A new national record in the 4×400 relay for Spain clocked 3:00.54, signaling a strong performance but not enough to secure a podium at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. The quartet pushed hard, delivering a relay that demonstrated depth and speed across the lanes, yet the final standings placed them just outside the medals in fourth, a position Spanish teams have achieved six times at these championships.
The men’s team, composed of Samuel García, Lucas Búa, Oscar Husillos, and Manuel Guijarro, advanced through the rounds with a semi-final time of 3:01.27, a result that ranked among the top eight all time for Spanish squads and suggested potential for a standout final. Husillos split the opening leg with notable speed, while Guijarro’s late surge in the anchor leg contributed to keeping Spain in the conversation among the strongest teams. The group carried confidence into the final, believing a podium finish was within reach given the season’s form and the competitive field at Munich.
In the lead up to the final, Iñaki Cañal joined the relay lineup alongside Búa, Husillos, and García in this order, forming the quartet that executed the plan with precise baton exchanges and collective resolve. Husillos again delivered crucial momentum in the middle phases, helping Spain to remain in contention as the field tightened. Although García did not run in the final post, his presence in the program helped anchor the squad’s strategic approach, and the team remained focused on placing among the top teams from England, Belgium, and France in a tight, high-stakes race.
the bowl is crowned
The women’s 4×400 relay team, featuring Eva Santidrián, Aauri Bokesa, Berta Segura, and Laura Hernández, reached the semi-finals in 3:27.76. In the final leg of the event, Sara Gallego stepped in for Hernández, delivering a strong performance that underscored the depth of Spain’s sprinting program. While the women’s squad showed fighting spirit, the semi-final clock did not translate into a podium finish in the final, as the quartet placed eighth overall in a field that showcased regional powerhouses pushing for medals.
Across the track, the Dutch team dominated the afternoon, with Femke Bol adding her third gold of the European Championships in events spanning the 400 hurdles and the 400 meters flat, confirming the Netherlands as a dominant force in European sprint relays. The results highlighted the level of competition and the tight margins that define relay events at major continental championships. Spain’s performances, characterized by technical precision and high-speed splits, contributed to a narrative of steady progress and continued competitiveness on the European stage, even as medals proved elusive in Munich.
These performances reflected a blend of growing depth and measured ambition from both the men’s and women’s relay squads. Coaches and athletes alike emphasized the importance of seamless baton exchanges, disciplined pacing, and the mental fortitude required to navigate a field packed with defending champions and rising stars. The results serve as a benchmark for Spain’s relay program going forward, illustrating where improvements can be made and where strengths can be leveraged in future international meetings.