2022 European Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2022 EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Thursday, August 11 – Wednesday, August 17, 2022 (pool swimming)
• Rome, Italy
• Parco Del Foro Italico
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 9:00 am local / 3:00 am ET
  • Finals: 6:00 pm local / 12:00 pm ET
• Meet Central
• Event Schedule
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream
• Day 4 Prelims Heat Sheet

DAY 4 PRELIMS HEAT SHEET

The 4th prelims session of the 2022 European Championships features heats of the men’s 200 free, women’s 100 fly, men’s 50 back, women’s 200 breast, men’s 4×100 free relay, and women’s 1500 free. Notably, finals of the women’s 1500 free will be held tomorrow (day 5) during the finals session.

Probably the most anticipated race of the day is the men’s 200 free. After 17-year-old Romanian star David Popovici broke the 13-year-old World Record in the men’s 100 free last night, all eyes will be on him in the 200 free today. Popovici won Gold at the World Championships in the 200 free earlier this summer. We shouldn’t really expect any fireworks in prelims this morning, however, it’s not out of the question that Popovici could take a run at yet another super suit era World Record. Coincidentally, the men’s 200 free World Record of 1:42.00 was also set at the 2009 World Championships, just as the 100 free World Record was.

Simona Quadarella will continue her efforts to sweep the women’s distance events, as she enters the women’s 1500 free today as the top seed by a wide margin. After her victory in the 800 free earlier in the meet, her odds of winning Gold in the 1500 free look good.

The women’s 100 fly doesn’t feature World Record holder Sarah Sjostrom, setting up what could be a very exciting race between France’s Marie Wattel and Sweden’s Louise Hansson for Gold.

After winning the men’s 50 fly earlier in the meet, Italy’s Thomas Ceccon, the World Record holder in the 100 back, will be eyeing Gold in the men’s 50 back. That journey starts this morning in prelims, where Ceccon is the #2 seed, behind Greece’s Apostolos Christou.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• European Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• European Championship Record: 1:44.79 – Martin Malyutin, RUS (2022)
• 2020 European Champion: Martin Malyutin, RUS – 1:44.79

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Kristof Milak (HUN) – 1:46.26
2. David Popovici (ROU) – 1:46.87
3. Hadrien Salvan (FRA) – 1:47.06
4. Marco De Tullio (ITA) – 1:47.07
5. Lukas Martens (GER) – 1:47.24
6. Stefano di Cola (ITA) – 1:47.49
7. Danas Rapsys (LTU) – 1:47.71
8. Antonio Djakovic (SUI) – 1:47.78
9. Felix Auboeck (AUT) – 1:47.97
10. Nandor Nemeth (HUN) – 1:48.04
11. Saso Boskan (SLO) – 1:48.08
12. Richard Marton (HUN) – 1:48.13 (X – country limit)
13. Poul Zellmann (GER) – 1:48.18  (Tie)
14. Dimitrios Markos (GRE) – 1:48.18 (Tie)
15. Luc Kroon (NED) – 1:48.29
16. Luis Dominguez (ESP) – 1:48.34
17. Filippo Megli (ITA) – 1:48.40 (X – country limit)
18. Lucas Henveaux (BEL) – 1:48.56

There were a number of no-shows in prelims of the men’s 200 free. Notably, heat 4 saw both Great Britain’s Jacob Whittle and Italy’s Lorenzo Galossi, who broke the World Junior Record in the men’s 800 free final last night, pull out of the race.

Hungarian star swimmer Kristof Milak wasted no time getting after it this morning, taking heat 4 in 1:46.26. After winning Silver in the men’s 100 free final last night in a new Hungarian Record, Milak was just 0.72 seconds off the national record this morning. He put together a well-split race, swimming 27.06, 27.89, and 27.36 respectively on each of the last 3 50s.

More no-shows were abound in heat 5, seeing both Great Britain swimmer, Tom Dean and Matt Richards, pull out of the race, as well as Estonian Kregor Zirk. Nonetheless, the German duo performed well in the heat, seeing men’s 800 free Silver medalist Lukas Martens win the heat in 1:47.24, touching nearly a second ahead of fellow countryman Poul Zelllmann.

3 more no-shows in the final heat this morning: Switzerland’s Nils Liess and Roman Mityukov, as well as Israel’s Daniel Namir have pulled out of the race this morning. 100 free champion and new World Record holder David Popovici out of Romania swam a relaxed looking race this morning, only seeming to have kicked it into gear at the end of the race in an effort to win the heat. He touched in 1:46.87, well off his lifetime best, but still good enough for the #2 going into semifinals tonight.

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• European Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• European Championships Record: 55.89 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• 2020 European Champion: Anna Ntountounaki, GRE/Marie Wattel, FRA – 57.37

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Louise Hansson (SWE) – 57.46
2. Marie Wattel (FRA) – 57.85
3. Lana Pudar (BIH) – 58.29
4. Elena Di Liddo (ITA) – 58.43
5. Ilaria Bianchi (ITA) – 58.46
6. Angelina Kohler (GER) – 58.47
7. Costanza Cocconcelli (ITA) – 58.89 (X – country limit) (Tie)
8. Keanna McInnes (GBR) – 58.89 (Tie)
9. Maaike de Waard (NED) – 58.89
10. Tessa Giele (NED) – 58.97
11. Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL) – 59.06
12. Helena Bach (DEN) – 59.15
13. Sara Junevik (SWE) – 59.30
14. Anna Ntountounaki (GRE) – 59.33
15. Maria Ugolkova (SUI) – 59.34
16. Dalma Sebestyen (HUN) – 59.39
17. Julia Ullmann (SUI) – 59.75

Sweden’s Louise Hansson established herself early in heat 3, getting out to a 26.78 on the first 50, which was roughly half a second faster than anyone else in the heat. She was still able to tack a 30.68 on coming home, putting her into the wall 1st in 57.46. 16-year-old Lana Pudar was next in, touching in 58.29 to safely qualify for semifinals.

Top-seeded Marie Wattel out of France was just off Hansson’s time in the next heat, swimming a 57.85. Like Hansson, Wattel was out fast, splitting 26.94 on the 1st 50.

Notably, Anna Ntountounaki, won shared the European title in this event last year with Wattel, nearly missed out on advancing to semifinals, swimming a 59.33 this morning. Ntountounaki clocked a 57.37 to tie with Wattel for 1st at last year’s Championships.

Italy had another strong showing in this event. Elena Di Liddo and Ilaria Bianchi advanced to semifinals, while Costanza Cocconcelli finished in a tie for 7th, but is ineligible to advance due to the 2-swimmer limit per country on semifinals and finals.

MEN’S 50 BACK – HEATS

• World Record: 23.71, Hunter Armstrong (USA) – 2022 U.S. International Team Trials
• European Record: 23.80, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2020 European Championships
• European Championships Record: 23.80, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2020 European Championships
• 2020 European Champion: Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 23.80

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 24.69
2. Apostolos Christou (GRE) – 24.72
3. Bjorn Seeliger (SWE) – 24.79
4. Ole Braunschweig (GER) – 24.81
5. Michele Lamberti (ITA) – 24.88
6. Yohann Ndoye Brouard (FRA) – 24.89
7. Simone Stefani (ITA) – 24.97 (X – country limit)
8. Tomasz Polewka (POL) – 25.04
9. Michael Leytrovskiy (ISR) – 25.05
10. Kacper Stokowski (POL) – 25.09
11. Lorenzo Mora (ITA) – 25.18 (X – country limit)
12. Juan Segura (ESP) – 25.24
13. Ksawery Masiuk (POL) – 25.27 (X – country limit)
14. Roman Mityukov (SUI) – 25.31
15. Shane Ryan (IRL) – 25.33
16. Andrei Anghel (ROU) – 25.37 (Tie)
17. Tomas Franta (CZE) – 25.37 (Tie)
18. Jonathon Marshall (GBR) – 25.42

Entered with no time, Ireland’s Shane Ryan tore to victory in the 1st heat this morning, swimming a 25.33. He would qualify for semifinals with the #15 time overall.

Italy had another phenomenal team performance in this event, seeing Thomas Ceccon lead the field this morning in 24.69. The World Record holder and World Champion in the 100 back, Ceccon came in just ahead of top-seeded Apostolos Christou (24.72).

Behind Ceccon, Italy also had a 24-point out of Michele Lamberti (24.88) and Simone Stefani (24.97). Due to the 2-swimmer per country cap, Stefano is unable to advance to semifinals. Italian Lorenzo Mora was 11th overall this morning (25.18), but won’t advance either.

After winning the men’s 200 back, France’s Yohann Ndoye Brouard was back in action this morning, swimming a 24.89 to finish 6th overall.

WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record: 2:18.95, Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA) — 2021 Olympics
• European Record: 2:19.11, Rikke Moeller Pedersen (DEN) — 2013 World Championships
• European Championship Record: 2:19.84, Rikke Moeller Pedersen (DEN) — 2014
• 2021 European Champion: Molly Renshaw (GBR), 2:21.34

Top 16 Qualifiers:

1. Lisa Mamie (SUI) – 2:24.12
2. Francesca Fangio (ITA) – 2:24.76
3. Martina Carraro (ITA) – 2:26.02
4. Thea Blomsterberg (DEN) – 2:26.22
5. Kotryna Teterevkova (LTU) – 2:26.56
6. Kristyna Horska (CZE) – 2:26.81
7. Mona McSharry (IRL) – 2:26.94
8. Tes Schouten (NED) – 2:27.11
9. Bente Fischer (GER) – 2:27.89
10. Clara Rybak-Andersen (DEN) – 2:28.02
11. Kara Hanlon (GBR) – 2:28.35
12. Sophie Hansson (SWE) – 2:28.47
13. Jessica Vall (ESP) – 2:28.83
14. Nikoleta Trnikova (SVK) – 2:28.84
15. Arianna Castiglioni (ITA) – 2:28.95 (X – country limit)
16. Ana Blazevic (CRO) – 2:28.96
17. Klara Thormalm (SWE) – 2:29.15

Coming in as the top seed, Switzerland’s Lisa Mamie led prelims this morning with a 2:24.12. Mamie put together a solid race this morning, swimming 32.95 on the 1st 50, then splitting 36.75, 37.20, and 37.22 the rest of the way.

Italy had yet another strong duo in this event, seeing Francesca Fangio post a 2:24.76 for the #2 overall time, and Martina Carraro a 2:26.02 for #3. Fangio was out pretty fast, splitting 1:09.24 on the opening 100.

This morning, some of the expected heavy hitters in this event, like Sweden’s Sophie Hansson and Spain’s Jessica Vall, were pretty far down the standings, Both made it back for semifinals, however, swimming 2:28s for 12th and 13th respectively.

MEN’S 4X100 FREESTYLE RELAY – HEATS

• World Record: 3:08.24, United States – 2008 Olympic Games
• European Record: 3:08.32, France – 2008 Olympic Games
• European Championship Record: 3:10.41, Russia – 2021
• 2020 European Champion: Russia, 3:10.41

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Hungary – 3:14.62
2. Italy – 3:15.00
3. Great Britain – 3:15.02
4. Spain – 3:15.24
5. Netherlands – 3:15.47
6. France – 3:16.13
7. Poland – 3:16.44
8. Ukraine – 3:16.51

Hungary led prelims this morning with solid performances across the board. Nendor Nemeth led the team off in 48.54, followed but Szebasztian Szabo in 48.54 as well, then Daniel Meszaros in 48.70, and Kristof Milak in 48.84. Their 3:14.62 marks the only time under 3:15 this morning.

Italy wasn’t using their fastest relay lineup, but still managed to post the #2 time overall at 3:15.00.

Spain broke their National Record with a 4th place finish at 3:15.24 this morning.

Notably, David Popovici led the Romanian relay off in 47.85, marking the fastest split in the field. It wasn’t enough, however, and Romania finished 11th overall in 3:17.94.

WOMEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE

• World Record: 15:20.48 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2018)
• European Record: 15:38.88 – Lotte Friis, DEN (2013)
• European Championships Record: 15:50.22, Boglarka Kapas (2016)
• 2020 European Champion: Simona Quadarella, ITA – 15:53.59

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Simona Quadarella (ITA) – 16:05.61
2. Viktoria Mihalyvari-Farkas (HUN) – 16:09.87
3. Tamila Holub (POR) – 16:24.03
4. Martina Caramignoli (ITA) – 16:24.84
5. Angela Martinez (ESP) – 16:25.19
6. Alisee Pisane (BEL) – 16:26.20
7. Diana Duraes (POR) – 16:29.03
8. Paula Otero (ESP) – 16:30.78

Unsurprisingly, Simona Quadarella led the field this morning, swimming a 16:05.61. It was a relzed looking morning swim for the defending champion in the event, coming just 2 days after she won Gold in the 800 free.

Hungarian 18-year-old Viktoraia Mihalyvari-Farkas continues to impress at these Championships, clocking a 16:09.87 for the 2nd fastest time of the morning by a wide margin. The swim came on the heels of her winning Gold in the 400 IM during last night’s finals session.

The #2 seed coming into the meet, Hungary’s Ajna Kesely, had a poor swim this morning, finishing in 16:44.16 to miss advancing to finals by a wide margin. The swim was nearly 50 seconds off Kesely’s personal best of 15:54.48, which she set at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju. Moreover, Kesely was 15:59.80 in the 1500 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last summer.

Also of note, Belgian 19-year-old Alisee Pisane broke the Belgian Record in the event this morning, finishing 6th overall with a 16:26.20.

This event marks the strongest showing we’ve seen in a women’s event out of both Spain and Portugal. Both countries qualified 2 swimmers for tomorrow night’s final.