Day 1 - Morning Session Athletics: European Indoor Championships

What a performance from Katarina Johnson-Thompson. She wins the gold

medal. Bashir Hanson determined and fast, it is massive, New World

indoor record. Linford Christie takes the gold. Helen Clitheroe gets

the gold. On his way to gold. That is a new world indoor record.

Shakes-Drayton should have the class for Britain. Sebastian Bayer has a

remarkable record. Four European indoor titles. All for nothing,

Bleasdale is the champion. Jackson wins it. The new European indoor

champion. Sally Gunnell coming through for a brilliant victory.

Already moving away, gold for Britain. Richard Strachan bringing

it home. Great Britain get the gold. It is gold for Mo Farah of Great

Britain. Good morning and welcome to the European Indoor Championships,

the 14th addition of these championships and this year they

come from the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Lots of British success

over the years and we are looking forward to more this weekend.

Belgrade translates as the White City but thank the notes no around

even though it is still the back end of winter, in fact it is a beautiful

day here. Although we are safely ensconced inside what promises to be

as ever a very exciting and busy three days. You won't miss a single

minute. We here this morning until midday with all of the early action.

Then coverage continues on the website after midday. And we will be

back later for the afternoon session at 3pm. As I said plenty for Great

Britain to cheer about over the years and we're looking forward to

more from what is a very good team here at these championships.

Speaking of teams, good morning, folks. The knees and Paul are here.

I had to say former coach of Jessica Ennis-Hill. Sadly time to move on.

The knees, Denise, it is a difficult period

here. It is difficult to see after the Olympics who will turn out. But

I'm pleased to say Britain have got a good team as you said. And a lot

of the other countries have chosen to field younger athletes alongside

the more established stars. I do not know if we can save more

established, Laura Muir is the name people are beginning to find out

about. It is a huge weekend, she has proven time and again particularly

in this indoor season she can run very fast and push herself very hard

but watching needs to prove here is she can raise tactically and come

away from here having come in as world leader in those events. To

leave with those gold medals. It is a tough ask because she has the

3,000-metre heats this morning, and then she has two comeback four hours

later for the 1500 metre heats. A few of them had entered but she is

there anyone who declared overnight she is definitely involved. She has

big contenders up against and they've chosen just to focus on

that. Laura will be in action later. As I said a busy morning. Then there

is no KJT but you must be looking forward to watching the Olympic

champion. There is also a couple of 19-year-olds who will be competing.

We are looking forward to some of your expertise, Toni. These guys are

pretty good as well. But I have to ask you, you have recently received

a warning for your conduct from British athletics, ... Just

reflections and maybe some thoughts on that? It is difficult for me to

comment because it is in the hands of my solicitors and there is an

ongoing discussion with British athletics behind the scenes. What I

can say is that if you look at the coach - athlete relationship it is

very tired, very close. If you look at Jets''s coach in Hoboken she said

it was a love hate relationship. But it is that. A coaching role is 24/7,

you are never not the coach. There is an amount of challenging and

Natalie, but if you look at the funding, you get no training in how

that is in terms of working with relationships. Very few coaches are

funded. I think a lot of federations don't really understand it. That is

a good point, we live in different times. And maybe for you guys... Not

as old as me... It was more of a loose environment we lived in.

Different times now. Different times, welfare and wellness of the

athlete and you are right, coaching has to be taken into consideration

or more support in particular but it is a very deep relationship that

requires day-to-day and hour by hour intense relationships. The

personalities vary. That comes down to the coaching ability to know how

to stimulate, how to talk someone down, how to infuse. It is not

always easy. I had a challenging coach... Remember! There is a fine

line. It is about respect. It is about officials and everyone

involved. You only have to look at football, they speak accordingly to

the officials. Emotions run high in sport, often in the arena, everybody

can possibly the member yourself and your husband on TV, without any

embarrassment, emotions run high in training as well. People are

stressed about what is going on. It is a high pressure environment. You

have to have that respect and understanding. That relationship as

to be so close, so special. Those emotions come closer to the surface.

Then in the arena itself it is even closer. But he did knees is right

the respect has to be there across the board. -- did

it is understanding the importance of the coach and coaches really need

to look after. We have to have good coaches to have that network to

bring that full circle. Is there anything in particular you would

like to see the governing body the do, Toni? Lots federations have an

athletes commission but you look for a coaches Association, those don't

exist in Britain. That is a real faux pas. When you look at how we

are encouraging people and how much performance board, a huge difference

from the top end to the club and with youngsters. Not that that is

not valuable but it is very different. That representation in

decision-making policies and people do go to if you get problems, you

can ring the coaches commission up and have a discussion. Certainly a

talking point, plenty of them over the weekend. As said we are hoping

for plenty of British success this morning but here are some of the

names you can look forward to seeing. Nafi Thiam is the one to

watch and will be the one to beat in the five event pentathlon. There are

no hurdles to jump for Eilidh Doyle. She takes on the regular 400 metres.

One of her main rivals could well be her team-mate, the youngster Larry

Nelson, who has been making her own headlines. And we have already

mentioned her, the flying Scotsman, perhaps the Queen of the track here,

could well be Laura Muir. Going for the distance double. And one man who

does not have to come down this morning, the 60-metre hurdles heats

not taking place for Andy Pozzi so he can now look forward to the

semifinals later today. Let's have a look at the timetable for this

morning. Nafi Thiam as we said going in the second of the hurdles in just

a minute. Dan Bramble in long jump qualification very busy in the arena

this morning. Watch out for Maslak. Then we have a 800s.

Then the women's 3000 metres, and we will finish this morning with the

60-metre hurdles. That visit for the time being, now I can hand over to

the commentary box and a very good morning to Colin Jackson and Andrew

Cotter. COMMENTATOR: Welcomes this fine arena which Steve has been

talking about a little bit so far. Posted the Eurovision Song contest

in 2008. Not a huge crowd this morning. The British flag on the

British light, farm -- a British flag on the far side. Hard-core

supporters. It is still very early here. We get ready for heats of the

60-metre hurdles in the women's pentathlon. Nafi Thiam is the

outstanding clear favourite to win this, she goes in the second of the

heats. The slower hurdlers going in the first one. Some hurdlers lacking

at the moment. I think we will chat a little bit with Steve Backley and

Colin Jackson Bird that noise there, it was like Eurovision, the athlete

is about to be introduced. These other ways to contact us. Facebook

as well as Twitter. Quite excited about this razzmatazz.

This might take some time. Was fourth at the world junior

championships this year. The slower hurdlers going in the first aid,

this is how the draw is done. The Frenchwoman was third at the French

indoor Championships. As Denise was saying in the studio a lot of

countries are choosing to field the youngsters in these championships.

Haradskaya getting her introduction to the crowd. The gathering on the

far side. Tanit this is the first of the contenders

in this heat. Maksimava from Belarus. Season's best to slightly

down on her personal best. And the Ukrainian just turned 18 a couple of

weeks ago. Alina Shukh. Already showing plenty of promise.

So, this is the first of the two heat of the women's pentathlon, just

five events in doors. All about times, if you are new to

multi-eventing, it is all about your times and distances, your heights,

they are converted to points, add them up at the end. Again, rather

sad there is no British involvement in this with Katarina

Johnson-Thompson injured, Morgan Lake concentrating at the moment on

the high jump, and Jess Ennis-Hill having retired. It is really clear

for Nafi Thiem to dominate this in the next heat.

There is a new order developing in the heptathlon. This, the first heat

of the pentathlon, 60-metre hurdles. False start, another reminder that a

false start in individual events would spell the end, but in

multi-events you get a little bit of leeway. We will just have

confirmation of who gave the false start, it won't be a qualification.

I can see Shukh going back to lane eight, she is an exciting prospect.

Certainly, there is not a lot known about her but she has broken the

world record for pentathlon in doors so this is a first viewing of what

is a very exciting talent. Going to take a couple of years to really

mature, but she probably will be the challenger to Nafi Thiem in the

future. Maksimava is in the lane alongside Shukh, false start is not

a disqualification in multi-eventing. Verrier, false start

to start the European indoor Championships here in Belgrade. Of

course, a look at Shukh, born in 1999, goodness me. I only say that

to show the promise she is showing at the age of 18, just turned 18, it

really does or go very well for the future. Pretty good across all the

events as well, quite consistent, that is what you are looking for,

she does not have huge weaknesses. 11th, given the card, but not

disqualification. Not disclose location instantly, one more, though

would be a swift end to things. The official is looking rather

perplexed. There is dissent amongst the

officials at the moment. Mutiny! Just about ready to go again. A

reminder of the line-up. Slanickova of Slovakia is in five, charisma of

Portugal in six. Alina Shukh, the Ukrainian talent, in lane eight. --

charisma of Portugal. 60 metres hurdles to start the

pentathlon. Oh, and that is another false start, this time fairly clear

that it was Belarus. The tension, Tony Minichiello, is always over the

hurdles, you want to get off to a good clean start but the nerves

around the first event, because it could all come to an end here.

Agreed, and the young lady from Belarus, it is her first big

Championships, you want to do well, you are nervous and it does build up

but it will be interesting to the what the judges do because there was

a bit of confusion. You are all allowed one false start. Shopping

list being poured out. Find to go again. Come on now, we can do this.

Well, the disqualification for -- notice note disqualification after

the false start. We are one down. These are very tense moments for the

athletes. To lose your chance at the very first event. Alina Shukh among

those trying to compose themselves. Third time of asking, a decent

start. Charisma takes the victory -- Quaresma takes the victory. I think

they were just happy to get through that. Shukh struggling just a little

bit. Colin Jackson is alongside me looking at the techniques, but there

was so much tension after that. That some of these athletes are just

happy to get through safely. Yes, it is really frustrating, when you have

been warmed up, you are ready to go, you are charged, excited, ready to

start the whole day, and there are continuous. Is. Let's look at

Quaresma, she gets close to the first hurdle, she is big, strong,

pushes hard of them, not bad technique. Remember, they don't have

opportunity to specialise in any particular event, heptathlete, pen

tablets, in this circumstance. That time of around 8.52. Very strong,

isn't she? Working off every single one of these hurdles. What is also

really interesting is that when it comes to preparation, just clobbered

that barrier, everybody is at different stages in doors so we are

not sure who will be sharper over particular events, they could be

working on them but it is a solid start by Quaresma. There was that

tension after the false start, effectively a false start against

the field. This was a little bit disappointing from Shukh, she has a

season's best of 8.85 but again perhaps still to gain that

experience after those false start is, a little bit unsettled. What I

like about this technique is that it has ridden, it may not be shot but

it is very rhythmic and that is a good place to be. She is very young

and she will mature, and she will get stronger and stronger and

stronger. In comparison to Quaresma, already an adult, she is working,

much stronger as a frame and can be really explosive out of all these

blocks. So Shukh may be far off at this moment in time but give her 18

months or so and we will see a big difference in her performance, I

think. Well, Victory lane Mac for Quaresma, just 100th of a second

ahead of Slanickova. Disqualification per Haradskaya as

well. Nafi Thiem is up in the next heat.

A bit of an untidy start there. Thiam was down the side here, I

think they were watching with some nervous trepidation as to what was

going on. Everyone wants a good start, it sets your mood, so very

nervous, nervous officials! I was watching the officials, the lady who

is the starter's assistant didn't seem to have the right time, they

almost had a bit of a row, the athletes were washing, it doesn't

help, does it? What happens, you see the headphones, if the blocks that

are wired up, if somebody goes early, he hears a beep. The

difference is, will he trust his eye and recall it or not recall it or

will he just fire his recall gun based on the beep? Do you leave it

to technology or to the human? Thiam being ushered to the back to get

ready there. Let's remind ourselves of what a wonderful Olympic Games

she had in Rio. Maybe not great memories, but she was good, you have

to hand it to her. It was a bit wet to begin with! She built through the

competition. This was probably the event, 1.98 high jump, phenomenal,

which we always knew she was good at, and a great shot-putter. And

then really what set it apart was day two, the way she responded on

day two. What you have to remember, you look at her and think she is one

of the tallest heptathlete, it was a personal best for her, and for me

that is always a sign. Combine that with fantastic throwing ability, the

javelin, that elbow, she was in agony, but to do what she did and

run a personal best in the 800 was simply fantastic. It is a rare thing

to happen in heptathlon but enough to win. She almost beat the beast,

if you get seven PBs you beat the beast! She is getting used to seeing

her name up in lights. And talking about, that is going on as well.

COMMENTATOR: They come at a warm up, then go back into the wings to be

introduced with all of the drama. This is all about Nafi Thiem,

really. Dadic of Austria, she took bronze at

the European Championships in Amsterdam last year. Europeans

always a little bit down in terms of quality in a major championship

year, and so it was in Amsterdam, but Dadic was there to take the

bronze medal. Nadeem Broersen for the Netherlands, she was European

champion last year. Dafne Schippers of course doing other things now.

Nafi Thiam, still just 22. What an Olympics it was. When you go through

an event and take five personal best, an astonishing performance and

that high jump really was the pivotal moment. European under 23

champion a couple of years ago, Krizsan of Hungary.

Another youngster, just 22, again, Turpin of France.

Preiner of Austria. A familiar name in multi-eventing, 32 now. Six in

the World Championships a couple of years ago. Again, the two heats are

done on season 's best time so these are the quicker hurdlers, some of

them a little bit weaker in later events but again Nafi Thiam is

obviously so strong throughout and has lowered her personal best in

doors. We are just a little bit behind

schedule after the three false start in that first heat. Again, if there

is a., bad person, all those people as it was in the first event, are

not instantly disqualified but it is against the field, so the next two.

Will be done. Thiam in the middle, lane four. -- the next two false

starts will be gone. Beginning her challenge in the pentathlon. here I

thought that was cleanly away. The theme continues. This is

interesting. I was looking very carefully and I didn't spot

anything. Vereen Prine has been given the false start.

Verena Preiner given a warning. She would have had a fly in days gone

by. She stays for now but that is

against the Field so the next. Will be the end of it. Green card

technical. This has to be confusing. He is excited. Ready to go again.

Nafi Thiam goes in Lane 4. She is the quickest in this field.

Cleanly away this time and Thiam first to rise. Strong run from

Turpin outside. New personal best. She is doing it again. Very

impressive. She is proving the reason why she is Olympic champion

and improving all the time. Tall and powerful, sometimes that counts

against you in 60 metres but she is quickly into her stride. She is very

comfortable now, she is aggressive into them. Using those long limbs,

she may not have a lot of turnover but that is not necessary. That can

force make speed when you are very tall, you do not have their general

ability to generate Lake speed yourself. Because the hurdles become

very close in, they can force you to generate lake speed and if you have

good technical ability as Thiam is demonstrating then it is never going

to be a problem. -- lake leg speed. Good focus. Works hard.

She has a very good classy personal best out of that. The top three have

come in with personal bests as well and a lot of this field experiencing

this level of competition for the first time but Nafi Thiam in the

centre began the technique looks pretty solid. Absolutely. She has

two 1817 events outdoors, so to get every single technique can be a big

ask but here, good and aggressive and she looks really competent. I am

looking forward to seeing her outdoors, you can rewind yourself up

when you are taller. She is off to a good season by the looks of things.

Perhaps that will develop into a live already with Johnson-Thompson,

who is not here with that hamstring injury. Close look at Nafi Thiam.

Off the blocks, really well focused. Getting herself upright really

quickly, that is important. Generate speed. Good focus. Smooth, silky,

great performance. You can see how excited she was, so many things can

go wrong in the hurdles but that was not just clean, it was quick, big

personal best. She works hard into the tape, takes a little glance at

the clock and sees it as a personal best, well done. It has been rounded

down considerably, 8.23, big personal best. Very good start for

the strong clip favourite in the pentathlon.

STUDIO: Thiam out-of-the-box well but more than you can say for the

championships. The ten minutes behind already. Thiam contended with

that well. Very unsettling for the athletes, you lose momentum. You

have to pick yourself back up again but fantastic by Thiam. For such a

tall girl, getting her feet down in those first eight strides, fantastic

hurdling. We move the 400 metres with women shortly, the sad news

overnight is that Lina Nielsen has had to withdraw. We were so looking

forward to seeing the twins. Real shame. Not quite sure at this point

whether or not she is still in the relay but I guess we will find out.

We will find out but first things first she has to protect herself.

She still very young. It is best she sits out if she's not quite right.

She has had such fantastic indoor season so far, she must be bitterly

disappointed not to be but still to athletes in the mix. Paula we talked

about young athletes coming here, she is a great example, two or three

well-known people in this. But she could come here and win a medal. She

definitely could come here and take that step forward. The big key to

that was the boost to the confidence she got in Birmingham. She went away

from their believing she could come here and perform. Looking straight

at the final rather than just looking at the heats. Quick word on

the track, Toni, first bit of technical chat, is this going to be

a factor, the pens are not very banked. I'm interested to know, it

is much squarer than Sheffield or Birmingham so it'll be interesting

to know. Because they are quite tight you get centrifugal force, are

you going to be able to stay on the track? The banking helps you stay

on. It'll be interesting to see how they cope. It is so critical in the

400 to get to the bell. One of the favourites, in the first heat, let's

add you back to Switzerland. -- and you back to Andrew. COMMENTATOR: Lea

Sprunger there. Should be a strong Polish quarter for the relay. Lina

Nielsen out. Sinead rDenny goes in Lane 1. Officially it is a stress

fracture for Lina Nielsen, not running in the individual here. This

title was won exactly ten years ago to the day in Birmingham by Nicola

Sanders with an astonishing time, 50.02, nobody has not played since.

In European terms. The long jump going on in the infield as well.

Some encouragement from the crowd for that. Just settling again, going

to the blocks once more. Sinead Denny of Ireland.

Lane five and six given to the quickest affiliates. The first of

six hits. Quick start by Sinead Denny. Looking for the athletes on

the outside. They are sprung and Iga Baumgart. They will break in a

moment. Lea Sprunger a long way clear at the moment. Sinead Jenny in

fourth place for the moment. Lea Sprunger, tall and elegant, long gap

at the moment between her and Iga Baumgart. Two go through

automatically and Sprunger can begin to take things easily now. As she

comes round to take a comfortable victory. Sinead Denny taking fourth

place in total control of that from the start. Baumgart is not able to

get close, in fact she was chased down on the line by Putalova. Very

close for the second automatic qualifying place with Sinead Denny

in fourth place. Two go through automatically. Six fastest losers

over the six hits. Lea Sprunger decent enough for an opener. Very

controlled performance. It is important at this time of the day to

have that control. If you are the class of the field don't risk being

laboured in your performance, sit back and take control early. Get

yourself out of trouble. That is exactly what that young lady did.

She works hard. Out of the box to make sure she gets the good

position. Drops down nice and comfortably. Just keeps control of

this whole race. Nobody anywhere near her. She is not playing about.

Making sure she's gets used to this track. Nice and comfortable.

Qualifies with ease. That is exactly what you want. I am hoping somebody

like Eilidh does the same. Baumgart is run out of that by the deliver.

You are right, sometimes you get distracted with fatigue and that

causes you problems. Now she has to wait and see what happens. Bit of a

mistake although Bambacht might be OK as a fastest loser. Sometimes it

is just important to get out and lead the race indoors, because they

break. No worries for Lea Sprunger. Safely through with Putalova.

STUDIO: Dan Bramble has taken to the runway.

Here we go. First chance will stop that floats along on the board.

Decent effort. It looked as though he encouraged on the plasticine. I

do not think that will be measured. Well over the board. I was talking

to athletes yesterday, this is a sprung floor and it is tough to

measure how much that is going to come back at you. Dan Bramble are

only competitor. In this long jump competition. Two more attempts to

try to make the final tomorrow. Well. Michael Tonev of Sweden. Going

to be one of the athletes wearing a gold braid. Defending indoor

champion. Fast on the approach. That is how to do it. He has proved that

in the past he is a great championship competitor. 20 athletes

will be whittled down tomorrow to eight in the final. Slightly

different process to the outdoor version of this event. The Swede

with space to spare. Automatic verification.

Athletes already out for the next heat. Lea Sprunger looking pretty

impressive. And our first chance to look at the top-ranked athletes

here. It is the top two, just to remind

you. Cleanly away this time, not the

quickest of starts from hay never but moving pretty well. Already run

down dimwit on the outside. Inside, Hoffman, German champion, started

pretty quickly. I would like to say the crowd is really getting going,

it is a bit sparse in the arena this morning, but often is on the first

morning. DeWitt have really got going, bit of a nudge there. -- de

Witte. She is going to have to run wide. Hejnova controlling this from

the front. Just the top two, of course. A good scrap here the second

place, Hoffman just using her elbows to push de Witte out. Hoffman has to

settle for third. It is a bit loving the cobwebs out a little bit,

Hejnova, would not say that was completely smooth from her, it

looked a bit like hard work. Nobody likes Heaps, especially when you

want to just get them out of the way and move to the semis where the real

racing starts but she is safely through, de Witte second.

Pablo Matera is a favourite in the men's, he is known for getting out

so quickly, Hejnova not quite at that. In doors it is a different

beast to outdoors because you get the jostling. Hoffman trying to hold

off de Witte, you see it here, de Witte just about had it. If you can

hold your line you can perhaps hold off a stronger athlete but De

Villota doing enough there. -- de Witte doing enough.

We will tidy up the results as soon as we can but on the track they are

trying to catch up, they are a few minutes behind, a legal already in

the next heat, and we caught up with her yesterday at the team hotel --

Haley Doyle. Eilidh Doyle, looking forward to

seeing the debate at the indoor Championships, I heard at the press

conference you refer to this as a stepping stone, tell us about that?

Yes, the whole plan really is for the outdoors and World Championships

in London, and also the 400-metre hurdles but it is always good to be

able to compete and test my flats as well, I don't get much chance to do

them so it is nice for me to get some early form and see how my speed

work is and carry that into the outdoor season and over the hurdles.

What will you be pleased with in Belgrade? I just want to compete and

perform well, I am ranked third coming into it so I definitely want

to get into the final and be amongst it. I did the European Championships

in 2013 and came back with a silver medal which was an amazing time for

me, probably the start of a really good few years for me, so I would

love to know I have given everything and can be satisfied. It is quite a

different event to outdoors, running in doors, the break, the Bell, the

critical time, I guess? Yes, it takes me out of my comfort zone a

bit. With the hurdles in particular it is all about the rhythm, you find

the rhythm and go with it, whereas indoor is different, you need to get

out quick, be aggressive and assertive. I'm not the most

aggressive person said for me it is trying to get that out of me and get

out nice and quick over the first lap and really work hard and in the

end hang on for the second lap. How aggressive can you get? My coach

keeps telling me to be more aggressive, I am too nice! Make sure

I win the break. So, Aileen Doyle goes here on the

outside -- Eilidh Doyle. Just turned 30 last week, quite often seen as

the start of the decline but gets a lot of questions, you have turned

30, what are you thinking? She is just going to carry on doing what

she is doing. Leah Springer, the Swiss athlete, long way clear of

Yvette Cooper Taliban. -- Yvette Eppleton over. The first heat wasn't

too bad, I just thought the second was a bit... 54.65, this Slovenian

has 152 seconds this year 's disappointing for them and an

anxious wait in the rest of the heat, certainly for Hoffman at

53.65. Horlock goes inside Eilidh Doyle --

hole. Nine times Spanish champion in lane four. Bianca Russell of Romania

in lane two. So, Eilidh Doyle, like Laura Muir, from Kinross high

school, producing two such high-quality athletes, Eilidh Doyle

in lane six, UK Champion begins her European challenge.

It is a long hold. Not going entirely according to plan this

morning. No, they need to improve things here. . Our part and parcel

but they are a good ten minutes behind schedule at the minute and it

is a very busy morning -- false starts. Another reminder of the

line-up, Razor in two, but case in the four, Holub in five and Aileen

Doyle outside in lane six. -- but Tessa in four. Pretty even at the

moment between these athletes. Who gets the lead at the break is often

so important. Raharolahy of France also going well. Bokesa coming

through of Spain. Doyle out in front, pole position at the moment

ahead of Holub, strong run from Bokesa. Aileen Doyle not able to

break away at the moment but in control, knows where she is, no

sweat Holub is and opens up just a couple of metres, and she will take

the victory, go through, Holub second and just coming through was

Raharolahy of France but two qualifiers are Aileen Doyle and

Holub, and looked comfortable enough, Eilidh Doyle, in going

through. Yes, it is interesting because that looked like a good

control run from Eilidh Doyle when you see the clock stopped at 53.20

eight. Maybe this track is a little bit slow and bouncy? Colin has some

words to say. I think the inside lane is tied so a lot of the time

they can't generate enough speed so they check back their stride more

than they normally do and I think that is what is causing problems

with the time because you can imagine when you are fatigued as

well the stride length really shortens. I think that is why the

times could be a little bit slow. Not every indoor track is the same

not only in terms of surface but also how tight it is, and as Colin

said the inside lane is particularly tight so the times are down. She

looked good, though. Like you were saying, Andrew, it is controlled, no

one really likes the heats, you still have to work hard but it

looked comfortable to me. I'm sure she will be pretty pleased with

that. Little bit down on the first heat in terms of the times. Springer

also a bit quicker in the first heat but Eilidh Doyle through easily

enough. Automatically through with Holub of Poland. Now chatting to

fill. Well done, mission accomplished.

What is the mindset in a day like today, two races to accomplish to

get to the final? It is just about putting on a good, solid run. The

performance indoors is quite tactical so I knew I had to try and

win at the break and control that second lap so I could conserve

energy for later on. When you wake up and have an early morning like

this, do you know immediately whether you are in good body and

spirit? You kind of know anyway, it is hard to races early in the

morning but I got up early enough, early night last night and felt good

this morning. What are the preparations between now and the

semifinal later on? Just get back, recover, some food and a bit of a

mass large, hopefully some sleep and come back later. Let me ask you

about coming third on the European list, does it have any bearing when

you come to an event like this, do you think about it? Not really,

especially indoors because it is so tactical. Sometimes times don't

matter, it is winning the right race of the right time. I have gone to

the Europeans ranked number one and there was pressure so it feels a bit

nicer coming ranked number three! The result of that, Eilidh Doyle

through, 53.28, not quick but none of the athletes have been

particularly fast. Holub the second automatic qualifier. The semifinal

start at 5:45pm, 4:45pm UK time. From one experienced British athlete

hoping for a good run it on the final to another one, Laviai

Nielsen, what a run from her in Birmingham, second place, she went

hard through the first 200 metres on that occasion. She has a good lane

draw here right on the outside, against Sananes of France and

Salaski of Serbia. To remind you, the top two qualify automatically,

she is the quickest in this heat but still a little inexperienced.

Nielsen will want to attack hard here, we have talked about the

track, she will have two content with that but out in lane six gives

her every opportunity and that is a fantastic start. Nielsen, round the

top band, will need to big it up as she comes through on the inside.

Nielsen has every chance of leading this. Sananes just coming for the

inside but Nielsen comes across, good mature running. 25.45, much

slower than we saw in Birmingham. Stretching down the back straight

now, putting pressure on the others, Bueno of Spain trying to move into

second place but it is Nielsen, the 20-year-old from Great Britain,

stretching away from the field, the top two qualify, she is looking good

and strong, good daylight between her and the rest. Salaski coming on

the outside per second, but Sananes will get it.

Nielsen, 53.77, good piece of mature running from the youngster there,

got out nice and steady, didn't panic on the first lap, good lane,

drawn lane six, could watch everybody else, moved across nicely

and put the pressure on the back straight, got in front and was able

to cruise in over the last 30 or 40 metres. 53.74 the winning time.

Impressive that she was able to lead across the line. A shame that Lina

Nielsen is not able to run today but she has always said her twin sister

is better over the flat and she was able to show that really from 200

metres on. I think there was a bit of tying up towards the end as well,

Salaski had to move out so why to try to take the second automatic

qualifying place and just about got back. Nielsen again was composed,

still fairly inexperienced, but 20 years old it looked an experienced

piece of 400 to indoor running. She has a bit of endurance as well,

I think she can run a lot faster as well, I always say that about women

400-metre runners, always angling for them to move up! Really good

performance, though, looked really mature. We are both making the same

point. Her reward is to chat with Phil.

I know there will be a lot of nerves on a day like today but that was

really accomplished, Steve Cram called it a mature performance. I

was really nervous on the start line because it was my first time, you

want to get it out of the way because you don't know how you feel.

I have never raced so early, my legs had not woken up, so I was glad I

was able to pull it out and I just want to get ready for the semis now.

You know what you are capable of, if you run to potential you will get

through. I never thought I would be in a position where I could control

and ease down in the European Championships so I hope I am in this

position, I'm feeling confident, especially after my run in

Birmingham. The event tinged with disappointment because Lena, your

twin sister, had to pull out. How is she and how has it affected you? We

were both gutted, tears on Wednesday when she got here and realised she

may have to pull out. We still had hope until last night and last night

she decided to pull out because the rest of the year is important so we

gutted but I am flying the flag for both of us, she will come back. You

did extraordinarily well, we wish you well later. Lille real shame for

Lina, her sister, but that was a wonderful performance. And that of

course guarantees a good lane in the semifinals latest day. Quite a good

line-up for the ultimate heat in the women's 400 metres. Interesting

names in there. Getting stronger and stronger.

Moving past Eilidh Doyle in the earnings, Floria Guei did not run in

the Olympics but an outstanding relay runner. Help France to the

European silver medal last year. Former winner of this title, Phil

Healy one of the best-known affiliates in this race, amazing

reeling in an opponents at the University Championships in our

Glastir. 3 million views on you Tube. Two go through automatically.

Tough one for Phil Healy, although she is very quick. 7.31 over 60

metres this season but 400 metres in this heat might be a big task.

Floria Guei rocking in Lane 5. Phil Healy has gone up very quickly on

Rossouw and Hayley trying to get to the break first. Just beginning to

settle into a little bit, these four altogether, and down goes Rosol

over. Slott Petersen out in front but then maybe decisions to be made.

Phil Healy in Fairplay is beginning to tire a little bit. Long wait

clear, two going through automatically. Phil Healy trying to

chase down one of the fastest losers positions but she is being hunted

down. Two out in front, Slott Petersen and Floria Guei, and

Rosolova was clattered as she came down to the track. Four athletes

together. Healy, the three big names, and three into one doesn't

go. Nobody was going to give up their space and somebody should have

checked back. All three of them decided they would muscle through

but none of them had the pace. Healy was trying to get involved. They

come across from her outside. Rosolova closest to her. Healy does

not like them coming across, it is not her fault at all. The two on the

outside forcing Rosolova inside. I'm not sure if she was clipped probably

from behind by Healy, that is why she wet down. She hit the ground of

all those years ago, she seems to be. Watch Slott Petersen and Floria

Guei, Gueye in particular could have checked back. They start cutting

across and of course there is no room. Rosolova has two. Across

Healy. She is clipped from behind by the Irish woman, not her fault. I do

not know what they are going to do. She has grazed her hip. And who I am

wondering what they can do. Healy tripped her, I'm not sure if she can

really be advanced either. She looks winded as well. She went down,

showing symptoms of being winded. Not Healy's fault in any way,

actually she does check. She heats the curving, that is what happens

and then she heats it really hard. Guei gives her a nudge. For me the

French woman should be disco fire. -- disqualified. If Rosolova is OK

they could still give her another run, in the semifinals this evening.

That is the result as it stands at the moment. Rosolova still down on

the track receiving treatment. Unsettling for those just about to

go in the next heat. She is being attended to and it was a very heavy

for. I think she is OK in terms of anything too serious but she was

winded apart from anything else and she hit the ground hard. They have

to move on, as Andrew was saying, a bit disconcerting for the other

athletes. They have put her neck in a brace, we hope for the best for

Denisa Rosolova. As I said I think there might be news on that in terms

of disqualification. These are the athletes in this sixth heat.

Polish indoor champion, really experienced, new personal best this

year. In a good lane on the outside. Again a very competitive heat. Made

the world indoor final last year and in 2014 when it was in her home

country. Last year we were in Portland, the stage. Next year don't

forget Birmingham, around about a year from now. I think you can

register for tickets. Former European junior champion gaffe

Madiea Ghafoor. Rosolova being carried away, the neck brace as we

think a bit of a precaution. Sadly for her that was a very heavy fall.

As I said we may well see the disqualification possibly of way but

we will see. It is coming up on the computer,

Guei has been disqualified. No surprise. As I said in some cases

whatsoever might have been advanced but I'm not sure she will be in any

state to take place in a semifinal but I think that is the right

decision. The Polish athlete on the outside. That was a tough league,

all athletes get the heats and think it is rotten but there is always one

where you wonder about the seeding. I think that was it, but this one is

pretty good as well. Atcho has gone out very slowly. It

is Madiea Ghafoor who comes across, look at the scrap here, the tall

arty matter holding her. The top two to go through, arty matter looking a

bit heavy legged as Sarah Atcho comes round and on the outside, this

could be anybody's race. It will be what is going on out there, the

boxing matches tomorrow, isn't it? Should I she looked as though she

was in control 50 metres out and all of a sudden and many before

responded again. 20 timelines, and you. That was fascinating, as you

said she went out so quickly, she was almost up alongside Swiety

straightaway. She was wading through treacle but then she got a second

wind as arty matter started to fade but Ghafoor could not quite get

there. Fascinating race. Great indoor race come you get these

scraps and we have seen what can happen. She did well because Ghafoor

got a little clip, she just hops a little, loses momentum and then she

gets a nudge which pushes her forward, recovers herself and no

problems there. I do not think anybody is doing anything wrong.

Ghafoor just missing out. Go Mehri you get -- 800 and 15 and a metre

runners are used to barging and bumping but these 400-metre runners

are not necessarily used to that. The race before Rosolova getting

hurt and Floria Guei paying the price. Ghafoor will go through as

the fastest loser, because partly of the Pacific Ocean in the previous

heat. -- because of the disqualification in the Prevacid.

Phil Healy just passed with five metres to go, so she just misses

out. Rosolova took a heavy bump as she fell. Floria Guei paying the

price for the elbows and leaning. That is a good old-fashioned

shoulder charge. You cannot do that. It is a really heavy fall. You are

right about the cut and thrust and you are right that indoors it can be

like that. But at some point you have to accent you have not got the

racing line and you have two axes to the other athletes either from the

outside or the inside. Definite shoulder charge for me. Resulting in

that disqualification. The long jump in the background. This is the

Ukrainian, 23 years of age, I do not know much about this young man.

Opened up with 7.65 and then is in the second round. Massive personal

best. Lifetime best for the Ukrainian. That will take him into

the final he timed it right, longest jump in Europe this year. So maybe

Mickey Serhiy Nykyforov that his name in

the hat for medals tomorrow. Also looking to make the final is Dan

Bramble. Greg Rutherford still shaking off his dancing legs. Dan

Bramble opened with a foul. This is his second effort. You can

see the green line, eighth place so far. That was 7.70 two. Eight

athletes made the final, Bramble has to make that to be able to compete

tomorrow afternoon. He talked about medals, he is going to have two...

Judging by that, the wrong side of the green line. He will have to rely

on his third-round effort. I can tell you his second effort was 7.60

four, 12th place so far. It is a busy arena, Tony is down

there somewhere, a privileged position. In all your years as a

coach, you would have loved the chance to go in the arena in the

middle of the competition?! You are not wrong, I would love to be in

this position, this is normally where I would coach from at the

track but I can't help feeling I am out of place, I feel very nervous

and in the wrong place! But it is a great position and thank you to the

European athletics Association for allowing me out here. We are hoping

to get a bit more of a technical view of some of the field events,

but if the 60-metre hurdles get going, get out of the way because

you will get run over there! We will be back with you shortly.

Something extraordinary has happened in lane three in the 60-metre

hurdles. We are ready for the 400 metres.

Oscar Husillos, exciting Spanish talent, goes in lane six. There is

Oscar Husillos, 23 years old, new Spanish indoor champion, says he

likes the 200 more but going so well on the 400, he has to keep trying.

Rattling through the races now. There will be a fierce contest at

the break. As the loss with a bit of work to do. Tucked in behind Koch

and Bony fussier at the moment. -- bolivar cheer. Bonevacia and Marc

Koch, the German, in those automatic positions at the moment. Saunders

trying to make his move. Bonevacia takes it, who's he lost takes second

and down goes Koch, a little trip on tired legs as well, no more than

that but Liemarvin Bonevacia did look strong, Dutch record-holder,

bronze medal at the European Championships last year, a bit of a

jig and he is safely through to the semifinals. The sea loss gives him a

high five, he came through but had to work quite hard, Bonevacia

controlled that race from the break. Yes, interesting for me watching

Oscar Husillos, he is running very, very well, Spanish record-holder.

Left it late, having to go round the big strong big of Marc Koch of

Germany, those big legs of his just got filled with lactic right at the

end and he fell down the track. Again, he is OK. Bonevacia looked

good, just controlled it. Oscar was the loss will have to be on his game

if he is going to get through. Four, five out of ten? Actually, no, he is

better than me, I will give him eight out of ten for that. As I

said, and little high five for Oscar Husillos but he is going to have to

be more into the race earlier in the semifinal if he is to get through to

the final. Second place behind Liemarvin

Bonevacia, they are the two automatic qualifiers. Only the two

fastest losers over the five heats in the men's 400 metres.

OK, Tony, we can have a little bit more of the chat now. High jump

about to get... It is already underway in the pentathlon. Any

casual viewer of athletics couldn't fail to notice how good the multi

eventers are in the women's high jump, why is that? I think it is

just the nature of the event, to be honest. In order to be good at all

seven events, you are going to be lean and quick and those things

support you in terms of high jump. What about the arena? Sometimes

endorse a high jump can be a bit squeezed. It has been difficult for

the girls to warm up, they are starting 15 minutes late in terms of

what they are doing so the warm up has gone on quite long, that has

been confusion, problems with the uprights as well, the sticky tape is

not sticking to the track, so we will see how that goes. It causes a

bit of nervousness. Anything you can do to help out down there? No, I

will stay well clear, to be honest! No British athlete in the men's 400

metres at all, which is a bit of a shame, one or two were hoping they

would get selected, and of course it means no men's 4x400 team for Great

Britain either on the last afternoon. That Lavigne, the great

UK indoor specialist over the last few years, continuing his long road

to recovery, James Ellington out after his involvement in that

accident in ten are we -- Nigel Levine, the UK in DOS batch of it.

No British involvement in the men's 400 metres but this is the line-up

for the second heat. It contains powerful Maslak, the

favourite, the defending champion, such a good indoor runner and

whether it is the Europeans all the worlds, he is undoubtedly a

competitor. Recently ran a new indoor record in Czechoslovakia of

20.50 two. Brian Gregan for Ireland. Van Diepen of the Netherlands.

Trademark... I am running out of terms, what are they? Sleeves, of

course they are, without tops! Because it is cold indoors. Anyway,

Maslak will be the man they are chasing. Brian Gregan inside, decent

Irish contingent here, actually, reasonable sized team. Quite a few

of them on show this morning, we have seen one or two already. Healy

didn't get through in the women's 400 metres, sadly, Gregan will try

to do better. 46.59 his season's best. Van Diepen of the Netherlands,

Mauritz Kashagen and also Lorentz E. It is the top two, many of these

athletes come with times under 47. You get the feeling one or two of

the British athletes could have done some damage in this men's 400.

Cleanly away. No, it's not. I knew as soon as I said that... See

anything, Andrew? I thought it was a very good start by Ruzic Mateo. I

can tell you Mauritz Kashagen may be the man who has transgressed.

Anything under 0.1 deemed an illegal start, 0.081. He could get a conduct

warning. Just waiting for the athletes to walk back then the

official will walk out. It will be disqualification, I have seen the

colour of the card that the Marx man has. He has just been told, in fact,

the shaken, having a little bit of a discussion -- Moritz to shaken. I

don't know what he is arguing about. Sorry, mate. It is Kashagen. That is

a sad face. Well, he has to resign himself to the fact that you can't

really argue, they have shown him the printout as well, and if he had

a chance to look at the replay, I mean, he knows, you know when you

have made a false start as clearly as that. Maslak taking a few moments

to relax while they sort this out. I have to say, disqualifications,

fine, it happens, but they have not been super-quick at moving on from

that and making the decision, telling the athlete, moving one.

They have changed the length as well of the hold on the start, it is

very, very quick now for the gun to go because there were long, long

hold earlier. Kashagen still... Well, nothing he can do. It is a

long way to come from Norway to Belgrade and then first morning, he

has been nervous, looking forward to this will be, running the

Championships, family might have travelled out. Not a good morning.

So, Maslak on the outside, Brian Gregan, van Diepen. Maslak expected

to control this. That long, rangy action of his, those arms, plain to

see. Van Diepen trying to get involved but Maslak should be able

to control this, Gregan trying to hold him off but he checks back, a

smart thing to do, the Irish man now in second place. Lorenzi trying to

make up some ground, the top three go through. Maslak looking

comfortable at the front, Gregan will come under pressure from Ruzic

and Lorenzi. Maslak has a look around, sees there is still trouble,

has to extend and Gregan might make it through. Maslak is going to win

it, Gregan gets second spot, takes a tumble as well. Well done to Brian

Gregan, making it through. No doubt about the winner, he just did

everything he needed to and nothing more. Semifinals are tonight, after

the women's, indeed, so Maslak safely through. 47.50 seven. The

times are not fantastic, not an issue for him, he is winning

comfortably, but the others are fighting hard. What a contrast

between Maslak and the rest. Conserving as much energy as he

could, just held on, but that was an easy, controlled race. Ruzic and

Gregan in a titanic battle, Ruzic is a hugely powerful figure, but Gregan

holding on. Maslak looked very, very strong, he will be a hard man to

beat. The effort on the face of Gregan to hold off Ruzic, which he

did, but look at the ease on Maslak's face, the ease with which

he crossed that line. There is the contrast and the favourite for the

title. So, confirmed second place for Brian Gregan in a 47.62. Slow at

times for others. 47.66 might be fast enough to go through... No,

there are only two fastest losers to go through so it is not looking good

for Matteo Ruzic. Bramble, last chance to qualify. It

is good, will it be the white flag? I think he knows he has gone over

the board. That is really disappointing for Dan Bramble, very

optimistic about his chances here. He knows he has made a mess of that,

foul on the first round, a big foul, you can see, in this third round,

and that is it, he is out. 7.64, you can see the 12 against his name, his

position so far. Only eight will qualify so Britain's only hope in

the long jump competition, there he is, lying flat, I know Tony is down

there, nearer than me. Reaction to that? He just lengthened on the end

of the runway, big stride, straight to the plasticine. It is awkward

here, there is a three-metre board, you normally find a two metre board,

so it plays the game a bit, spatial awareness, he just lengthened I

think on that last one and it is a great shame because he was capable

of the qualifying jump. Would you have expected an athlete to fix that

mid-competition? Yes, I'm not sure where his coach is and who is

supporting him but that would be what you would put across, to make

that last step a bit shorter. I am getting in the way of the

heptathlete dooming their stride, sorry! But tighten up that last

step. We saw exactly what you have explained in slow motion there, the

big stride into the last step before take-off, exactly that. Competition

over for Dan Bramble, he won't be taking

No outstanding favourites in this heat. Again we have seen some very

good racing so far. Maslak looked very controlled in the last race.

Spain should have a good relay team here.

Two to go through automatically, only two fastest losers. Again

fairly even between these men so far this season. Strong start in laying

five by Rafal Omelko. Lucas Bua leading them out. Bit of a gap now

from Lucas Bua, who is looking composed. Now Rafal Omelko coming

into second. Strong finish perhaps from the Frenchman as well. Clearer

in the end than we thought. Your Andy Yoan Decimus coming through

perhaps to take third. Lucas Bua was in charge from an

early stage. This is working out really interesting. The men have

only got two semifinals. All of the heat winners cannot get the outside

lanes. So Lucas Bua winning with a quicker time. I thought the front

two were pretty impressive. Rafal Omelko went off a bit too slowly, he

is very experienced, but he didn't panic. The Spaniards looking pretty

good. Lucas Bua in particular, that is a good performance which will set

him up well for the semis. His team-mate who see us might get a

difficult lane. -- Husillos. I see it is a good Spanish contingent in

the men's 400 metres. And another one going in this one. You mention

Samuel Garcia, and there are two British athletes on that top ten

list. Again a fairly evenly matched this season. I think Roger was

opening the might get a selection, George Caddick ran very fast in the

states ten days ago, not sure he would have been up for selection any

way. No British athletes in this so we are left clear. What is the

selection criteria? For those not really familiar with athletics.

Athletes who might make a final. The long jump continues. A look back

another of the qualifiers. Home advantage of course being the local

athlete. Looks a bit like Novak Djokovic, don't you think. Maybe a

distant relative. So the Serbian very much buoyed by the relatively

small crowd here. Pleased with that as he should be. Equals his outdoor

best. More importantly takes on through to the final. So some local

interest. Always interesting the home advantage and what that does to

an athlete's blonde. Making the most of that. Qualifying. The Ukrainian

with the European leading time. But no Dan Bramble. Said news for Dan

Bramble, only one legal jump. Tough night last night. Expecting big

crowds for the finals. Garcia on the outside. Two or three interesting

athletes here. Alcinas in Lane 5. New fine for them.

Martin Schlegel from Germany in Lane 3. Couple of promising youngsters up

against Garcia on the outside. Altintas from Turkey to go with him

and muscle pull from the Dutch athlete Terrence Agard. It is Garcia

controlling us. Altintas ahead of Schlegel. Garcia are running it as

he once. Altintas trying to get on terms. Schlegel having to work hard.

Garcia keeping them at bay. Holding them back. We'll want to come off

this end hard. As this one in the bag. It looks like Altintas the

clear second. The job across the line. The Spaniards looked good.

Never writing off the checks of course but it is turning out to be

certainly three very good Spaniards into the semifinal. They look pretty

good. Probably one of the easier it is but certainly dominated.

Different field to the other Spaniards. Tall and powerful. That

race became just a little bit clearer with what looked like the

hamstring from Terrence Agard from the Netherlands and certainly it was

four running for two places. Garcia controlling things and Altintas

benefited as well from the injury to Agard and the youngster, Martin

Schlegel, the German, 19-year-old, looked strong earlier but tied up a

little bit. Garcia in control. Three Spaniards moving through pretty

well. Two as heat winners into the semifinals. Just after 6pm 's

Serbian time. This is Agard. Might have been the quad actually.

Schlegel I can tell you that is not going to be quick enough actually to

go through as fast as fastest loser. His team-mate Koch still hanging on.

Getting ready for the women's shot put qualification, some British

interest in Rachel Wallader. We can sue her for her first attempt. In

good form this year. Looking for something over 17 metres would be a

good start. Well, it is I believe closer to the 18-metre line. Smile

from Rachel. She needs 1770 to be an automatic qualifier but in these

early stages we won't know the exact distance. Rachel Wallader. In the

first place. The early stages. Considering her consistent

behaviour, performance I should say then getting beyond 73 metres once

again. She has done that twice already this year. Great stuff from

Rachel. Just about ready just in front of us for the final heat of

the men's 400 metres. The Slovenian. Tall figure. That sort of hype often

counts against you indoors but he will be a contender here. Just

outside him Mario Lamprou the of Italy but inside Benjamin Malabo,

European junior champion. Then the Serbian just 22, Raovic. He gets the

excitement of the crowd. We mentioned the European under 25

champion Jordier. Two go through automatically and just two fastest

losers. Marc Koch in the last lucky loser position at the moment 147.3

nine. That look like Lane 5, easy to spot

in the bright green, Steve. He just twitched but it was very clear as it

were. He has had a tough morning, the starter. He is 25. He was when

he started. It was Lane 5. He definitely moved first. On the

reaction time he did not believe the box that have two states still. None

of them have. But he definitely moved, so it'll be interesting to

see what he gets. They are it. That is a clear twitch. Again he has not

released the pressure to give the illegal reaction time but here she

comes... We might just get a, done on, she has been Jelle van der

Heyden. Keeping us in suspense. It is the unknown... -- conduct

warning. Maybe she has a yellow hidden. You are fine, Luca. He

shrugs it off, ready to go again. To remind you two of those and it is a

false start. If he get the conduct warning he gets disqualified. Raovic

on the inside. Jordier in Lane 3. Lobo Vedel from Denmark in an four.

Cleanly away this time, could start by Jordier in Lane 3 and remember

they will break. Towards the end of this first lap. Who will take

control? Pretty even at the moment although a good start as well by

Luka Janezic in Lane 5 alongside Lambrughi but he is being left a

little bit at the moment. Tucks in behind and Vedel is there, battling

with Luka Janezic. Vedel loses a couple of metres but they are

looking impressive at the moment. Vedel in control, the Danish

athlete. Running a very strong race. Janezic beginning to labour just a

little bit and it is close behind him. Yanez H finds enough pace but

I'm very impressive run from Benjamin Lobo Vedel, European junior

champion. 19-year-old. He looks like he is 19. Hasn't yet filled out that

my goodness he has some pace. That was a very strong run. Looks like he

should know. Very good, personal best. Big personal best. Getting

close to his outdoor best now. Really controlled, not the quickest

but a nice action, tall guy, not as tall as Janowicz behind, who held on

well, but look at... He looks better there, the arms have gone a little

bit dead, the arms were obviously tired but there has to be a bit more

in the tank there and he is pretty impressive so Denmark suddenly have

someone who may content. Mario Lambrughi di's time may be quick

enough to see him through as fastest loser as well, only two going

through automatically. I think the two fastest losers will come from

that. Benjamin Lobo Vedel through automatically along with Janezic,

Mario Lambrughi gay and Thomas Jordier doing enough to go through.

We are moving quickly to catch up time. Let's listen to Oskan-Clarke's

words from yesterday. I think this year I have stepped up

my training, I train at quite a high level, I have trained hard through

the other years but for some reason I never seem to get out until I need

to when it is the bigger competitions, I seem to run better,

hopefully! It is like I need a bit of pressure, or I like the pressure

to dig deep. What would be a huge success this weekend, what could you

do? I basically got to do whatever it is I need to do when I'm out

there on the track, I need to make sure I'm in the right position,

whatever someone is bringing to me, I need to react to that. I'm fit

enough and strong enough to be able to go out there and fight for my

place in the final, compete for a medal. What tactics will suit you?

Fast, a nice rhythm, I'm not good with the slow... Well, I've got

speed so if it is slow and at the front, fine. The first races I do, I

don't like being at the back. But fast is good. In terms of the whole

year, 2017, and amazingly important year because of the World

Championships in London, where does this fit in terms of your yearly

plan? It was always our plan to come and compete here, to be competitive.

It is not something that I have tapered so much for, the bigger plan

is to do well and qualify for the World Championships, so I couldn't

really focus too much, I have focused on my endurance, I needed to

get that worked in so I haven't focus too heavily with my training,

but it will be a good confidence boost, so if I can get a medal and

be competitive going forward. How much do you want a medal? I really

want a medal, it will be good for my confidence because I know I train

hard, probably better than some of the girls and it is time for me to

actually get the medal to go with it.

Well, I think she has got a good chance, if she can do what she has

done in the past, race again in the Championships. She has taken a while

to get her season going, first three or four raises, by her own

admission, string was struggling to get out of rhythm, in Birmingham she

dropped more to what was required and will certainly come into these

championships full of hope. But there are plenty of women who will

be thinking the same thing, including Lyakhova of Ukraine. Czech

Republic in lane four. Shelayna Oskan-Clarke is in lane two. I saw

her training in South Africa with the rest of the middle distance

group and she looked very good there. I think she was surprised as

to why that did not come through in racing immediately in the indoor

season but she is set up nicely for these Championships. They are cover

will be the big threat here, in lane five, the Ukrainian -- Lyakhova. Top

two go through, so it is not that easy but she should be OK year,

Paula. She talked about wanting a good with them. She talked about

even if it was slow, she wanted to make sure she was at the front, out

of trouble and able to respond as the dangers come round here, the

danger probably sitting on her shoulder now with Lyakhova there. As

we talked about earlier, that 2.01 in Birmingham put her confidence

where it should have been and I think the frustration was starting

to come in because Shelayna was not seeing that come through from the

training. Nice steady pace, looks like it has settled down a little

bit slower as they approach 400. She is where she wants to be, you can

control it there, Lyakhova on her shoulder, the others have a chance

and what she needs to do is start to stretch them a bit, not get

surprised by anybody. Exactly, she needs to be ready because the danger

will come and it will come fast and she needs to be able to respond to

that. When the pace slows you can almost settle into the rhythm and

find it very hard to raise the pace and react as the girls start to come

past. She has left a gap on the inside. One or two of these 400 or

400 hurdle specialists as well, she needs to careful here. Top two go

through, Lyakhova cannot get past Velvere, Shelayna has to respond,

she does it well. Shelayna Oskan-Clarke in the lead, Velvere

are still trying to get round, Lyakhova not in the top two, she

will leave it late, she trusts her kick butt Shelayna Oskan-Clarke as

to keep working to the line, Lyakhova might get one out of this,

one of the big favourites will not go through by rights. 2.06. Velvere,

the Latvian, a bit of a surprise package there and she goes through

with a very, very confident performance from Shelayna

Oskan-Clarke, perfectly run tactically, controlled the race at

the front, controlled the pace, responded to the pressure, had that

bit of acceleration to hold off Velvere, but what about Lyakhova?

Never really got moving, she has run two minutes this year. All through

that race we kept thinking the danger would come from Lyakhova, she

is leaving it late, very late, I think she didn't have it there at

all and Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, when she crossed the line, you could see

the relief and satisfaction she had won the race well, executed her race

well, but also confused because she is thinking, why didn't Lyakhova

come past me sooner? Expecting the danger do, the outside but Lyakhova

did not have the change of pace to get back on terms. And it wasn't

quick, to -- 2.06. This is what the early rounds are about, having to

react to what is going on. She was so confident, the Ukrainian, that

she would finish quickly, but couldn't do it. Velvere the one that

goes through with Shelayna. Shelayna, well done. I know you

talked to Steve Backley about how you don't like slow races so you

went to control it from the front? It is better that way for my rhythm.

I thought, if I can control it from the front, I thought someone would

push me a bit quicker but I just went to my own rhythm and when

someone attacked I just reacted but I feel better doing it that way. You

got a bit of a shop in the back at one point, did that put you off? It

is fine, normal in an 800. After that, there was a point where

Velvere came when you're outside and you kicked in again? I had to kind

of hold the pace when I knew she was going to go there. I needed to hold

my pace and react and go for the line. You have spoken to us time and

again about how much hard work you have put in, this is your time now,

ready to deliver a medal for this weekend? This is just the start. I

hope so, I'm sort of honour roll, I hope, I hope to get a medal. I want

to leave knowing I have done my best. We wish you well for the semis

tomorrow, well done today. Thank you.

So, qualification comfortable in the end for Shelayna Oskan-Clarke. Times

are not important, really, but have Lyakhova there are three fastest

loser spots. They only need to run .32 and she is out. They are capable

of that. Anita Hinriksdottir goes in this

one, she is very experienced. Likes to get out in front as well, rather

ungainly style but a great talent, Hinriksdottir second of the heats of

the 400 metres. Hinriksdottir around the bend and into the position she

feels most comfortable in. Just having a little book there. Suddenly

Masna comes flying past her, Tkachuk as well, Hinriksdottir looking a bit

less comfortable. Hinriksdottir mixing up her tactics here, her

usual tactic is to go to the front and stretch out and hang on from

there, sometimes she gets it wrong and goes out way too fast but it is

rare to see her sitting in the back like this, you can see she is not

comfortable down the back straight. She was looking up at the screen as

they started so it is her plan to sit in, not that she wasn't able to

get to the front. Masna, who is very experienced in indoor Championships

as well, controlling this from the front at the moment. One of those

who have had upgrading is following day disqualifications of a Russian

athlete. She is out in front at the moment. Looking comfortable enough

in third place, Hinriksdottir, but remember only two go through

automatically. All five in this race still with a chance of earning one

of the two automatic qualifying places. Hinriksdottir looking to

make her move now, this is what she has planned for. Hit the bell, just

that injection of pace. Great running by Henrik Studley, she and

Lisa Lint are well placed. Henrik Studley comfortable indeed --

Hinriksdottir very comfortable indeed. A very well-run race by the

Icelandic athlete, a big victory ahead of Lovisa Lindh. We talked

about her as a front runner in so many races earlier in her career,

she is starting to mix up tact is a bit and that was a very well

planned, well thought out race. She really loved in control and very

mature in the way she was racing. Physically she looks a lot stronger

than she has in the past, looks a lot more balanced, less like Bambi!

A lot more control and power and she showed that with the way she surged

to the front and basically controlled the race. She still had

another couple of gears left at the end, she was looking up at the

screen, around the stadium, whereas Lovisa Lindh was chasing hard, she

knew she was in the second qualifying position but still

working a lot harder than Hinriksdottir is at that point.

Hinriksdottir will be a strong contender, that is a QuickTime, to

have that injection of pace is pretty impressive from

Hinriksdottir. She and Lovisa Lindh go through automatically. Alexandra

struck the bar, personal best, she will hope she is one of the three

fastest qualifiers. -- Alexandra Stukova.

You can see be shot but Cage there. Served a ban in 2008, comes in here

with a season's best of over 18 metres so is a contender for the

title here. Decent throw there. European indoor silver-medallist two

years ago. Bit of a statement that, in the first round. Over 18 metres,

just under, 17.81 also qualifying. We saw Anita Marton throwing in

Birmingham recently, very impressive indeed. The Hungarian defending

champion two years ago. Bronze in Rio. Bang on that 18-metre line, in

fact measured at 17.66, just behind that put off Leantsiuk. And Rachel

Wallader, we saw her first round throw a few moments ago, she is in

sixth place. Eight qualifying, it will be touch and go whether the

Brit can make it through to denied's final. Anita Marton looks that she

has booked a place. This is Rachel Wallader, God that throw in the

first round. 17.20. She can find settle into and really stepped it up

and attack this second effort. Settles at the back of the circle.

You can see she collapsed so the left side went away. Just got ahead

of that for me. Difficult to see at full speed but still in sixth place

is 16.90 nine. We move on to the third heat in the

women's 800 metres. We were not far away from not having a first round

in this. 19 athletes in total. Top two and three fastest losers. They

could all go through and still have room for another one. If they go

fast enough. Three Scandinavian athletes against

the French athlete here. You wonder whether she wants to give all four

of them a chance. Absolutely, what they should have done is much how

the heats beforehand have done and have an eye on the fastest loser. If

the run quicker and can work together, they are giving themselves

the best chance of thing to do that. They just need to take turns at the

front. Four with personal bests still very much about the same Mike

Selvey -- so they are well capable. Anna Silvander moving around a

little bit. We did not give you the news

that Olha Lyakhova is out. Stena Trow is trying to stretch out. All

four of them staying in this position since the beginning. Might

as well have not bothered running 800 metres. Now she is pulling away,

Clarisse Moh finally moves out. She comes charging on the outside. She

the win. Close. If they had all just helped a little bit more, all four

of them could have got through. Clarisse Moh probably thinking she

only has to kick. One or two of the others might realise that they lost

an opportunity. Looking at the faces I am not sure they were able to.

They were just not able to get to the front and help Troest. That is

everything she has got to come through, whereas Troest is in

control. She knows she has put working but she knows she is

comfortable. I think Hedda Hynne will still go

through is fastest loser. You could say maybe Clarisse Moh were slightly

boxed in earlier but I do not think she had much more to give. Very

tight in the end and the Norwegian will have to wait and see, she is in

a fastest loser spot at the moment. But we have one more heat to come

with five athletes in that one. STUDIO: The Olympic champion taking

it easy. Heptathlon champion in Rio ahead of Jessica Ennis-Hill, the

changing of the guard last year. Previous champion of indoor

competition, decent hurdles, not quite her best. Start her hijab.

Made light work of that. Maybe slight concern there. She gets off

to a clean start. Second event of five all of them in one day. We

mentioned Jessica Ennis-Hill and I know Tony is in the infield.

Broersen clear. What do you make of it so far, Toni? It is an early

start. Broersen took tense and her opening hide, they have been sat for

40 minutes. If you have two warm up and then sit down it is difficult.

You saw 1.72, much quicker on the runway and no problems at all. We

have only lost so far one person, Esther Turpin about to go again on

her third attempt. Taking off a bit far from the runway. The coaches on

the far side have been given instructions. Again just too far

away, very short steps at the beginning. If she had pressed a

little more, that would have put her high point above the bar instead of

in front of it where she is coming down on it. Little adjustments going

on. Thiam will not come in until 1.80 one. That is where she has

declared. -- 1.80 one. She will have been waiting an hour since her warm

up. On the other side of the arena from the high jump in the pentathlon

we have the last of the first-round heats of the women's 800 metres.

Defending European indoor champion. She will be a strong favourite here.

There is Selina Buchel. At the start of every she went close to two

minutes. Guerrero of Spain on the inside. Spanish indoor champion. The

time they are looking for as fastest Ludo is 2.05:63, Silvan Diller of

sweetener. Guerrero and Selina Buchel the two quickest athletes on

paper. The others know if they can get close to 2.05:63 they will be in

the chance of going through ahead of Anna Silvander, who is currently

fastest loser. Click else just biding her time at the back. Sitting

and waiting and watching. You would say Buchel is a big favourite coming

in and certainly she is letting this race unfold in front of her. One

major could come from the stadium. She is in shape and she is dangerous

if this goes to slow. -- Verstegen. They should know whether fastest

losers are, it is four going through so it is a roundabout 2.05 they need

to go quicker than. The previous races have backed off. Guerrero

ahead of Al Zaman, Verstegen and Selina Buchel still waiting. Henrik

Anita Henriksdottir making her move around the home straight of the

third lap. Buchel beginning to cruise past Elvemo, she has that

stamina, change in pace.. McHugh does look great so far although she

is turning the burners on now. Ter Stegen out in front. Buchel going

through automatically with Verstegen. Still out in front.

Selina Buchel looking relatively comfortable, Guerrero getting back

on their coat-tails. Ter Stegen might be the one to suffer. Guerrero

trying to get back to the Dutch athlete. Guerrero has second place.

Verstegen will go through anyway, the winning time 2.03:12. Guerrero

was quick enough she looked good in the end, maybe nerves on her face.

It is nerve-racking when you know you are so much quicker on paper and

you should be able to control it all. But also save energy. Buchel in

the end although she was slow to react in the closing stages one she

moved onto the shoulder of Verstegen she is still looking very relaxed.

Verstegen working very hard. Frantically looking at the screen to

seek Marrero on her outside. She should know she has gone quick

enough. -- Guerrero on her outside. The Steger went well in the 1000

metres recently that Laura Muir set a European record.

Verstegen going through as one of the fastest losers. Selina Buchel

will be a strong contender for the title here in Belgrade. Actually

Charlie Matthaus of Luxembourg goes through as well.

-- Charline Mathias. Before we go on we will look back at previous

British successes, you might just recognise this first one.

This six athletes on the way for this men's 800 metres. Young

Sebastian Coe leading at the moment. He is running away from this field

at the moment with one lap to go. Really leaving a long trail behind

them. Still they are not closing the gap. Coe going away again. He really

is taking them on. He has done it from the front. Coe all the way, he

could have a remarkable record. Just outside world record indoors for

Coe. Very good memories there, said Coen

is, Paula, of locally finished last the cut his hair he might have faced

further up. -- if the bloke who finished last had cut his hair.

Interesting to see how much things have changed and things haven't,

still very competitive times. We would see him advancing easily from

the heats. It is an event where we have had a lot of success. I am

wondering why neither of you really fancied indoors. I was too tall.

That was an excuse. Seb ideally suited, he did a lot through his

career. Anyway, we will see more of past British successes throughout

the weekend before now we need an update from the women's put with

Steve. Bit of an update, Rachel Wallader you can see getting ready

for her third attempt. She will need to improve because the news is at

the end of the second round she was post down from sixth down to tenth

place. Only eight athletes qualify for the final this evening. She is

making preparations for her third throw as we watch Claudine Vita

landing on the 18-metre line. Dubitskaya still leading qualifier.

Of Belarus. No medals awarded, only a place in the final should you get

into the top eight. Dubitskaya already has a place pretty much,

leading thrower. Maybe just an insurance effort.

Shot put is tend to do a lot of throws in training so maybe just

orienting ourselves to the sector, the Cage on the far side of the

stadium here. So, Dubitskaya, one to watch when it comes to the final.

So, Anita Marton looking at her second attempt, rotating, as you

will see, quick. Bang on that 18-metre line. Slightly behind the

effort of Dubitskaya. Sheik of the head from Anita Marton. Olympic

bronze-medallist. We know she can compete. It will be quite a final,

that, a battle going to the 80 metres, Anita Marton sure to get a

place. Well, Rachel Wallader of Great Britain knows exactly what is

in front of her, 17.20 her best so far, she needs a throw in excess of

17.25 in this third and final round. That is high, and long. Well, Rachel

Wallader, pursed lips, she must did everything she has got there and I

think she has improved. That's better, kept her left side, didn't

open up, it is down the middle. Back up into eighth place, 17 would 35,

might get her through to denied's final. -- 17.35. What an effort from

Rachel Wallader, she has done all she can, she can rest. It is up to

the other athletes, though, because if anyone goes beyond 17.30 Wanna do

is out. It would be a great effort to make the final, the first Saint

Judy Oakes in 2000 to compete in the European indoor Championships but

she will have a nervous wait to see if anyone goes beyond her eighth

place. Alina Shukh of the Ukraine in the high jump. She broke the world

junior record. 18 just a few weeks ago. Well, I mention she no height

it, there are clearly errors and technical challenges that she is

looking to address. Maybe Tony can shed some light on that? She has

been waiting an hour before she came into the competition but she seems

quite assured. She lost her break mark but calmly went and picked up

another roll of tape, waited for a second and put that back in. The

other thing I'm seeing is she travels along way across the bar so

she is not converting another of her runway to lift, it is more of a long

jump than the high jump you would really want. Thanks, Tony. We moved

back to the men's 800 metres. Just to pick up Andrew Cotter's question,

some good youngsters, Kupers, former medallist in these championships,

Brice Etes. Paula is looking at me to get the pronunciation right!

Kramer from Sweden. The ditch of Hungary. I did run indoors once,

5000 metres in Spain, I remember a velodrome with a track inside, cycle

meet, 12,000 people all smoking. I remember that same thing, running

through the haze. Different days! I remember thinking 5000 is a long way

when you are breathing in that much smoke! Interesting young lad there,

Robert Farken of Germany. New German indoor champion, just 19 years of

age, very quick outdoors last year as well. Didn't qualify for the

World Junior Championships, ran quick enough but missed the

qualification window. Then the experience of Coopers.

Kramer of Sweden as well in second. And the experience of Kupers. You

can see Kramer has gone out with a plan to track Kupers.

Top two qualify, four fastest losers. Ball of them pulling away

well at the moment. Kupers leading, took it out pretty quick, 50.87,

hasn't run that fast live this year, only one race but I am told he is in

good shape. Kramer of Sweden, the 19-year-old, doing well and holding

of the other 19-year-old in fourth at the moment. And the Spaniard, and

the jar, is just in third spot now -- Andujar. Kupers is really falling

back as quickly as Robert Farken is, expected him to react better than

that. Maybe he will regroup and attack again but he looks under

pressure. Kupers trying to come back, only the top two go through,

still has a chance of getting past Andujar but it is the other

19-year-old, Kramer, looking good. Driving bond, Kupers comes back and

gets second place. Robert Farken finished pretty quickly but couldn't

get up to the top three, so those two go through, that was pretty

impressive from the Swede, a bit quicker than the German not outdoors

but indoors this year, personal best for him, and he was the one who came

out on top in the battle of the teenagers. Personal best, knocking

almost a second off his best, very impressive. A big personal best, and

to run it like that in the heats, he did try to run that as if it was a

fine but he had no inhibitions about going past Kupers at all, no

worries, breezed straight past and attacked hard and in the end Kupers

had enough left to get past Andujar quite comfortably but I'm not sure

he will have planned for the race to pan out that way. Yes, he got a bit

leggy towards the end but he is tall and has a bit of pace, you saw the

change of acceleration so a good win for him. Here he goes, getting a bit

tired, using his arms to keep driving those legs forward, strong

finish from Kupers, probably taken by surprise a little bit. Andujar in

third spot, has a chance of going through, four fastest loser spots

from these four races. Big personal best and a season's best Kupers,

just his second race the year. -- his second race of the year.

Another chance to see Alina Shukh of the Ukraine, second attempt at 1.75.

Tony Minichiello told us what she has too changed to go clear. She has

done it, and by some margin. She is a 1.90 plus high jump at her best.

Let's have a look at this, much better from the Ukrainian youngster.

1.75 her opening height, nerves settle for sure. Did you manage to

get a word with her, Toby? Tony Minichiello, we are just having a

look at that again. She made adjustments, was she within earshot?

Did she listen to you?! Know, I am just an observer! Normally you are

only focused on your own athlete, and it is interesting, Alina Shukh

starts on the athletics track so it was touch and go between the start

of the men's 800 heat and whether she would be able to run quickly,

officials looking grand nervously as to whether to intervene or not. But

if you look at the habitat beats, they are more on their feet, running

and jumping around, that is nervous energy -- look at the heptathletes.

We get into the business end of the competition. Just another look at

this, jumping from the left side, she had the space, the vertical

element that maybe was missing, Tony talked about travelling, she gets up

off of the contact there. A significant clearance, that will be

a confidence boost, the next height is 1.78. Second event of five in the

pentathlon. Tony, is she the future of the event? Only time will tell,

to be brutally honest. She is really young and very young looking so

there is a long time for her to mature. I am looking at some of the

other young girls, one of them is now 22, she has filled out, clearly

spent the winter getting stronger, and that is what happens over time,

the athletes get stronger and the physicality comes out but she is a

very young looking 18-year-old, and some great skills, high jumping

skills, the sprinting isn't quite there but hopefully that will come

with time. A question on Nafi Thiam, the Olympic champion. We talk about

having to wait around, she has not even got her spikes on yet, maybe

just putting them on now in shop, you can see. How much of a challenge

is the weight that she will have in the second event, the high jump? It

is something she will be used to, we have been going now 70 minutes and

she still hasn't had a jump. She got on her feet, ran about a bit, did

some short sprints and as an official if she could be excused to

go to the ladies room, so she is taking it in her stride, taking her

time. 1.81 is a height she will come in at, I think it is early, she will

probably use that as a fighter, then don't be too surprised, she might

skip 84 and go straight to 87. Navidi under the watchful eye of our

inside man Tony miniature as we move onto the second heat of the 800

metres, the first round. Amel Tuka in this one. Zak Curran for Ireland.

Borkowski, what a great pedigree we have in this event. Borkowski

perhaps the future of the event for Polish men.

Two going through automatically plus the four fastest losers. Also keep

an eye out for the time. The first heat one quickly by Kramer of

Sweden. Amel Tuka, already put a hand-out to steady himself from

Borkowski, the young Polish athlete getting his first experience of a

major championships. Amel Tuka often likes to sit at the back and timed

his run but a different approach here. A different approach and a

different look on his face, he is looking a bit more relaxed now but

he looked a bit more in pain on the first lap, he does have his ankle

heavily strapped. Amel Tuka should be able to control and come through

this heat fairly easily. Behind him they are very balanced and it will

be a tough race to get those qualifying positions. Amel Tuka,

bronze-medallist in front at the moment. Mateusz Borkowski, the

19-year-old Polish athlete, moving out wide. As he spent too much

energy here? Amel Tuka response and keeps the youngster at bay. Jan

Kubista of the Czech Republic, the two going through automatically. Zak

Curran moving up now to put himself into contention. If he can run a

personal Betty have a chance. -- a personal best. Kubista comes round

the outside, motoring away from Amel Tuka and from Borkowski, and a Zak

Curran have a lot of work to do now. Kubista moving away, Jan Kubista to

take the victory. Mateusz Borkowski, the 19-year-old Polish athlete. By

the Amel Tuka looking down at his leg as it beaten the big -- as if he

took a bit of a spike. I think Amel Tuka might be carrying something

because he is limping a bit as he walks around, and he certainly

wasn't able to respond when Kubista came past, and it was not that

quick, Tuka should be able to handle that easily, but as it was, when

Kubista sped past him, there was no reaction whatsoever and Tuka was

already looking around to make sure he had enough done to be able to

hold off Borkowski down that straight, Borkowski giving it

everything he can to get back on That is worrying, you can see the

effort and grimace on his face. He goes through automatically but

really he should have enough to respond here. He was just in the end

holding off the young Polish athlete that a good win and he goes through

to the semifinals that take place tomorrow.

Final attempts in this women's shot put qualification at the start of

the third round. No real concern here, although the

slight improvement here. Also saving her best for last. Again

an athlete who is ahead of Rachel Wallader. Smile breaks and last, she

is in the final, sixth place. Anita Marton in second place. The