.33m, making him the only athlete to clear 2.30m. Italy’s Matteo Sioli was second with 2.27m, and Germany’s Tobias Potye third with 2.24m. Spain’s David González, still under 23, set a personal best of 2.21m, earning 11 points for his team.

Germany’s Caroline Joyeux clinched victory in the women’s triple jump on her final attempt with a jump of 14.42m. Sweden’s Maja Åskag had briefly taken the lead with her sixth jump of 14.18m. Italy’s Erika Saraceni rounded out the top three with 14.08m.

In the discus, the legendary Daniel Ståhl of Sweden dominated the competition. He won comfortably with a throw of 68.36m, with all his throws exceeding 66 meters. Young German Mika Sosna took second with 66.16m, and Great Britain’s Lawrence Okoye was third with 65.83m. Spain’s Diego Casas surpassed expectations, finishing fourth with 64.77m.

The 110m hurdles saw Switzerland’s Jason Joseph live up to his favorite status, winning in 13.24, just 0.03 seconds ahead of Italy’s Lorenzo Simonelli. Great Britain’s Tade Ojora (13.36) narrowly edged out Spain’s Quique Llopis (13.40) in the battle for third.

In the 100m hurdles, a slight excess wind of +2.2 m/s prevented another Championship Record. However, spectators at Vallehermoso witnessed a thrilling photo finish between the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser and Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, with Kambundji taking the win in 12.39. Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska finished third with 12.60. Spain’s Xènia Benach dipped under 13 seconds for the first time ever (12.94, with legal wind in heat B), earning 9 points.

The women’s 800m delivered the second record of the afternoon, as France’s Anaïs Bourgoin and Switzerland’s Audrey Werro engaged in an electrifying duel. Bourgoin claimed victory with a Championship Record of 1:58.60, with Werro close behind at 1:58.78. Italy’s Eloisa Coiro was third with 1:59.88, while Spain’s Lorea Ibarzabal finished 10th in front of her home crowd with 2:02.41.

The men’s 400m hurdles saw a incredibly tight finish, with Czechia’s Vít Müller securing an impressive win in 48.46. Great Britain’s Alastair Chalmers was second with 48.64, just 0.02 ahead of Switzerland’s Julien Bonvin. Spain’s Jesús David Delgado earned 12 points with his fifth-place finish in 49.06.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Portugal’s Fatoumata Diallo secured a crucial win for her team by coming from behind in the final two hurdles to overtake Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso, finishing in 54.77 to Folorunso’s 54.88. Great Britain’s Lina Nielsen was close behind, completing a tight top-3 with 54.90. Unfortunately, Spain’s Daniela Fra fell at the last hurdle while contending for victory, though she managed to finish in 15th place with 58.27.

The 4x100m relays brought Day 3 to a spectacular close with four thrilling races. In the men’s race, the Netherlands dominated, smashing the Championship Record with 37.87 – also a new Dutch Record and the European lead for the season. Germany took second place with 38.27, and Great Britain was third with 38.33. Spain finished fifth with 38.57, marking their second-best all-time performance.

The women’s 4x100m relay was equally, if not more, incredible. In the best performance ever in the history of the European Team Championships, the Netherlands and Spain engaged in a spectacular head-to-head battle in the final leg. The Dutch team ultimately won with a Championship Record of 42.02, also a national record and the 2025 European lead. Spain shattered their national record for the third time in 2025 with 42.11, earning 15 crucial points that could prove key in their fight for a podium finish. Germany secured third place with 42.52.

The Dutch national team, nicknamed ‘Oranje,’ has taken a commanding lead at the European Team Championships, sitting over 30 points ahead of their closest rivals, Spain and Italy. Their stellar performance on Day 2 included three individual victories and a superb collective effort, contributing to a total of six Championship Records being broken.

The Netherlands finished atop the placing table after a truly historic second day. Two of the six new Championship Records were set by Dutch athletes, helping the ‘Oranje’ squad amass 165.5 points. Spain is currently in second with 134 points, while Italy is a close third with 133 points.

Track Records Tumble in Vallehermoso Stadium

The 400m women’s race kicked off the track events at Vallehermoso Stadium and proved to be one of the championships’ highlights, featuring European athletics sensation Femke Bol and Spanish rising star Paula Sevilla. The race lived up to expectations, with Bol shattering her own European Team Championships record with a blistering 49.48, the best European performance of the season. Olympic bronze medalist Natalia Bukowiecka secured second place for Poland with a season-best of 50.14, earning 15 points. Paula Sevilla added 14 points for Spain with a personal best of 50.70.

The men’s 400m also saw a record-setting pace. Great Britain’s Samuel Reardon achieved the best performance in Championship history with 44.60, placing him seventh on the European U23 all-time list. Ukraine’s Oleksandr Pohorilko broke his national record with 44.81, and Hungary’s Patrik Simon Enyingi matched his country’s record with 44.84. Manuel Bea contributed six points to Spain’s tally with a time of 45.89.

Field Event Triumphs

The initial two field contests also saw intense competition. In the men’s hammer throw, a personal best duel between Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan and Germany’s Merlin Hummel saw Kokhan claim 16 points with an impressive 81.66m against Hummel’s 81.27m. Hungary’s Bence Halász also surpassed the 80-meter mark, finishing third with 80.63m. Spain’s Kevin Arreaga finished 12th with 69.19m.

The women’s shot put also produced a new European Team Championships record, once again for the Netherlands. Two-time European champion Jessica Schilder became the only athlete in the competition’s history to throw over 20 meters, achieving a monumental 20.14m. Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye secured 15 points for Germany with 19.58m, and Fanny Ross earned 14 points for Sweden with 19.38m. Spain’s Belén Toimil showcased her experience, achieving a meritorious 17.61m, the best performance by a Spanish athlete in Championship history.

Mid-Distance and Steeplechase Highlights

In the 5000m, Olympic medalist Nadia Battocletti lived up to expectations, winning 16 points for Italy with an impressive final lap in 58 seconds, stopping the clock at 15:56.01. Spanish record holder Marta García took second with 15:58.53, overcoming the Netherlands’ Diane van Es, who finished with 15:59.41.

The men’s 800m brought Spain their first victory in Madrid 2025. Mohamed Attaoui dominated Heat A from the start, clocking 52 seconds for the first 400m and unleashing a brutal kick in the last 200m. The Spaniard shattered the Championship record by over a second with a time of 1:44.01. Italy’s Francesco Pernici secured second with a personal best of 1:44.39, followed by France’s Corentin Magnou with 1:45.06.

Karl Bebendorf earned Germany 16 points in the 3000m steeplechase with a strong final kick that Spain’s Dani Arce couldn’t match. Bebendorf also broke the Championship Record with 8:20.43. Arce finished second with 8:22.04 in a tight battle with France’s Nicolas-Marie Daru (8:22.39).

Jorinde van Klinken delivered the Netherlands their third victory of the evening (and fourth of the Championships) in the discus throw, launching the artifact 64.61m. This was over three meters further than her immediate challengers, Germany’s Shanice Craft (61.53m) and Portugal’s Liliana Cá (60.49m). Inés López added seven points to Spain’s ranking with a best throw of 55.12m.

Sprint Showdowns Conclude Day 2

The final events of Day 2 were the 100m races for both men and women. These four electrifying races once again witnessed a Championship Record being broken. Hungary’s Boglárka Talács set a new National Record of 11.06. Poland’s Ewa Swoboda was second with 11.13, and the Netherlands’ Minke Bisschops finished third with a personal best of 11.17. Spain’s Maribel Pérez placed tenth with 11.31. In the men’s 100m, Great Britain’s Eugene Amo-Dadzie earned 16 points with a time of 10.07, followed by the Netherlands’ Elvis Afrifa and Poland’s Oliwer Wdowik, both achieving personal bests of 10.11. Guillem Crespí added seven points for Spain with a Spanish season-best of 10.26.

The European Team Championships ignite with breathtaking pole vault action against the backdrop of Spain’s majestic Royal Palace.

Was there a more spectacular way to launch the European Team Championships than at the foot of Madrid’s magnificent Royal Palace? Day 0 of the competition exploded with energy, as a capacity crowd, alongside countless onlookers, surrounded the pole vault runway. Here, 16 of Europe’s finest athletes launched themselves skyward, vying for crucial early points for their nations.

The afternoon, hot and sun-drenched, began with the women’s pole vault. The Czech Republic’s Amálie Švábíková was the star, clearing 4.65m to secure victory. This height was also matched by Ukraine’s Maryna Kylypko, marking her best performance in four years. Spanish  Monica Clemente delighted the home crowd with a season best of 4.30m, while Poland’s Zofia Gaborska (4.30m) and Great Britain’s Gemma Tutton (4.45m) both achieved new personal bests. A truly memorable moment came from Lithuania’s Rugile Miklyciute, who shattered her previous best to set a new National Record of 4.30m.

With the women’s event concluding and the Czech Republic earning valuable points, the spotlight shifted to the men’s pole vault. The crowd held its breath as the 16 top vaulters faced their challenge. As expected, the Netherlands’ Menno Vloom, a pre-event favorite, demonstrated his class by being the only athlete to clear 5.80m. Poland’s Piotr Lisek also delivered a strong performance, clearing 5.70m. This competitive height also saw personal bests for the Czech Republic’s Matej Šcerba, Hungary’s Márton Böndör, and Finland’s Urho Kujanpää, all reaching 5.70m. Madrid’s own Juan Luis Bravo earned a respectable 7th place, clearing 5.60m to the cheers of his local fans.

However, the event wasn’t without its unfortunate turn. Olympic bronze medalist Emmanuel Karalis, a highly anticipated competitor, had to withdraw after experiencing foot discomfort during warm-ups, unable to attempt a single jump.

The historic Royal Palace also played host to the official Opening Ceremony for the Madrid 2025 European Team Championships, setting a grand tone for the days to come. The main track and field events will now commence from Friday to Sunday at Vallehermoso Stadium.

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Excitement is building in Madrid as the city officially launched the European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division on Thursday, June 26th. Nearly 700 athletes are ready to compete at the iconic Estadio Vallehermoso, marking a significant moment for European athletics.

European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov praised Madrid for hosting the event, highlighting it as another success in a landmark year for the sport. “It has been an amazing start for European Athletics in 2025,” Karamarinov stated, referencing the successful European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn and the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven. He emphasized the presence of Europe’s top sixteen teams, including fifteen European champions from Rome and three Olympic champions, all set to compete on the “unique green CONICA track.” Karamarinov urged fans to attend, encouraging them to support all athletes and witness the special team-based competition.

Madrid’s officials warmly welcomed the delegations, reinforcing the city’s status as a global sporting hub. Sonia Cea, City Council Sports Delegate, proudly declared Madrid the “worldwide capital of sports.” Luis Fernando Martín Izquierdo, Deputy Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Community of Madrid, underscored the region’s robust sporting infrastructure, vast athletic community, and the significant economic and social benefits of hosting such events. He noted that sport contributes over €550 million annually to Madrid’s economy, representing 3% of its regional GDP.

Aitor Canibe, Acting General Director at the Spanish Ministry of Sport, extended a warm welcome to all international visitors, inviting them to enjoy Madrid’s vibrant culture and hospitality alongside the sporting action.

The European Team Championships in Madrid will showcase a stellar lineup of male athletes, featuring both living legends and future icons of our sport.

Miltiadis Tentoglou

Competition Schedule: Saturday, June 28th, 18:00

Greek long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou is set to be the biggest star of these European Team Championships. He’s a dominant force, having won everything there is to win, including two Olympic titles (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), one World Championship (Budapest 2023), and three European Championships (Berlin 2018, Munich 2022, and Rome 2024). Furthermore, he’s twice secured maximum points for the Greek team in this championship. His victory in Madrid seems all but guaranteed. The main question isn’t whether he’ll win, but whether he can break the Vallehermoso Stadium record of 8.07 meters, or even his own competition record of 8.38 meters.

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Pawel Fajdek

Competition Schedule: Friday, June 27th, 18:20

At 36, Polish hammer thrower Pawel Fajdek may be in the twilight of his illustrious career, but he’s coming to Madrid to showcase his incredible five World Championship titles. Yes, you read that right – five times at the top of the world! He’s also helped his team to victory five times in the European Team Championships. With a personal best of 83.93 meters, he remains a true icon in a discipline he’s ruled with an iron fist. Fittingly, the competition record, 82.98 meters, is also his, achieved in the 2021 edition held in his home country of Poland.

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Mohamed Attaoui

Competition Schedule: Friday, June 27th, 20:30

Spanish sensation Mohamed Attaoui will compete in the 800 meters. This young star, who won a European silver medal and was an Olympic finalist last summer, is making his debut at the European Team Championships. He enters as the strong favorite in the two-lap race, especially after his recent impressive victory at the Paris Diamond League, where he clocked an astounding 1:42.73. Keep an eye on the competition record of 1:45.11 – with Attaoui’s current form and his ability to consistently run under 1:43:00 (which he’s done four times), it might just be shattered.

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‘Manolo’ Karalis

Competition Schedule: Thursday, June 26th, 18:20

The iconic Madrid Royal Palace will provide a breathtaking backdrop for the pole vaulters at these European Team Championships. Among them, the figure of Emmanouil Karalis, affectionately known as ‘Manolo,’ shines brightly. The Greek athlete earned a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games and is fresh off a winter season where he secured silver at the Indoor World Championships, though often overshadowed by the phenomenal Mondo Duplantis. Throughout his career, he’s cleared 6 meters six times, with five of those impressive jumps happening this season. Can he add another 6-meter jump in front of Madrid’s Royal Palace?

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Julian Weber

Competition Schedule: Sunday, June 29th, 20:22

Julian Weber, the reigning European champion and two-time winner of the European Team Championships in javelin, is undoubtedly one of the highlighted athletes. He’s known for his consistent high-level performances, but what truly sets him apart this year is his 90-meter throw in the Doha Diamond League, where he launched the javelin 91.06 meters. That monumental throw cemented his place in the exclusive club of athletes who have surpassed that iconic distance. Spectators at Vallehermoso Stadium will be dreaming of witnessing another such colossal throw. Could he do it in Madrid?

France, a nation with a rich history in European athletics, is determined to reclaim a top spot on the podium at the upcoming European Team Championships in Madrid. Their ambitious squad is spearheaded by reigning pole vault world champion Marie-Julie Bonnin, alongside talented long jumper Hilary Kpatcha and impressive middle-distance runner Agathe Guillemot. With a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting new talent, the French team is poised to make a significant impact.

France, a historical powerhouse in European athletics, arrives in Madrid with a clear objective: to reclaim a podium spot. After securing third place in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the team finished sixth and seventh in the last two editions. This year, they’ve assembled a formidable squad to achieve their goal. Leading the charge is Marie-Julie Bonnin, the reigning indoor world champion and continental bronze medalist. The 23-year-old pole vaulter from Bordeaux is having a sensational 2025 season, having recently matched the French national record with a vault of 4.75m.

Key Athletes to Watch

• Hillary Kpatcha will be a strong contender in the long jump. She finished second in this competition two years ago and achieved a personal best this season, surpassing the 7-meter barrier with a jump of 7.02m. Kpatcha also brings a strong youth record, including an U23 European Championship title and an U20 World bronze.
• Middle-distance runner Agathe Guillemot is another proven talent. The French national record holder in the 1500m (3:56.69), she will compete in her specialty on the Vallehermoso green track. Her fantastic year includes an indoor European Championship gold, adding to the bronze she earned last summer in Rome.
• In the men’s 1500m, keep an eye on U23 athlete Anas Lagtiy Chaudar, a promising miler who has run a swift 3:31.58.
• Anais Bourgoin is set to impress in the 800m. The Rome bronze medalist recently set a new personal best of 1:57.81, making her a strong contender.
• In the hammer throw, the imposing Yann Chaussinand (1.96m, 110kg) is expected to contribute significant points, following his impressive 81.91m throw in May.

This is the team that Romain Barras, high performance director of the French Athletics Federation, believes will bring success back from the Spanish capital.

Women’s Events:

• 100m: Sarah Richard-Mingas
• 200m: Helene Parisot
• 400m: Amandine Brossier
• 800m: Anais Bourgoin
• 1500m: Agathe Guillemot
• 5000m: Alessia Zarbo
• 110m Hurdles: Sacha Alessandrini
• 400m Hurdles: Louise Maraval
• 3000m Steeplechase: Flavie Renouard
• High Jump: Solene Gicquel
• Pole Vault: Marie-Julie Bonnin
• Long Jump: Hilary Kpatcha
• Triple Jump: Illinois Guillaume
• Shot Put: Amanda Ngandu-Ntumba
• Discus Throw: Melina Robert-Michon
• Hammer Throw: Rose Loga
• Javelin Throw: Alizee Minard
• 4 x 100m Relay: Sarah Richard Mingas, Helene Parisot, Lucie Jean-Charles, Carolle Zahi, Noemie Denon, Naomi Riskwait

Men’s Events:

• 100m: Jeff Erius
• 200m: Theo Schaub
• 400m: Teo Andant
• 800m: Corentin Magnou
• 1500m: Anas Lagtiy Chaudar
• 5000m: Bastien Augusto
• 110m Hurdles: Romain Lecoeur
• 400m Hurdles: Hugo Menin
• 3000m Steeplechase: Nicolas-Marie Daru
• High Jump: Elijah Pasquier
• Pole Vault: Thibaut Collet
• Long Jump: Julien Pauthonnier
• Triple Jump: Jonathan Seremes
• Shot Put: Frederic Dagee
• Discus Throw: Lolassonn Djouhan
• Hammer Throw: Yann Chaussinand
• Javelin Throw: Remi Rougetet
• 4 x 100m Relay: Jeff Erius, Theo Schaub, Jerry Leconte, Antoine Thoraval, Aymeric Priam, Ylann Bizasene

Mixed Event:

• 4 x 400m Mixed Relay: Fanny Peltier, Amandine Brossier, Louise Maraval, Alexe Deau, Biron Gilles, Yann Spillmann, Teo Andant

These five extraordinary athletes, hailing from Poland, Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, boast an impressive collection of titles and records that speak to their dominance in the world of athletics.

Anita Włodarczyk (Poland)

Anita Włodarczyk is arguably the most decorated athlete set to shine in Vallehermoso. Her trophy room is dizzying: three-time Olympic Champion (London, Rio, and Tokyo), four-time World Champion (2009, 2013, 2015, and 2017), and four-time European Champion (2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018). She also secured victories in the hammer throw at the European Team Championships in 2009 and 2015. On August 28, 2016, she set a historic world record with a throw of 82.98 meters, a mark no other woman has surpassed. While she’ll be 40 years old in a few weeks and has a season best of 72.81 meters, it would be unwise to count out this Polish legend.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine)

Yaroslava Mahuchikh also holds a remarkable “poker” of titles, signifying her legendary status: she is the current Olympic Champion (Paris), World Champion (Budapest 2023), and European Champion (Rome 2024), along with holding the indoor world record of 2.10 meters. As high jump is a frequent indoor event, the Ukrainian jumper has also left her mark there, with one World Indoor title and two European Indoor titles. She has won 21 meets and three finals in the prestigious Diamond League. This season, she has already cleared 2 meters three times, and she secured her discipline’s title at Chorzow in 2023.

Malaika Mihambo (Germany)

Malaika Mihambo is an accomplished long jumper with an impressive resume, including an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo and a silver in Paris. She is a two-time World Champion (2019 and 2022) and a two-time European Champion (2018 and 2022). She won the Diamond League final in 2019 and has eight other Diamond League meet victories. Additionally, she has earned silver and bronze medals at European Championships (outdoor and indoor). This political science graduate from Heidelberg, Germany, achieved a personal best jump of 7.30 meters in 2019, ranking her 12th on the all-time list. This past winter, she recorded her eighteenth jump over 7 meters (7.07 meters).

Femke Bol (Netherlands)

While Femke Bol doesn’t possess the individual “triple crown” like the previous stars, her extraordinary resume demands attention. The lean runner from Amersfoort boasts four Olympic medals (one gold, one silver, two bronzes), eight World Championship medals (four golds, four silvers), and an astounding 12 European medals (eleven golds, one bronze). This adds up to 22 medals across the six major indoor and outdoor competitions. To top it off, she’s a four-time Diamond League final winner and has won 27 events on the elite athletic circuit. Furthermore, she holds the current 400m hurdles European record (50.95) and the indoor world record for 400m (49.17), a discipline in which she was crowned World Champion in 2024. She’s also proven her prowess in the outdoor 400m, winning the European title in Munich and contributing to the “Oranje” team in the European Team Championships, as she did two years ago in Poland where she also won. While she’s a strong contender for the mixed relay, official confirmation from the technical direction is still pending.

Nadia Battocletti (Italy)

At 25 years old (in April), Nadia Battocletti is the youngest of this formidable group. She holds the Italian record for 10,000 meters, a discipline in which she secured a silver medal at the last Olympic Games. No other Italian athlete has run faster than her in the 3000m, 5000m, 5km, and 10km distances. She is the current European Champion in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, and she won the shorter distance in the last two editions of the European Team Championships (a discipline she will also compete in Madrid). She is currently in her prime, evidenced by her recent Italian record in the 5,000m, achieved on June 6th at the Rome Diamond League with a time of 14:23.15

Two-time 400m hurdles World Champion will compete in the 400m dash and is also available for the mixed relay.

When a national team, like the Netherlands, boasts a talent of Femke Bol’s caliber, any report on their participation must feature her prominently. With a trophy room as extensive as this lean athlete from Amersfoort, it’s impossible for her achievements to go unnoticed. Her impressive collection includes four Olympic medals (one gold, one silver, two bronzes), eight World Championship medals (four gold, four silvers), and twelve European Championship medals (eleven golds, one bronze). That’s a staggering 22 medals across the six major indoor and outdoor competitions. Furthermore, she has won the Diamond League finals four times and triumphed in 27 meetings of the world’s premier athletic circuit. To top it off, she holds the European record in the 400m hurdles (50.95) and the world record in the indoor 400m (49.17). For Bol, racing a lap of the outdoor track without hurdles is a familiar task (she was European champion in Munich), a specialty she also chose two years ago in Poland (where she won) to represent the “Oranje” at the European Team Championships. As expected, her participation in the mixed relay is also highly anticipated, though official confirmation from the team’s technical direction is still pending.

Another key figure is her frequent partner in long relays (both women’s and mixed), Lieke Klaver. In Madrid, Klaver will not be competing in her usual 400m event. A two-time Olympic medalist, five-time World medalist, and nine-time European medalist (she’s the current indoor champion), she will instead focus on the 200m in Vallehermoso, a distance she conquered in the last edition of the championships with a time of 22.46. Like Femke and all other team sprinters competing in individual events, her participation in the mixed relay is also eagerly awaited.

When searching for stars, it’s easy to spot Nadine Visser in the 100m hurdles. She is the national record holder (12.36), placed fourth at the Paris Olympic Games, and is a two-time indoor European champion. Two years ago, she earned significant points for her team by finishing second. Also starring for the Netherlands is shot putter Jessica Schilder, the current European champion (both outdoor and indoor). Schilder also boasts three World Championship medals and knows what it means to throw the implement to 20.69 meters – a national record achieved this year in front of her home crowd at the Apeldoorn Omnisport.

While the men’s team may not have the same extensive accolades, we cannot conclude this article without mentioning Samuel Chapple, the national record holder for the indoor 800m (1:44.88). This impressive performance came when he clinched the European title on March 9th, shortly after finishing fourth at the World Championships. In middle distance, we highlight Stefan Nilessen, a European U23 champion two years ago. In Paris, at the last Diamond League before Madrid 2025, he joined the exclusive club of sub-3:30 1500m runners (3:29.23), a discipline he will defend in Vallehermoso. Such a superb performance is not a national record, as Niels Laros holds that with 3:29.54 (also an U20 European record). However, in Madrid, Laros will attempt a longer distance, competing in the 5000m (which he covered in 13:10.85 at the end of May, his personal best to date). This refers to a 20-year-old who earned an Olympic diploma and secured a third-place finish in the 1500m in his last European Team Championships appearance. Another legendary figure is Menno Vloon, the indoor European Champion with a Dutch record of 5.96m, who also won gold in Chorzów 2023.

The complete Netherlands squad is listed below:

100 m: Minke Bisschops and Elvis Afrifa 200 m: Lieke Klaver and Xavi Mo-Ajok 400 m: Femke Bol and Jonas Phijfers 800 m: Eveline Saalberg and Samuel Chapple 1500 m: Maureen Koster and Stefan Nilessen 5000 m: Diane van Es and Niels Laros 100 m / 110 m hurdles: Nadine Visser and Timme Koster 400 m hurdles: Cathelijn Peeters and Nick Smidt 3000 m steeplechase: Veerle Bakker and Nick Marsman High Jump: Britt Weerman and Jin van der Lee Pole Vault: Elise de Jong and Menno Vloon Long Jump: Pauline Hondema and Justin Sluijter Triple Jump: Kellynsia Leerdam and Fabian Biondina Shot Put: Jessica Schilder and Yannick Rolvink Discus Throw: Jorinde van Klinken and Ruben Rolvink Hammer Throw: Lotte Smink and Denzel Comenentia Javelin Throw: Dewi Lafontaine and Ryan Jansen 4 x 100 m men: Taymir Burnet, Nsikak Expo, Timo Spiering, Onyema Adigida 4 x 100 m women: Marije van Hunenstijn, Britt de Blaauw, Anne van de Wiel. 4 x 400 m mixed: Nina Franke, Myrte van der Schoot, Keenan Blake, Netanel Dorothea.

15 reigning European champions will compete at Vallehermoso Stadium defending the best national teams of Europe from 27-29 June

The Vallehermoso Stadium in Madrid will hold the European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division from 27-29 June – with the pole vault events to take place in front of the Royal Palace the day before (26). The final entries of the 16 best national teams of Europe have been released and they include 15 reigning European champions besides several Olympic, world and European medalists.

– Final entries by country

– Final entries by season best