Greece has returned to the Super League of the European Track & Field Teams Championship after finishing second in the 12-team First Division meeting that took place at Iraklio on Crete over the weekend.

Greece’s men and women collected a total of 327 points to finish only behind the Czech Republic, with 351 points. The top three of the First Division advanced to the Super League, with the Netherlands finishing third with 299.5 points.

The event also marked the end of the illustrious career of hurdler Periklis Iakovakis, who run not only the 400-meter hurdles but also in the 4x400m relay for Greece.

The Greek won seven events, with the most impressive arguably being Costas Filippidis who cleared 5.80 meters – his best this season – in the men’s pole vault on Sunday.

The moment after the end of the 4x400m relay when the Greek athletes grabbed each other by the shoulder and danced around the center circle at the Pankritio Stadium was one of the most memorable for the Greek sport in years.

Source: Kathimerini