Yordanova teases Russians in 1,500m, favourites through in hurdles

By John Bagratuni Aug 11, 2006, 11:31 GMT

Gothenburg, Sweden - Daniela Yordanova of Bulgaria pipped the formidable Russian strike force in the women's 1,500 metres heats at the European championships on Friday but remains cautious when it comes to the final.

Yordanova, back in action for only three months after complicated knee surgery, topped the bill with 4 minutes 5.72 seconds into Sunday's deciding race.

The Russians were right on her heels. Season leader and world indoor champion Yuliya Chizhenko had 4:05.74. World indoor record holder Yelena Soboleva and Tatyana Tomashova, the defending champion and two-time world champion, were both timed on 4:05.81.

'I don't know how strong I am these days. I won the heat, because I wanted to try my finish,' said Yordanova, while Chizhenko spoke of a 'good and easy run.'

Fancied Latvian Stanislav Olijar led the 110m hurdles heats with 13.25 seconds, with French world champion Ladji Doucoure also into the semis with 13.65 seconds.

Doucoure wants to give the title back to France, which won 1986 from Stephane Caristan before now retired Briton Colin Jackson ruled the event with four straight titles 1990-2002.

Out to spoil the show is Swede Robert Kronberg, who said after his 13.52 run: 'I think that I can tease Doucoure and Oljars. In the next races I still see a lot of improvement in time for me.'

Olympic silver medallist Nadine Kleinert of Germany needed just one put of 18.75m to advance into Saturday's shot put final along with world champion Nadzeya Ostapchuk (17.90m) and fellow-Russian Olga Ryabinkina (18.45) also through.

Friday night could be the biggest day for hosts Sweden at the championships, with world champion Kajsa Bergqvist and Susanna Kallur top favourites in the high jump and 100m hurdles, respectively.

Kim Gevaert of Belgium looks to complete a sprint double by adding the 200m gold to her 100m success, and the men battle out the hammer throw and 3,000m steeplechase titles.

The decathlon is also to be completed, with Czech defending champion, 2004 Olympic champion and world record holder Roman Sebrle stretching his lead through seven events at lunchtime Friday with 6,137 points from Russian Aleksandr Pogorelov (5,983).