Preview: European Athletics Indoor Championships – Men’s Events

Wednesday, 05 March 2025

The 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships (March 6-9) at Omnisport Apeldoorn promises to deliver high-intensity competition, with some of the continent’s best athletes vying for gold. Headlining the men’s events are Olympic champions Jakob Ingebrigtsen (1500m, 3000m) and Miltiadis Tentoglou (long jump), along with six world seasonal leaders: Ingebrigtsen (1500m, 3:29.63), Oleh Doroshchuk (high jump, 2.32m), Mattia Furlani (long jump, 8.37m), Max Hess (triple jump, 17.41m), and Sander Skotheim (heptathlon, 6484 points). With fierce rivalries, rising stars, and established champions all set to clash, this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet.

60 Metres

The men’s 60m is wide open, with several contenders in contention for the podium. Spain’s Abel Jordan, who recently won the national title in 6.54, faces a strong challenge from Henrik Larsson of Sweden, who aims to improve on his European indoor bronze from two years ago. Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu and Romell Glave bring significant pedigree, while Germany’s Robin Ganter and Kevin Kranz add depth to the field. Defending champion Samuele Ceccarelli from Italy will attempt to retain his crown, though he faces stiff competition from his countryman Stephen Baffour.

400 Metres

Hungarian record-holder Attila Molnar enters as the top contender, coming off dominant performances in Belgrade and Ostrava. Spain’s Inaki Canal and Italy’s Luca Sito are strong challengers, with Sito having broken his country’s national record outdoors. Poland’s Maksymilan Szwed, as well as Dutch runners Isaia Klein Ikkink and Eugene Omalla, will look to capitalize on home crowd support.

800 Metres

Belgium’s Elliot Crestan is one of the top favorites, boasting multiple international medals and a strong seasonal record. Italian record-holder Catalin Tecuceanu and Spanish star Elvin Canales will also be in the mix, alongside Mariano Garcia, the 2022 world indoor champion. Other key names include Ireland’s Mark English and France’s Yanis Meziane.

1500 Metres

Olympic 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen headlines this event, aiming for his third consecutive 1500m-3000m double at the European Indoors. Azzedine Habz, Portugal’s Isaac Nader, and Sweden’s Samuel Pihlstrom will all be vying for a medal, while Great Britain’s Elliot Giles and Neil Gourley also pose a threat.

3000 Metres

Ingebrigtsen also leads the charge in the 3000m, looking for his fourth consecutive title. His strongest challengers include the Netherlands’ Niels Laros, who recently broke the national indoor record, and Great Britain’s George Mills. Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran and France’s Azzedine Habz are also expected to be in the mix.

60 Metres Hurdles

Poland’s Jakub Szymanski has been in sensational form this winter, breaking the national record twice. Swiss defending champion Jason Joseph, Spain’s Enrique Llopis, and Italy’s Lorenzo Simonelli—fresh off a world indoor silver—will ensure this remains a thrilling contest.

Long Jump

The much-anticipated showdown between Mattia Furlani and Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou is one of the championship’s highlights. Furlani leads the world rankings, having finally beaten Tentoglou for the first time this season. Sweden’s Thobias Montler, a perennial European indoor silver medallist, will also be in the hunt.

Triple Jump

Germany’s Max Hess leads the field with a world-leading 17.41m, while Italy’s Andy Diaz Hernandez and Andrea Dallavalle provide formidable competition. Diaz, an Olympic bronze medallist, and Dallavalle, a European silver medallist, have both posted impressive performances this season.

High Jump

Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk leads the European rankings with a 2.32m clearance and will be the man to beat. However, Israel’s Yonathan Kapitolnik, Czechia’s Jan Stefela, and Italy’s Matteo Sioli could mount a serious challenge.

Pole Vault

Greek sensation Emmanouil Karalis, fresh off national records of 6.01m and 6.02m, is a leading favorite. French veteran Renaud Lavillenie, seeking his fifth European indoor title, and Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, who matched his national record of 5.90m, are strong contenders. Defending champion Sondre Guttormsen will also be looking to retain his title.

Shot Put

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri is in dominant form after winning the European outdoor title last year and setting a world-leading 21.95m this season. He faces a strong challenge from compatriot Zane Weir, Poland’s Konrad Bukowiecki, and Czechia’s Tomas Stanek.

Heptathlon

Norway’s Sander Skotheim broke the European indoor record this season and is the gold medal favorite. Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer, the reigning world indoor champion, and Estonia’s Johannes Erm, the European outdoor champion, will ensure a competitive battle.

4x400 Relay

The Netherlands and Spain emerge as the favorites in the relay, with the hosts featuring a strong squad including Olympic champions Eugene Omalla and Isaia Klein Ikkink. Defending champions Belgium, as well as Great Britain and France, will also be in contention.

As the competition unfolds in Apeldoorn, all eyes will be on the track and field stars aiming to etch their names into European indoor history.