Home heptathlete Anouk Vetter sent a roar of acclaim through the Olympic stadium with a huge personal best effort of 55.76m in the javelin that left her dancing in delight as it all but sealed gold with just the concluding 800m to go.

Germany might not be immediately synonymous with the steeplechase but after Antje Moldner-Schmidt’s victory in Zurich two years ago, the women’s title is likely to remain in German hands for at least another two years.

It was one of those priceless moments in sport when an athlete who thinks he has won silver is told he is, in fact, European champion.

On an evening of sensational drama at the 23rd European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam, Anita Wlodarczyk, Martyn Rooney, Libania Grenot and Sandra Perkovic all brilliantly retained their titles.

While the 23rd European Athletics Championships deliver a series of spectacular performances in the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium another, younger, sporting initiative has been taking place in the Dutch capital – the fifth European Athletics You...

Dafne Schippers duly delivered the home 100m victory that had been so fervently anticipated, leaving the mood on a high in the Olympic Stadium.