2145: So that's it. Thank you for all your comments, banter, criticism and everything. A joyous few days. The human being in competition pushing itself to the limit is a beautiful thing. Ad-ad-ad-adios.
2140: Some dates for your diary.
6 August:Diamond League meeting, Stockholm.Usain Bolt and sprint rivals
Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell will meet for the first time this year in the 100m at the Diamond League in Sweden. It's
live on BBC 3 and the BBC Sport website (UK users only) and also on BBC Radio 5 live. Miss that and you're a bigger dognut than I am for saying GB won 18 medals. Date number two is the
Diamond League meeting at Crystal Palace on 13/14 August. BBC advert over.
2135: The sun slowly comes down on
Barcelona. A thoroughly enjoyable week of action. The next
European Champs are in Helsinki. They end on 1 July - just 26 days before the
2012 Olympics. It's getting closer folks. How many of the medallists in GB vests we saw this week will be clambering on to the podium in London I wonder? Any thoughts. I'm going to be sticking around on
606 and Twitter for the next hour if you want to carry on bouncing around your opinions, predictions, your moans or anything else you want to get off your chest. I'm here for you.
UFC MArk on 606: "A great week of athletics dished up by the GB team, culminating in an excellent medal count; utterly deserved by our fantastic sports men and women. Shame our overpaid, pampered footballers couldn't come close earlier in the summer in effort or performance. They're not fit to lace our athletes spikes."
failtosucceed on Twitter: CvC underpromised and Team GB overdelivered. Looking forward to Daegu 2011 and then the austerity games of London 2012 :-)!"
Anonymous, via text: "So the French won Le Crunch. Hats off to your athletes though, one medal ahead. Especially Mo and Ennis. Can't wait for Korea and London!"
2123: Charles Van Commenee summarises the Barcelona effort: "Overall, very encouraging for the next few years. Quite a few athletes stepped up a level. There is a lot of work to be done. We have too many athletes at home with injuries. That needs to be addressed. We don't have enough athletes across the events - especially the field events, especially the women."
The cool Dutchman seems to be a happy boy. 2119:Head coach Charles van Commenee: "I remind them what it takes to win. It's about accountability for success and failure and to learn from that. Sport should be fun, otherwise you wouldn't do it."
2109: Michael Johnson is disappointed with Bingham's efforts. "They were favourites and should not have been in fourth or fifth before the final leg," he says. Hold on. A quick scam of the medal table and I missed one. Donut award I thank you. GB win
19 medals in total. Six gold, seven silver, six bronze - sitting behind France in second spot. Russia sitting pretty at the top with 24 medals. Apologies.
2108: Russia take gold and Martyn Rooney surges past the Belgian to get silver for GB. High standards for these boys because they don't look happy. So that matches GB's haul in Split in 1990 - 18 medals.
2105: GB's Conrad Williams on opening leg. Watch out for Belgium's fliers. Michael Bingham (in sunglasses again) in second leg. GB struggling but he's battling hard weaving and bobbing at the back of the pack. Michael Johnson is getting very excited in the studio. Rob Tobin up next. Italy, Belgium and Poland top three so far. Rooney takes the baton...he's on the final leg..........
2104: OK then. Last event in Barcelona. GB need two medals to beat best-ever Euro medal haul from 20 years ago.
2102: The GB 400m girls are still talking and the coverage has to move back to the track. Shame because Shakes-Drayton was getting into full flow.
Men's 400m relay right now.... 2059: Keep your thoughts coming in. Happy with Barcelona? Your stars of the week? Lemaitre over-rated? Disappointed with Barni the mascot? Favourite Brit? Best moment? Talk to me.
Tweet me @bbcsport_mark, text me on
81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide) with ATHLETICS before your message, or join the banter on
606. 2056:Men's 4x400m relay coming up. Bingham, Rooney et al.
2055: Chris Tomlimson (long jump bronze medallist): "I'm pretty happy with that. I know there's a monster (jump) in me but unfortunately it wasn't in me. This is a springboard for 2012."
2053: Russia's winning time is 3:31.26. Surely a chat with the GB women? Let's see if Phil Jones can get hold of Shakes-Drayton. Her chat is worth a few Euros. Be patient.
2051: Russia are just a blur.
Sanders doing OK though. Sanders changes to
Marilyn Okoro in about fourth.
Lee McConnell picks up the baton and is chasing down the Germans.
Shakes-Drayton up next. The Russians have got this nailed. The long legs of
Perri Shakes-Drayton take off and aim to catch the Germans. Silver or bronze? Has she gone too early? Not enough for PSD. She screams, she grins. Smiles all round for the Brits with a bronze medal. Job done I think. Russia win though.
2046: Time for track action. It's the
women's 400m relay. Keep hold of that baton ladies. Nicola Sanders up first for GB.
geeceeree on Twitter: " Lemaitre has been ridiculously overrated this week. This is an extremely poor year for Euro sprints- the times were terrible."
No Bolt, no Gay. No lots of top runners. But I think he's been a breath of fresh air. I don't understand how anybody can criticise what he's done this week. And he's only been on this planet for 20 years for goodness sake. 2042:Sir Seb Coe strolls into the BBC studio and is another who has jumped on the pink garment bandwagon. His shirt that is - not his shoes, sadly.
2040: "That's a great performance," says Jonathan Edwards as Tomlinson runs out of steam in his final jump. He wins bronze with a best jump of 8.23m. German Christian Reif is "over zee moon". That's my quote by the way. He takes the gold after a stunning 8.47 with his third jump. 23 cm beyond silver medallist Gomis. Top effort from Christopher Tomlinson.
2037: Tomlinson's last jump....
2033: "Ooof" says Jonathan Edwards. France's Gomis only goes and leaps 8.24 to push Tomlinson into bronze place. One jump to go. That's tough on the Brit.
Women's HIGH JUMP - Vlasic wins with the only clearance of 2.03. Emma Green gets silver and Friedrich wins bronze. Vlasic is a whole bag of energy, attitude and is a stunning performer.
Tony on 606 suggests she looks like Lady Ga Ga. I gave it a 8/10 lookalike.
2031: The GB girls stroll up to Phil Jones and his mic. Dobriskey is not a happy bunny. Amazingly - in fact not amazingly, she's still smiling. Dobriskey says: "I wasn't good enough on the day. I wanted to go out and make my presence known but it didn't pay off. I tried my hardest."
2028: A tremendously strong finish from Fernandez. Not many expecting that one. Alminova in sixth. Steph Twell in seventh. Hannah England in 10th. Rodriguez brings a bronze home for Spain.
2026: Dobriskey gets boxed in and she's struggling at the back of the leading pack. And Dobriskey just misses out on a medal. "It's a big big shock," says Steve Cram. It's a Spanish gold. Fernandez comes through in 4:00.20. France's Hind takes silver. Dobriskey was in a great position with 300m to go but had too much to do.
2026: The bell clangs and Dobriskey and Alminova take the lead.
2025: Tomlinson still in second spot for long jump. Vlasic looking good in high jump. Whooof - Vlasic clears 2.03. That's put the pigeons among the cats. Back to the 1500m.
2023:Women's 1500m starts now. Dobriskey is another athlete who has opted for pink shoes. Remarkable.
2022: Friedrich fails at 2.03. It's down to the final three. Green and Vlasic next. Who's your Spanish Euros on for glory?
2018: Women's 1500m coming up. Has Dobriskey got a chance against Alminova?
2016: The high jump is getting steamier than a Spanish sauna. Is that hot? Well this competition is. Sweden's Emma Green clears 2.01 and then wallop - Friedrich clears the same height with her third effort and she goes bonkers. Is Emma Green the least Swedish-sounding name ever?
2015: Vlasic bounds up to the bar and clears 2.01. She is pumped. This comes moments after Friedrich fails at 2.01. The momentum has changed direction in this high jump competition. For now.
2013: Long jumper Chris Tomlinson looks up to the crowd and gets them clapping. Fourth jump. Plenty to do. It's 8.23. He's now into second place. Good effort.
2008: Women's 1500m final in 7 minutes. Lisa Dobriskey should be pushing for top spot - GB's Hannah England and Steph Twell also in action.
2007: This girl is all class. Big tattoo on her back. Bleached barnet. And pink spikes. Amazing. Germany's Friedrich flies over 1.99 first time and then up-steps Vlasic puts the pressure on with a first clearance. Is this the battle for gold-silver?
2003: It's a Turkey one-two in the women's 5,000m. But no double for Abeylegesse as Bekele streaks ahead off the final bend to see off her compatriot. Big surprise. Portugal get third and fourth with Moreira getting bronze. Winning time - 14:52.20.
2000: As the clocks strikes eight, Tomlinson pushed down to bronze place in the long jump. German Christian Reif leaps a massive 8.47m. That could be game over. Stunning effort. Bell in the 5,000m.
1959: Four laps to go in the
women's 5,000m. Turkish pair Abeylegesse and Bekele are forcing the pace. Leading group of four. Poland's Lidia Chojecka pulls out - she looks bushed. Portugal's Augusto looking good and pushing up through the gears. Two Turks still leading.
1954: Women's high jump getting a little tasty. German Ariane Friedrich is looking hot with a fine clearance at 1.97. Looking easy. Emma Green also goes over. Svetlana Shkolina and Blanka Vlasic make it on their second attempt. A shock on the cards?
1950: Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse sets off on her quest to win the long-distance double. Russian Mariya Konovalova strides out to the front. In the
high jump, Vlasic, who failed once at 1.95, knocks down the bar at 1.97. Lots of "ooohhhs" from the crowd. Even Jonathan Edwards gives an "ooh" there.
1946: As the
women's 5,000m runners get ready, a quick rundown on other finals going on. Poland's Piotr Malachowski leads the
discus with a 68.87m throw. German Robert Harting in second with 68.47m. The
women's high jumpers are on 1.95m. A few failures at 1.97m. Vlasic up in a bit. And in the men's
long jump, Italian defending champion Andrew Howe has moved into bronze position with a 8.12. Tomlinson still in second.
1938: Tomlinson pops up for his second jump. He's still in second spot. A big shrug of the shoulders and here we go.....big blue eyes, long blond locks. A 7.97 and he's panting like a marathon runner. He's got to hang on in here. Silver medal up for grabs.
1933: I recognise that girl. Ms Ennis takes to the stage and the queen of European multi-eventing athletics gives a big wave to the Barcelona crowd. Another golden necklace to add to the collection.
1927: One lap to go in the steeplechase. France's Bouabdallah Tahri and Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad have been running round together. Now the race is on. The pair fly through the water jump and it comes down to a late sprint in the final 50 metres and it's
Mekhissi-Benabbad who comes through with a fine late sprint. Gold-silver for France. Spain go mad as José Luis Blanco finishes with gritted teeth and a 'Robbie Fowler nose strap' for bronze.
1922: A quick round-up of other finals going on. In the
women's high jump, six ladies have cleared 1.92m. Plenty more in that one.
Tomlinson hits the runway for his opener in the long jump. A useful leap and it's 8.18m "Good start," says Jonathan Edwards. Just 2cm short of his top qualifying jump. Second longest so far behind France's Salim Sdiri.
1917: It's the men's
3,000m steeplechase final. France's Bouabdallah Tahri or Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad big favourites. No Brits involved. (that's for you
WM on 606). Bouabdallah Tahri has got a touch of the skinny Zinedine Zidanes about him. Spain's Blanco looks super fired up.
LorraineO24 on Twitter: "Berlino is a legend & don't think he will ever be bettered. All other mascots are just pale imitations now.
1910: The smile, the fluff on the chin is on the podium. MO - double European champion - FARAH hits the stage and collects his 5,000m gold medal. Brendan Foster passes Mo a huge compliment: "Mo came here as a good runner - he leaves as a great champion." Can't argue with that. A magnificent effort this week Mo.
1907: Oh shucks. Pronounced how it reads I guess. My French jig has been firmly curtailed. Back to the British bulldog breakdancing. Them pesky French athletes have leapt above GB in the medal table with that seventh gold. Hope for GB in the 4x400m relays coming up at the end of the night.
1903: And there's my boy. Yep - the mighty
Barni the mascot. Sadly he's been a little timid for my liking. I think he'll need to go on a crash course on how to be a mascot. Much to learn from Berlino the bear. Barni's been hugging and high-fiving. But he needs to raise the bar and start to carry some of those medal winners.
1859: The blond locks of
Chris Tomlinson sitting on the bench in the stadium and he's talking to himself - no doubt saying something like: "Right Chris. How about running very fast down the runway and jumping quite far and winning a medal." Perhaps. Long jump final gets going in 10 minutes. An impressive season's best 8.20m in qualification though so he's got half a chance of a necklace.
failtosucceed on Twitter: " Christophe a gagné une medaille pour chaque couleur du tricolor - Il est formidable, fantastic et un peu fou n'est-ce pas!"
failtosucceed may well be calling Christophe Lemaitre a stinky donkey but I'll stick my neck out and suggest he probably isn't. 1853: And the girls are off. Great start from the French. How do you reckon you'd do with the baton? Can't be that difficult can it? Wohhh - the Russians miss out.
Ukraine win GOLD and they are very, very happy. French limp home in second - they look gutted. Winning time is 42.29 and is the fastest time this year. Poland in third. Russians can only make fourth. "Great performance," says Colin Jackson.
1847:Women's 100m relay final in a few minutes. In the meantime, gold and silver 400m hurdles medallists
Dai Greene and Rhys Williams enter the BBC studios. Greene watches the men's 100m relay final and reveals afterwards that was the first race he has seen all week. Can't be easy. Williams - who had to settle finishing the final behind his mate and training partner - says: "Second is never easy to swallow - I hate it and I never want to get used to the feeling."
1842: Hey - we might be a
British corporation but I am more than happy to do a little French jig in celebration at the continuing rise of
Christophe Lemaitre.
Watch his phenomenal 100m victory earlier this week. His quiff, his doglead necklace are far from beautiful things. Even his running technique seems a little rough around the edges. But he's been sensational. That was his third golden necklace in Barcelona. Brilliant. And just 20 years of age as well. Any chance of toppling that man
Bolt in 2012?
1840: Women's 4x100m relay final coming up. Again no Brits.
1839: That is France's sixth sprint relay gold. "Very consistent," says Steve Cram. "They were just safe and relying on their leg speed. A strong victory," says Colin Jackson. That is
three GOLDS for Lemaitre in Barcelona.
1837: Lemaitre is in the second leg. Apologies. And boom boom boom. The Italians are denied. The French win the
men's 4x100m relay GOLD. 1836:"Thrills and spills" says Steve Cram. Let's wait and see. They're off.
1835: First action from the track. It's the
men's 4x100m final. That man Lemaitre in action. And remember - no Brits here. Lewis-Francis and Devonish did their baton juggling act yesterday and didn't make it to the final. That's all history now. I'll be surprised if Lemaitre's beautiful hair does not go flying first over the line.
1833: It's a magical misty multi-media world and there a million ways of consuming BBC content. Watch live on
BBC HD/ BBC Two and the
BBC Sport website (UK users only). There's live coverage on
BBC Radio 5 live and watch out for highlights of the big events on demand online (UK only).
Read about full coverage details. 1828: So plenty to reflect on. Still a few events to look ahead to. Don't fear talking about the state of British athletics. Fear nothing I say. Has Barcelona been a success for you?
Tweet me @bbcsport_mark, text me on
81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide) with ATHLETICS before your message, or join the banter on
606. 1824: Here's a quick rundown of what's in store for tonight:
Women's high jump - Blanka Vlasic strutting her stuff from 1830
Men's and women's 4x100m relay - Who can drop the baton? No Brits but always good entertainment. From 1835
Men's discus - No Brits - from 1845
Men's long jump - Chris Tomlinson has his work cut out to medal from 1845. Qualified well though.
Men's 3,000m steeplechase - no Brits but more French medals at 1915?
Women's 5,000m - Can Elvan Abeylegesse do the double at 1940?
Women's 1500m - GB trio Lisa Dobriskey, Steph Twell and Hannah England run at 2015
4x400m relay - GB have women's and men's teams involved. Can the Brits end the championships on a high? Races from 2040.
failtosucceed on Twitter: "Bootylicious Blanka to successfully fail at the highest height and to treat the watching audience to some new dance moves"
Isabre on 606: "Phillips Idowu and Jessica Ennis have had to face very much the same main rivals as they had last year in Berlin, or in view of the Worlds next year, Dai Greene is rounding into a major contender on the global stage and Mo Farah has narrowed the gap a great deal on the Africans this season. It's very important to have won back the likes of Christian Malcolm, Chris Thompson, MLF, Hattie Dean while people like Martyn Rooney, Michael Bingham and Mike Rimmer earned their first major medals. This can shape the platform that can set up substantial progress within the next year"
Bit of a debate raging about the worthiness of the Euro Champs. Have your say NOW. Try telling Ennis, Farah, Greene, Idowu and Turner these championships are worthless. 1811: One week ago, head coach
Charles van Commenee was wary of setting a GB target. "I'd be embarrassed if we don't at least make the UK Sport target of 10 to 15 medals," he said. Despite one or two wobbles this week - let's put aside baton buffoonery - it's been a cracker. 16 necklaces so far - six golds and second in the medal table. There's also been the resurrection of a number of careers -
Turner, Campbell. The further confirmation of greatness of
Ennis and Idowu. Rising stars
Farah and Greene. The future seems bright. Commenee also suggested a 'golden generation' was near. London 2012 is not far away. How golden are Britain's athletes right now? And why not give us your highlights of the week. Who's been your star of Barcelona?
1807: Don't worry. You're missing none of the Euro action.
Women's high jump from 1830. And not a Brit in sight - in action anyway - until 1910. 1805: Just waiting for the end of the golf and Barcelona's Olympic stadium will be gracing our screens once again.
1757: It's the last day. Barcelona is all set to say 'adios' to Europe's top athletes. What a bloomin week. A massive bulging bag of medals and memories for all those in GB vests. Still plenty of action awaits tonight though. More of that in a sec.
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