Spain secured bronze in the 4x100m mixed relay at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The team set a new national record and closed the event with eight medals. The result highlights Spain's growing strength in relay events.
Spain finished the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham with a strong performance, capturing bronze in the debut of the 4x100m mixed relay. The Spanish quartet—Guillem Crespí, Maribel Pérez, Andoni Calbano, and Jael Bestué—delivered a flawless baton exchange at Alexander Stadium, clocking 40.42 seconds to set a new national record. Only Great Britain and Germany finished ahead, while Spain outpaced Switzerland, Portugal, and several teams that failed to complete the race.
The result capped a successful championship for Spain, which ended with a total of eight medals. Earlier on the final day, the women's marathon team also secured bronze, adding to the country's tally. The mixed relay, introduced for the first time at a European championship, proved unpredictable, but the Spanish team showed composure and teamwork, overcoming previous relay mishaps in both men's and women's events.
In other finals, the Spanish women's 4x400m relay team could not reach the podium, despite a late surge from Blanca Hervás that moved the team up to fourth. The race was won by the Netherlands, with Great Britain and Italy taking silver and bronze. In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Daniel Arce led early but faded in the final lap, finishing just outside the medals. Alejandro Quijada achieved a personal best with sixth place, while Fátima Diame also took sixth in the long jump, narrowly missing her season's best. Yulenmis Aguilar placed ninth in the javelin, unable to advance after three attempts.
The pole vault final saw Sweden's Mondo Duplantis secure his fourth consecutive European title, clearing 6.15m without attempting a world record. Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis pushed him but ultimately settled for silver. The session concluded with Italy overtaking the host nation in the medal table after a dramatic win in the men's 4x400m relay, finishing the championships with 10 golds and 22 total medals. Spain ranked seventh overall, with two golds, two silvers, and four bronzes.
Spain's performance in Birmingham reflects a broader trend of improvement in athletics, particularly in team events. The introduction of the mixed relay added a new dimension to the competition, and Spain's ability to adapt quickly was evident. For further insight into Spain's achievements at these championships, including standout results in race walking, see the detailed coverage on Spanish athletes' record-breaking performances in Birmingham.
The European Athletics Championships serve as a key benchmark for national teams ahead of global competitions. Spain's medal haul and new records in Birmingham underline the country's growing depth and competitiveness in European athletics. The event also highlighted the unpredictability of relay races and the importance of teamwork and preparation at the highest level.
