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December 2009
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Portuguese men and Spanish women lead Group A in Leira - Day 1 |
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22.06.2008 |
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| Spain's Dolores Checa winning the 3,000m
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The host nation Portugal and its Mediterranean neighbour Spain, lead after the first day of competition at the European Cup 1st League, Group A event in Leira (POR).
The Spanish women took full points in four out of the 11 events in the sun drenched Dr. Magalhães Pessoa stadium, separated from the Czech Republic by an impressive seven points thanks to outstanding victories from Dolores Checa in the 3,000m, Rosa María Morató in the 3,000m Steeplechase, Carlota Castrejana in the Triple Jump and Naroa Aguirre in the Pole Vault.
World Javelin Champion Barbora Spotáková did her level best to maximise the Czech score with her 63.79m throw that won the second ranked nation its full quota of eight points.
Sprinter Kim Gevaert did the same for Belgium when she crossed the 100m finish line in 11.36, then went on to lead the Belgium Relay team to 4x100m victory.
Portugal's Javelin representative Silvia Cruz delighted the home crowd with a new Portuguese record of 59.76m, but it was Double European Sprint Champion Frances Obikwelu who got everyone on their feet, as he blasted down the home straight in 10.16 to claim the 100m title with ease.
The 29-year-old Portuguese hero continued his winning streak, by driving the men's 4x100m Relay team home in 39.47 with a massive burst of energy down the final stretch that beat tough opposition from the Czech Republic and The Netherlands.
World Triple Jump Champion Nelson Évora proved his jumping versatility with his 7.88m Long Jump that beat former World medallist Tommi Evila of Finland (7.86m) and took the Portuguese men three points ahead of the Czech team at the end of the first day of competition
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Portugal's Francis Obikwelu winning the 100m in
front of his home crowd
Photos by Erik van Leeuwen
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Obikwelu and Évora were sure fire hits with the Portuguese crowds, but Czech Tomás Janku's first attempt Olympic qualification standard 2.30m High Jump was an unexpected thrill. The Czech second place position was bolstered by Ondrej Danek's 400m Hurdles win (50.18) and Michal Sneberger fast 1,500 m (3:43.15).
Osaka discus medallist Rutger Smith did not let down the Dutch team, winning the Shot Put with a 20.50m throw - the best men's Shot Put result from all the European Cup events.
The Dutch men also boasted a lifetime best performance from Patrick Van Luijk who finished second in the 100m (10.25) helping the nation to enter Day two of competition in third place.
Finally Kevin Borlee scored the 400m win for Belgium in difficult wind (46.84), Belarusian throwing master Aleksandr Vashchylo took the full eight points for his 76.10m Hammer throw, and Austrian distance star Gunther Weidlinger dominated the 5,000m before speeding up in the last 100m to claim his win in 14:18.73.
Click here for full results
With thanks to Elisabete Costa
from the Portuguese Federation
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