The second day of race walk at the European Athletics Championships begins with the women's race over the distance of 20km.
Covered sky with cooler temperature than 50km.
But something goes wrong and there are special checks of the firefighters on a hypothetical gas leak that meanwhile postponing the departure of women for at least 30 minutes: scheduled timetable 9:35, but things seem long gone.
Only one start is decided at 10:55 with the men !
It is certainly not the ideal solution with 58 athletes (30 women and 28 men) at the start on a 1km course. On the other hand, the exceptional unpredictable event involved a compromise choice.
20km women
The Nations represented by the possible maximum number of athletes (three) are only four: Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine.
With the exception of Germany which has three very young athletes (two born in 1997 and one born in 1998) the other three Nations have a trio that enjoys the advantages of the prediction.
To these are added Ana Cabechinha (POR), which however this year seems a bit off-key, but always able to be in good level when there is an opportunity, Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene (LTU) and Anezka Drahotova (CZE) who is reliving a season at a high level.
Russia is at the start only with Yana Smerdona (ANA) as Authorized Neutral Athlete.
- at 5km
Leading the group of the best, led by Anezka Drahotova (CZE) and immediately behind Antonella Palmisano (ITA) who pass in 22:09.
- from 5km to 10km
In the keadinng group forces the pace Zivile Vaiciukeviciute (LTU) that gains a few seconds.
Laura garcia-Caro (ESP), Maria Perez (ESP) and Eleonora Giorgi (ITA) are burdened by a red card.
At 10km in the lead Anezka Drahotova (CZE) in 48:25 followed by Antonella Palmisano (ITA) and Maria Perez (ESP) in 48:27.
Heater Lewis (GBR) and Yana Smerdova (ANA) has been disqualified
- from 10km to 15km
The situation at the head of the race has changed.
Maria Perez (ESP) reached Anezka Drahotova (CZE) and Antonella Palmisano (ITA).
The passages at 15km: Drahotova (1:05:33), Palmisano (1:05:36) and Perez (1:05:37).
- last 5km
Between 15km and 17km Maria Perez makes three laps in 4:12, 4:14 and 4:10. This is the key moment of the race.
At 18km the Spanish is in the lead in 1:18:13 with 12" on Anezka Drahotova (1:18:25) and 29" on Antonella Palmisano (1:18:42).
Maria Perez (ESP) continues with her brilliant pace (1:22:24 to 19km) and goes to deserved gold in 1:26:36, a new Championship record as well as a new personal best.
Second place for Anezka Drahotova (CZE) in 1:27:03 to seasonal best
Third place for Antonella Palmisano (ITA) in 1:27:30 she too at the seasonal best.
Fourth place for a brilliant Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene (LTUA) in 1:27:29 new national record of Lithuania, in front of the team-mate Zivile Vaiciukeviciute (LTU) in 1:28:07.
After 18km also Eleonora Giorgi (ITA) have been DQed.
20km men
The same Nations of the female race are fully represented (indeed, Spain ranks four athletes as Miguel Angel Lopez is present as the defending champion).
The presence of Vasily Mizinov (ANA) shuffles the cards for the predictions of the medals.
The names, in addition to Russina, are those of Tom Bosworth (GBR), of the trio of Spain Alvaro Martin, Diego Garcia and Miguel Angel Lopez, of the two athletes of Germany, Nils Brembach and Christopher Linke, of Massimo Stano (ITA), of Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) and Ivan Losev (UKR).
- at 5km
Leading a group of about 15 athletes, led by Massimo Stano (ITA) and Christopher Linke (GER) who pass in 20:42
- from 5km to 10km
Towards the sixth km the disqualification of the first athlete Callum Wilkinson (GBR), followed by Florin Alin Stribiu (ROU) and Salih Korkmaz (TUR).
At half race 15 athletes are in the leading pack led by Nils Brembach (GER) in 41:08.
- from 10km to 15km
At 15 km the leader of the race is Tom Bosworth (GBR) in 1:01:15. They follow him in four: Alvaro Martin (ESP), Diego Garcia (ESP), Vasily Mizinov (ANA) and Massimo Stano (ITA) 1:01:16
- last 5km
Toward the 16km forces the pace Alvaro Martin (ESP), Diego Garcia (ESP) and Vasily Mizinov (ANA) who earn a few meters on Massimo Stano (ITA).
The Germans are out of the game.
Just before the last lap Alvaro Martin (ESP) forced again and went to the bell (1:16:47) with an advantage over Garcia and Mizinov of 9" (1:16:56), while the Italian is fourth in 1:17:04.
Massimo Stano resists spaced another 8".
On the last lap it changes very little.
Alvaro Martin (ESP) forces again the pace and goes to win with the time of 1:20:42 (season best).
Diego Garcia (ESP) scores a few meters from Vasily Mizinov (ANA) and earns silver in 1:20:48.
The bronze goes to Mizinov (1:20:50) who has to defend him tight-lipped by the return of Massimo Stano (ITA) fourth in 1:20:51 (personal best).
Fifth place to Nils Brembach (GER) in 1:21:25 in front of Miguel Angel Lopez (ESP) in 1:21:27.
To the disqualified of the first hour are added two other athletes: Artur Brzozowski (POL) and Giorgio Rubino (ITA)