Barbora Spotakova celebrates her Javelin win in Prague (© Hasse Sjogren)
The Rosicky stadium, site of the 1978 European Championships, was again host to top level athletics, where the Belgian men's squad and women's team from Belarus are the leaders after the first day of the European Cup First League Group A match.
In nice summer weather local spectators were satisfied with seven wins by Czech athletes, with both host teams in second place after the first day. The suprise leaders after Day one on the men's side are Belgium, and as expected, the women's team from Belarus. The Belgian men tallied 62 points, four ahead of the Czechs, with Sweden third with 52 points. The women's battle for promotion is even closer, with Belarus (67 points) carrying a slight advantage into Day 2 ahead of the Czechs and Italians, who are tied with 62. But with the margins so narrow, Sunday's conclusion could provide a much different outcome. That holds especially true in the men's contest for Sweden, who, with Christian Olsson, Robert Kronberg and Alhaji Jeng competing, their stronger events are on tap on the final day,
Swedish high jumper Linus Thornblad well replaced olympic champion Stefan Holm, winning with a 2.27 leap before going out at 2.31. Moreover he beat the local favourite and co-world leader Svatoslav Ton. Another high level result was produced by Belorussian shot putter Pavel Lyzhyn who reached 20.48. Karel Blaha of Czech Republic bettered his season best to 46.04 to win the 400.
The same happened in the hurdles race at this distance as Michal Uhlik from Prague was the only runner to produce a sub-50 seconds clocking. "I had hoped for a personal best, but it was too hot," Blaha said.
In the close 1500 metre contest and typical tactical race Michal Sneberger scored a great win but the time was over four minutes. Belgium winners came in sprints --Erik Wijmeersch at 100m 10.36, the 4x100 relay team in 39.44 and Michael Velter in long jump with a 7.95 leap. But the team will have it tough to have the same position after the second day. Other wins were noted by Austrian steeple specialist Gunther Weidlinger in the 5000 and Dmitry Shako who succesfully represented the strong Belarussian Hammer Throw elite.
Women in general achieved better winning results. Belgian record holder Kim Gevaert won the 100 in 11.17, though it was assisted by a +2.2 m/s wind. Czech women collected four wins and all with quality results. Last year's European junior champion Zuzana Hejnova was the best at 400m Hurdles, producing a new national record of 55.83. Discus thrower Vera Cechlova-Pospisilova and pole vaulter Pavla Hamackova, both Helsinki bronze medallists, secured wins the 63.48 and 4.45 respectively. Javelin thrower Barbora Spotakova confirmed excellent shape with her 64.48 throw, the third best throw in the world this year.
Italy celebrated a pair of wins: at 3000 by Silvia Weissteiner (8:57.80) and in the Triple Jump by Magdelin Martinez (14.25). A Finish record was achieved by Johanna Lehtinen, who won the Steeplechase in 9:45.64. Belarus had only one win on the first day, but its overall depth was evident. Yuliana Zhalniruk took top honours in the 400 with her 51.53 win, pulling Ireland's Joanne Cudihy to a new career best of 51.63.
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By an IAAF correspondent
