It will be two Swedes in the EM final on 3,000 meters hurdles – Vidar Johansson and Emil Blomberg.
Additionally, Lisa Lilja advanced to the semifinal on 400 meters – without knowing it.
Johansson was doing well throughout his qualifying heat and finished fourth, going off the pace as he crossed the finish line. Blomberg advanced in the latter part of the race and finished seventh.
On the other hand, Simon Sundström is eliminated. He was close but finished ninth in his heat and thus missed the final spot by one place and 13 hundredths. With 100 meters to go, he was top-8, but failed to maintain his speed all the way to the finish.
All three Swedish athletes are making their EM debut. The EM final in Rome takes place on Monday.
Even 400-meter runner Lisa Lilja advanced. She had the sixth-best time in her qualifying heat, a personal best time of 52.18, and the tenth time overall.
The news that she had qualified for the semifinal was given to her by André Pops in SVT's live broadcast.
Immediately after the race, there was a doping control for the 27-year-old.
The semifinals will be decided on Sunday.
Javelin thrower Ragnar Carlsson misses the final. He threw 72.53 in qualifying, five meters from his personal record, and came in 19th overall.
