Ingebrigtsen-inspired Norway conquer Europe on day two at Emirates Arena

Norway announced itself as a major player on the European scene
on a balmy evening at the Emirates Arena in which golden boys Jakob Ingebritsen and Karsten Warholm roared to double glory in the space of just 30 minutes.

Without a podium topper in 50 years at the European Indoor Championships, it was somewhat fitting that the new poster boy of middle-distance running, 18-year-old Ingebrigtsen, was the man to end the Scandinavian nation’s drought. 

The hugely gifted teenager, used to rewriting the script as evidenced by a sensational breakout at last year’s European outdoors in Berlin, put in a perfectly-timed kick on the final lap to romp home almost a second ahead of Chris O’Hare, in a time of 7:56.15. 

And it was very much a family affair as Jakob’s brother Henrik secured bronze in a dramatic conclusion that saw the older Ingebrigtsen dive over the line in search of a family one-two. 

Home favourite O’Hare and Henrik clocked exactly the same time on first glance, but following an anxious wait, the Emirates crowd roared its approval at the final verdict – a Scottish silver by the narrowest of margins. 

Henrik’s effort, however, did not go unnoticed. There will be disappointment with the way in which he was beaten to the post by O’Hare, but the high-risk manoeuvre at least drew approval from brother Jakob.

👑 SPRINT KINGS & QUEENS 👑

Women’s 60m

Swoboda 🥇
Schippers 🥈
Philip 🥉

Men’s 60m

Volko 🥇
Barnes 🥈
Van Gool 🥉 pic.twitter.com/DVLuD4DTWs

— Glasgow 2019 Athletics (@Glasgow2019) March 2, 2019

“It was a good race,” the recently crowned indoor champion said. “I was a little bit nervous going into a race with Henrik and all the other good athletes, but coming at the end and standing at the top of the podium it feels great. 

“It feels good to be able to compete with the rest. Indoor is pretty different; different tactics, it’s a different sport for us. It was pretty cool, the dive, thinking of all his injuries, his struggles, it’s good to see he’s diving like that.

“I’ll have to get some sleep and hopefully I’ll be ready for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to that.”

The two Ingebrigtsens were barely afforded time to come up for air before Warholm – a hurdler by trade but here appearing on the flat – dominated from start to finish to take the men’s 400m in a joint-championship record 45.05.

After such a long wait to break their duck, such irony was not lost on Warholm’s fellow Norwegians, with Jakob commenting: “You’re witnessing us conquering Europe.”

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👑 SPRINT KINGS & QUEENS 👑

Women's 60m

Swoboda 🥇
Schippers 🥈
Philip 🥉

Men's 60m

Volko 🥇
Barnes 🥈
Van Gool 🥉 pic.twitter.com/DVLuD4DTWs

— Glasgow 2019 Athletics (@Glasgow2019) March 2, 2019

For all the Scandinavian success, though, it is instead Poland who top the medal table after day two at Glasgow 2019. 

Their charge was spearheaded by the pole vaulter Pawel Wojciechowski and jet-heeled sprinter Ewa Swoboda, who powered to 60m victory in 7.09 to depose reigning champion Asha Philip of Great Britain.

In a high-quality field, Philip was forced to settle for third behind 2015 champion Dafne Schippers, with fellow Briton Kristal Awuah just missing out on a medal in a photo finish.

A riveting day of action ended with Slovakia’s Jan Volko taking the men’s race in 6.60 ahead of Zafer Barnes of Turkey; Belgrade champion Richard Kilty missing out on a medal altogether.