Gold and silver – the first German double success at an indoor European Championships over 3000 meters made Hanna Klein and Konstanze Klosterhalfen look forward to the highlight of the year.
“I hope that I’m well prepared for the summer and that I can continue with this calmness and self-confidence,” said the surprise European champion Klein. The 29-year-old track and field athlete from Tübingen prevailed with an irresistible final round against the favorite Klosterhalfen.
The German record holder struggled with second place. “I showed a good race and will take that with me as motivation for the outdoor season,” Klosterhalfen told ARD. “It’s a step towards the outdoor season and that’s when it counts.” Klein ran “the perfect race”. The high point of the year is the Outdoor World Championships in Budapest in August. After last year’s disappointment at the World Cup in the USA and the exhilarating summer fairy tale at the European Championships in Munich, the title fights in Hungary a year before the Olympics in Paris are an important benchmark for the association.
Klein enjoys first big win
Klein enjoyed the national anthem in the hall but only once on Friday evening in Istanbul did she grab her first big win. In addition, there had never been a German double success in this discipline – neither with the victory of Brigitte Kraus in 1984 or that of Ines Bibernell-Obst two years later. While Klein was now celebrating as the winner after EM bronze over 1500 meters in the hall from 2021, Klosterhalfen recorded EM silver in the hall for the third time. “I think we’re on the right track,” said Klosterhalfen, who didn’t really like silver.
That was different for shot putter Sara Gambetta after her surprising second place. “I’ve always missed a medal like that. It’s really pushing me now,” said the 30-year-old from SV Halle/Saale. “I look forward to the summer.” This also applied to triple jumper Max Hess after triple jump bronze. “I’ll take my speed with me and can start the summer positively,” said the 26-year-old from Chemnitz.
