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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Farah storms to European success | Farah storms to European success |
| (1 day later) | |
| European 5,000m silver medallist Mo Farah became only the second Briton to lift the European cross-country men's title with a stunning win in Italy. | European 5,000m silver medallist Mo Farah became only the second Briton to lift the European cross-country men's title with a stunning win in Italy. |
| He hit the front just after the start of the final 1,920m circuit and blazed his way to victory in the 9,950m race. | He hit the front just after the start of the final 1,920m circuit and blazed his way to victory in the 9,950m race. |
| The 23-year-old won by seven seconds in 27mins 56secs from Portugal's Fernando Silva and Spaniard Juan de la Ossa. | The 23-year-old won by seven seconds in 27mins 56secs from Portugal's Fernando Silva and Spaniard Juan de la Ossa. |
| Farah led Britain to fourth place in the team event, with France taking the title from Portugal and Spain. | Farah led Britain to fourth place in the team event, with France taking the title from Portugal and Spain. |
| Interview: European cross-country champion Mo Farah | Interview: European cross-country champion Mo Farah |
| Farah is the first British winner of the event since Jon Brown triumphed in Charleroi in 1996. | Farah is the first British winner of the event since Jon Brown triumphed in Charleroi in 1996. |
| He was born in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, but came to live in the UK when he was 11 years old. | |
| "I felt confident but struggled a little at the start, they were all bunching so I just decided to sit in and wait," said Farah. | "I felt confident but struggled a little at the start, they were all bunching so I just decided to sit in and wait," said Farah. |
| "I've had to work hard for this goal and to achieve this and I spent a month preparing in South Africa." | "I've had to work hard for this goal and to achieve this and I spent a month preparing in South Africa." |
| Ukraine's Sergiy Lebid had won the title for the last five years but was never in contention at San Giorgio su Legnano, near Milan, fading badly to finish 12th. | Ukraine's Sergiy Lebid had won the title for the last five years but was never in contention at San Giorgio su Legnano, near Milan, fading badly to finish 12th. |
| Farah added: "At the bell Lebid didn't do anything, so I followed the other guys then found myself at the front. | Farah added: "At the bell Lebid didn't do anything, so I followed the other guys then found myself at the front. |
| "I thought 'You might as well just push now'." | "I thought 'You might as well just push now'." |
| Hayley Yelling, the 2004 champion, was the best British finisher in the women's race, coming home sixth in 25mins 28secs. | Hayley Yelling, the 2004 champion, was the best British finisher in the women's race, coming home sixth in 25mins 28secs. |
| Jo Pavey finished two places behind in 25mins 28secs, saying: "It was too hard for me, I shall have to toughen up." | Jo Pavey finished two places behind in 25mins 28secs, saying: "It was too hard for me, I shall have to toughen up." |
| Ukraine's Tatyana Golovchenko was first in 25:17, edging out Russia's Mariya Konovalova and Serbia's Olivera Jevtic. | Ukraine's Tatyana Golovchenko was first in 25:17, edging out Russia's Mariya Konovalova and Serbia's Olivera Jevtic. |
| Yelling said: "I gave it my best but it was just too hard for me - I shall have toughen up." | Yelling said: "I gave it my best but it was just too hard for me - I shall have toughen up." |
| There were some encouraging performances amongst the British juniors with Stephanie Twell, 17, winning the individual girls' title over 4,100m. | There were some encouraging performances amongst the British juniors with Stephanie Twell, 17, winning the individual girls' title over 4,100m. |
| Emily Pidgeon came fourth, Sian Edwards was sixth with Abby Westley 10th to ensure the team retained their title and scored a fifth in the event's history. | Emily Pidgeon came fourth, Sian Edwards was sixth with Abby Westley 10th to ensure the team retained their title and scored a fifth in the event's history. |