Thunderstorms, rain and a veritable gale best describe the state of affairs at the Crvena Zvezda Stadium where the European Team Championship 2nd League opened today.
The Council Delegate, Ludmila Olijar opened the Championship. The Organization Committee president, Vladimir Lucic and Serbian Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport addressed the audience.
Due to unfavourable weather, competition was stopped twice. However, competitions in 19 events were brought to the close successfully. Javelin Throw (W), Triple Jump (W) and Pole Vault (W) were moved for tomorrow and for that reason the second day will start earlier, at 1pm.
Points were divided between the following contestants in the High Jump: Peter Horak (SVK) won with 2,18m, the second place went to Dimitriy Kroyter from Israel and Serbian athlete Jovan Vukicevic who both jumped 2,14m, while the third place went to Moldova and Latvia, with the same result. Although weather was exceptionally bad, several athletes managed to achieve outstanding results, like the athlete from Latvia Maris Urtans, who had the best result in Shot Put throw (M), with 21,63m. In Discus Throw (W), the Croat athlete Sandra Perkovic won with the result 63,42m. Equally good was the Slovakian athlete Jaroslav Dobrovodsky in the Long Jump with the result 7,85m, while his team colleague Libor Charfreitag managed to throw the Hammer 76,77m.
After the first day, and without results for the Pole Vault, Javelin Throw and Triple Jump for women, we have the following placements:
1 CRO 92
2 SUI 90
3 AUT 86
4 SVK 85
5 SRB 81,5
6 MDA 76.5
7 LAT 76.5
8 ISR 58.5
400m Hurdles (W)
The winner was Leva Zunda (LAT): “I was satisfied with the start of the race. Weather conditions were unfavorable, but it is something that affected us all. I expected to win. I am preparing for the finals of the European Championship. I would like to commend the championship organization and to wish luck to all the contestants.
400m Hurdles (M)
Milan Kotur (CRO) said:”This was my second race this season, since I have been recovering from injury. I consider the result I achieved today as adequate, considering weather conditions we were faced with”
Emir Bekric, with 52:66 sec broke his personal junior record: “I feel good. I am satisfied with my result because I have given my best.”
100m (M)
Ronalds Arajs won in today’s men’s 100m race: “I am ecstatic with the result, although I believe I can do better. I took me long to get to Serbia, I am tired – all that affected my time. Competition was stiff, especially the guy from Austria, Ryan Moseley. Serbia is a wonderful country. I competed in the 2004 Novi Sad Meeting, but this is the first time I am in Belgrade. I like it here.”
800m (W)
Marina Muncan who came in second said after the race: “The race was rather static. I expected to come in second or third. I didn’t give my all because I have the 1500m race tomorrow and I expect to win that one.”
The winner was Lucia Klokova from Slovakia.
1500m (M)
The winner of 1500m race was Goran Nava (SRB): “Everything is still undecided. I have another race tomorrow – 800m (M). That is why I didn’t give my best in this race. My tactics were of essence, I sprinted for the last 300m. I thank spectators for rooting for me, they were of great help. I have a more difficult task waiting for me tomorrow, because my chief competitor holds the same record time as myself. I had preparations in Zatibor. I had ideal conditions for work there. After tomorrow’s race I will start preparations for Barcelona.”
3000m Steeplechase (W)
Oxana Juravel from Moldova won in today’s steeplechase race. “I am satisfied with the race. I could have run better, but I consider this race as the try out for Barcelona.”
Ana Subotic (SRB) came in third. She said for the press: “I am very satisfied with my result. My coach advised me to keep my strength in the first part of the race, however, in the finish I couldn’t get near the first two runners. This is my third personal record breaking time this season and another medal for Serbia.”
400m (M)
Clemens Zeller (AUT) won today in 400m race. He said: “Conditions were not very favorable because the wind was too strong and I couldn’t give my best. However, I managed to come first and it makes me very happy. Organization of the event is excellent and people I came in contact with are very friendly. It is my second time in Belgrade. I ran last year at the Universiade in 400m race and won the silver medal.”
3000m (W)
Oliver Jevtic: “I am satisfied with my performance today considering the way I felt. I had trouble breathing and I thought the result would be much worse.”
Shot Put (M)
Asmir Kolasinac: “Even though I recently sustained an injury, I am very satisfied with the result, especially since I had two throws over 20 meters. This is my best throw in out-door competitions.”
