Leiria, Portugal - A dramatic last event in the men's competition, the 4x400m Relay saw the disqualification of the Czech Republic, but they still took overall first place with a score of 106 points, the same as the Netherlands,  by virtue of more event victories.

In third place came Portugal, only one point less (105), with next in order Belgium 94, Finland 92, Belarus, 82, Austria 67.5 and Norway 63.5.

In the women's competition Spain was the strongest team, with several individual wins and second places, achieving 125 points, certainly to take them into the Spar European Team Championships Super League in 2009. In second place, the Czech Republic had 107 points, ahead of Belgium 91, Ireland 86, Portugal 84, Lithuania 80, Finland 78 and the Netherlands 77.

MEN

In the Triple Jump, Portugal’s World champion Nelson Évora opened with 16.55m which gave him the lead ahead of Belarussia's Dzmitry Platinitski (16.42). The Belarussian never improved, and Evora, after one foul, made 16.61 on his next, and improved on the last jump to 16.91m. The winds were swirling, “I could never could count on the wind. Some times the wind was on my back, other times on my front. But it seems to be good because I made a victory for Portugal,” said Évora.

The Netherlands' Rutger Smith made a magnificent throw of 66.33m in the Discus, the best ever on Portuguese soil. It was a great moment in Leiria Stadium. Finland’s Frantz Kruger was next best with 63.51m.

Another Dutch favourite Simon Vroemen, the European record holder won the 3000m Steeplechase in 8:24.64, ahead of Dieter Desmet (8:26.66) of Belgium. Finland’s European champion Jukka Keskisalo was a distant fourth in 8:37.07.

In one of the last events, the Olympic Javelin champion, Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway made a 83.16m throw, far ahead of Belarussian Uladzimir Kazlou (79.14)

In the 110m Hurdles, Czech Petr Svoboda flew to a 13.51 secs run, with the help of the wind (+2,3 m/s), while the Norwegian record holder Jaisuma Saidy Ndure, who won the World Athletics Final last summer, returned from injury to win the 200m in 20.57sec (wind m/s +1,2), ahead of Belgium Kristof Beyens (20.75).  Portugal’s European champion Francis Obikwelu who win the 100m yesterday did not run.

In the Pole Vault, the 2005 World champion Rens Bloom from the Netherlands, was only third with 5.55m, the same height as Czech Jan Kudlicka and Kevin Rans, who were ranked first and second respectively on count back at earlier heights.

WOMEN

The only victory which came to the hosts was that of World Indoor Long Jump champion, Naide Gomes, who reached 6.79m to win ahead of Spanish Concepcion Montaner (6.49). Gomes has faced some injury problems in her right foot this summer which has restricted her training sessions.

In Leiria, “the strong and always altering wind direction forced me to commit no risks. I jumped the most safely as I can to achieve the victory. I think I can jump 7.00m before the Olympics,” said Gomes.

Spain dominated the entire competition. Their AF Golden League Jackpot contender Josephine Onyia, 21, who is unbeaten in the 100m Hurdles since the end of May won in 12.73 sec (+1.5 m/s).

Another great Spanish win was in the High Jump, where national record holder Ruth Beitia, won with 1.97m and had three attempts at 2.00 but without success. In second place, Czech Iva Strakova made 1.91m.

Later, in the 5000m, after 11 laps in front, former Olympic, World and European 10,000m champion Fernanda Ribeiro (15:54.38) was passed by Spain’s Judith Plá (15:52.78). This was one moment of sadness for the home crowd who had been expecting a Ribeiro triumph. She said “I’m without speed, I couldn’t react after Plá’s attack.”

António Manuel Fernandes for the IAAF

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