Turkey edged Britain from top after 13 years

European Cross Country Championships staged to greatest ever Turkish success in Sardinian city Chia. The Star and Crescent Team grabbed six medals including two major event gold to became leading country ath the final standings.  Italian city Chia welcomed all European country runners for the 23rd edition of European XC Champs. The championship held in three age groups; seniors, U-23 and juniors. Turkey, one of the largest squads in the competition with 31 runners, produced their greatest ever Euro XC results while they broke Britain's 13-year long reign at the medal table since 2003. At the men's senior race, European steeplechase silver medalist Aras Kaya showed his ability on the dirt as he took the gold medal over team-mate Polat Kemboi Arıkan, former Euro XC winner. Meanwhile, this spectacular 1-2 finish not enough clinching to team trophy, because of British runners got back-to-back finish right after Turkish duo. Great Britain crowned as men's team champions with 28 points followed by Spain and Turkey. Even women's race dominated by Turkish runners. One of the fast-rising athletes in 2016, Yasemin Can added another gold to her medal tally after stunning track double at Amsterdam 2016. Superbly-talented Can, who turned 20 on race day, took power from the very beginning of the race while retained her position through the end. Meryem Akdağ accompanied to Yasemin for a while, but slips 10-second back in final lap. Can-Akdağ also helped their team to have senior women's team trophy with Ozlem Kaya (13rd), Sevilay Eytemiş (19th), Esma Aydemir (29th) and Sebahat Akpınar (64th). Remember, Sevilay and Euro Cup 10,000 metres winner Esma also took the Amsterdam podium in July with half marathon team bronze. Turkish team had some good results came in U-23 level but not enough to have medals. Euro U-23 steeplechase champion Tuğba Güvenç finished 11th position as she crossed the line 40-sec behind winner Sofia Ennaoui from Poland. In same race, 2014 European XC junior champ Emine Hatun Tuna not produced to her best while she come to finish as 23rd. Two youngsters, Ömer Oti and Pınar Demirtaş made a good impression on junior races. 2016 World High Schools XC champion Oti completed the 6-km race as 16th place while Demirtaş came 17th in the junior women's competition. Even so, soth of them have selected to European Team for Great Edinburgh XC in January. Text by Sevket F. Erbay - Photos by Ugur Kucuk for TAF