Athletics: Freeman springs surprise

Jun 23 2009 by Peter Barrow, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The Great Britain team, with seven individual successes, scored four more victories than winners Germany but had to settle for third place in the championships.

Weaknesses in the jumping and throwing events cost the British side as they lost their overnight one-point lead from the first day – something which has regularly happened in the European Cup.

Victories from Dwain Chambers, who added the 200m title to his 100m success, and Andy Turner in the 110m hurdles complemented other wins in the opening session from Tim Benjamin (400m), David Greene (400m hurdles) and Mo Farah (5,000m).

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee acknowledged the weaknesses in several of the field events.

“Obviously when we travel somewhere, the aim is to win but finishing third is acceptable” he said.