European Athletics Championships Tips: 13th August

There’s athletics betting interest aplenty on Thursday, 13th August, with the women’s 200 metres, men’s 800 metres, and several other medal events.

Women’s 200 Metres

It’s all about the Brits in the women’s 200 metres. Amy Hunt is the overwhelming favourite ahead of compatriot Dina Asher-Smith, with Success Eduan owning the third-quickest time among all Europeans this season.

Asher-Smith beat Hunt in London last month. Rhasidat Adeleke had the second-quickest time in the semis and will attract some betting interest as an outsider thanks to that performance.

There’s a very real chance of an all-British podium. We see Asher-Smith (9/2) as the only competitor with the speed to beat Hunt if she’s at her best.

Men’s 800 Metres

A championship record in the semifinal has cemented Mark English’s place as the betting favourite for the men’s 800 metres on Thursday. Despite sitting third in the rankings, English is the form man here, and posted the fastest European time of the year at London’s Olympic Stadium last month.

Max Burgin is the only competitor with a chance of beating English, according to the latest odds. Burgin was a long way off the pace in the semifinal, so it’s really hard to look past English as he chases a first European Championships gold.

Men’s Discus

The odds-on favourite, Mykolas Alekna guaranteed his spot in the final by qualifying with his first throw. Kristjan Čeh was the only other competitor to match that feat.

Steven Richter, who has the longest throw by a European in 2026, didn’t even qualify. Čeh and Alenka are the other two candidates to have broken the 72-metre mark this year, so it really feels like a question of whether Čeh can upset the odds.

We don’t mind the value on Čeh at 5/2 considering he was only 22 centimetres off Alenka’s distance in qualifying.

Women’s Pole Vault

Tina Šutej sat atop the European rankings heading to Birmingham, but the veteran failed to qualify for Thursday’s final. Marie Julie-Bonnin had the most routine path to the final, clearing 4.40 metres and 4.50 metres at the first attempt, and she’s looking to back up a World Indoor title from 2025.

A former European champion, Wilma Heltelä should be in the mix, though the Finn only placed 11th at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year. Angelica Moser represents decent value, too. The Swiss has cleared 4.80 this year and was the best-performing European in Monaco last month.

Women’s Triple Jump

Topping the qualifying standings, Italian phenom Erika Saraceni is the betting favourite for the triple jump final. Compatriot Dariya Derkach won silver at the European Indoor Championships three years ago and was the best-performing European in Monaco a few weeks ago.

Ilona Masson confirmed a final spot with her first qualifying jump and has the longest jump of any of the finalists this year. Ivana Španović is also expected to be in medal contention, but it’s likely to come down to Derkach and Masson as the biggest threats to Saraceni after her stellar performance in qualifying.