Hession sneaks through to Euro Final

Paul Hession has secured a place in his first major outdoor Championship final tonight, despite finishing fourth in his 200m semi-final at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium.

Hession was pipped by fast-finishing Frenchman Martial Mbandjock for the third and final automatic qualifying spot, but his time of 20.67 seconds saw him qualify as a fastest loser.

The Athenry speedster breathed a sigh of relief when the results of the second semi-final came through, with the fourth-placed Johan Wissman of Sweden running 20.77.

Hession's heat was won impressively by Norway's Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (20.50). British veteran Marlon Devonish, whom the Irish record holder has regularly beaten, claimed second in 20.55.

French starlet Christophe Lemaitre looks odds-on to complete a 100-200 double, having stormed home in 20.39 for a stylish semi-final victory. The 20-year-old is fast emerging as Europe's greatest sprinting talent for many years.

Hession, 27, will need to rediscover his best form for tomorrow evening's final (6.25pm Irish time), and it is almost certain that his medal hopes rest on him lowering his personal best of 20.30.

Speaking after the race, he said: "I was in a good frame of mind coming into it, although the rain didn't help. I did enough to get through, but know I can run much, much better.

"I've got 24 hours to recover (for the final) and if I can get in the mix in the bend and trust in my strength, who knows?"

It will be a huge night for Irish athletics tomorrow as Hession and David Gillick, who features in the 400m final at 8.25pm, race within two hours of each other.