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Pole Vault

Poland's Monika Pyrek put behind her almost 12 months of injury problems to retain her SPAR European Cup pole vault crown with a first time clearance at 4.65m.

Pyrek, in fact, won when she went over first time at 4.45m, the only one of four women attempting the height to go clear.

"I'm pleased because it shows I'm coming back to form after the foot injury I had last year. I had surgery in October and it has been a long road back. I think, in better conditions, I'll be over 4.80m soon," reflected Pyrek.

"I was helped by the fact that there was a small contingent of Polish supporters in the crowd and I think there were even some Germans shouting at me in Polish as there are many people in this country of Polish origin so that was a nice feeling."

Second was the 2005 European under-23 champion, the Ukraine's Nataliya Kushch, who was faultless up to and including 4.38m.

Russia's Yuliya Golubchinikova, a 4.60m performer this year and standing in for world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva, had her confidence knocked when she fell on the track after clearing 4.30m and failed at the next height to place only seventh.

Taking just two points from the event meant that Russia for the first time gave their rivals a glimmer of hope and only lead by six points from France.