Report: Day 1 of the European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division
The 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division got underway on Friday, June 26, in Madrid, Spain, with action unfolding in front of the stunning Royal Palace. Despite intense 36°C heat, the opening day delivered thrilling performances—particularly in the pole vault events, where Menno Vloon and Amalie Svabikova soared to victory for their respective nations.
Vloon and Svabikova Take Pole Vault Crowns on Day 1
European indoor champion Menno Vloon of the Netherlands claimed victory in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.80m on his second attempt. The dramatic setting in front of Madrid’s Royal Palace added grandeur to the event, as Vloon secured a maximum 16 points for his team and later made three unsuccessful attempts at 6.00m.
“It was a great place to jump in front of the palace. I am happy to make 16 points for the team—it’s a good start for the others,” said Vloon.
Poland’s Piotr Lisek, the national outdoor record holder, cleared 5.70m to finish second.
In Group B, Hungary’s Marton Bandor improved his personal best by 25 centimeters, clearing 5.70m and attempting 5.80m twice. Matej Scerba of Slovakia also set a PB with 5.70m, three centimeters higher than his previous best. Bandor and Scerba shared third place.
Emmanouil Karalis of Greece withdrew from the event during warm-up due to foot discomfort.
Svabikova Wins Women’s Pole Vault in Tight Contest
Amalie Svabikova of the Czech Republic, a European indoor bronze medallist in 2023, clinched the women’s pole vault title with a clearance of 4.65m, edging out Ukraine’s Maryna Kylypko on countback.
Svabikova needed two attempts at 4.30m, cleared 4.55m on her first try, and took two attempts to get over 4.65m. She later made one failed attempt at 4.70m and missed both attempts at 4.75m.
Kylypko cleared 4.30m and 4.45m on her first attempts but required all three tries to clear 4.55m, and two to get over 4.65m, before missing all three attempts at 4.70m.
Switzerland’s Angelica Moser, reigning European indoor and outdoor champion, finished third with 4.55m, cleared on her second attempt. Italy’s Elisa Molinarolo, a Tokyo Olympic finalist replacing the injured Roberta Bruni, placed fourth with 4.45m.
