Norway's relay team eliminated from European Championships after semifinal exit

Norway's hopes for a medal in the women's 4x400m relay at the European Championships in Birmingham were dashed as the team failed to advance from the semifinals. The squad, which had posted the world's best time this season (3:20.96), struggled without their star sprinter Henriette Jæger.

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It is very disappointing. We knew that it was about small margins, and it just didn't happen.

Jæger was held out of the relay to rest for the individual 400m final, a decision that proved critical. The team, consisting of Josefine Tomine Eriksen Aks, Kaitesi Ertzgaard, Lakeri Ertzgaard, and Amalie Iuel, clocked a time of 3:27.71, placing them fourth in their heat. This was not enough to secure a spot in the final, either directly or as a lucky loser.

Amalie Iuel expressed her disappointment, calling the outcome "very disappointing." She noted that the margins were slim and that the team narrowly missed their goal. "It's poignant. I wish I could have run one last time with the girls in the final on Sunday. That would have been the icing on the cake," Iuel told NRK, adding that with more rest and Jæger, they could have achieved something significant.

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It's poignant. I wish I could have run one last time with the girls in the final on Sunday. That would have been the icing on the cake. Because I think we could have achieved something great with more rest and our rocket on the final leg (Henriette).

Despite the semifinal exit, Iuel reflected proudly on the team's achievements over the past few years, including their performance at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana. This marks the end of Iuel's championship career, leaving the team to navigate the future without her and Jæger, who also retires after the season. The team had previously qualified for the 2024 Olympics, a goal achieved through a dedicated project by the Norwegian Athletics Federation.

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But what the relay girls have achieved in recent years and at the World Relays in Botswana has been incredibly cool. I will always be very proud of this team.