The long-awaited European Championships in cross-country running, which was canceled last year due to the corona pandemic, will be decided on Sunday in Dublin, Ireland.

Each nation may start with a maximum of six participants per individual class.

The competitions are based on performances at the Terrain National Championships, Terrain Championships and international competitions, with an ambition to have a broad participation.

Sweden's national team captain Lorenzo Nesi has, among other things, chosen to send four ladies, which has not happened since 2009. The selected are: Meraf Bahta, Samrawit Mengsteab, Sara Christiansson and Charlotte Andersson.

- It feels good.

Everything has gone well with the training.

The body feels in good shape and it's just hanging on.

I would like to take a medal place in any case, says Bahta to SVT Sport.

Sweden with two previous golds

Bahta has been a frequent participant and took bronze in 2014. Over the years, Sweden has picked up ten medals, of which one gold, four silver and four bronze.

The last time a Swede combed home the noblest denomination was on the men's side when Robel Fsiha, who is currently banned from doping, ran into the best time in 2019. Sara Wedlund won gold in 1994.

This year's championship in Dublin is on grass, which means it could be a sticky course.

- I like to ride on grass.

It's going to rain and so on, but it's the same shit for everyone.

I'm ready, says Bahta.

The branches are as follows: 

Men 10km, Women and M22 8km, K22 and P19 6km, F19 4km.

Heavy names on the starting field

One of the favorites to win on the women's side is the four-time champion Yasemin Can.

The 24-year-old from Turkey has won in the last four editions of the European Terrain Championships.

Also included is the winner from 2013, Sophie Duarte, France.

Norwegian Karoline Bjerkeli Grövdal and Swedish Mengsteab, who finished second and third respectively, will not be excluded from the top battle.

Among the men, the Turk Aras Kaya, who won the last European Championship edition, is on the starting list.

He won the last European Championship edition.

The Olympic champion in the 1500 meters Jakob Ingebrigtsen has won the junior class four years in a row, but this year steps up as a senior and joins his big brother Filip.

SVT broadcasts the decision starting on 14.10.

Niklas Nord comments together with Eric Senorski as an expert.

In the fact box below you will find the complete Swedish squad.