Lukas Märtens threw his arms up and was visibly proud of his silver coup at the European Swimming Championships. While the Italian fans celebrated their champion Gregorio Paltrinieri with deafening cheers, Märtens was more than satisfied with second place in the 800m freestyle.
“I’m super happy,” said the 20-year-old, who brought the German team their second medal in the title fights in the picturesque open-air pool in Rome. With his time of 7:42.65 minutes, Märtens was only beaten by the outstanding Paltrinieri and beat his compatriot Lorenzo Galossi.
“You have to assert yourself in a field like this and I did that,” said Märtens. The atmosphere, reminiscent of a mixture of football and folk festival atmosphere, impressed him and aroused longing. “I can tell that all the spectators here are passionate about the Italians. Of course we also have a great team that supports us. But that’s nothing against it,” said Märtens. “I’m looking forward to having that in front of our own crowd.”
His girlfriend Isabel Gose shared his excitement in the stands. “I always have to be nervous for two people,” said the 20-year-old. “I can’t really look at it all the time because I’m so excited. I think I’m more excited with him than with me.” Before her partner’s race, in which Sven Schwarz finished fifth, Gose had qualified in 1:57.70 minutes as the second fastest of the semi-finals for the final over 200 meters freestyle. The day before she had won the first medal for the German team in Rome over 800 meters freestyle.
For Märtens it was the second precious metal in major international title fights. At the World Championships in Budapest in June, he finished second in the 400-meter freestyle. Florian Wellbrock’s training partner qualified for the final over 800 meters as the second fastest of the heats.
Wellbrock skipped the 800 meter race. The open water Olympic champion and world championship silver winner on this route decided not to start because he is not yet in top form after a corona infection in July. The 24-year-old wants to take part in the 1500 meter race on Monday. Märtens also fell ill with Covid-19 after the World Cup, but recovered better than Wellbrock.
In the evening session, the Romanian David Popovici and Paltrinieri provided the big international highlight. The 17-year-old beat the 100-meter freestyle final after 46.86 seconds, beating the 13-year-old world record held by Brazilian César Cielo by five hundredths of a second. Cielo had also set his record in the Foro Italico. The enthusiastic spectators celebrated Popovici with loud chants. “David, David,” shouted the fans.
When the Hungarian Viktória Mihályvári-Farkas won the final over 400 meters individual medley, Zoe Vogelmann shared seventh place. Nele Schulze, Angelina Koehler, Josephine Tesch and Chiara Klein finished eighth in the German 4×100 meter freestyle relay. Backstroke swimmer Johanna Roas was eliminated in the 50-meter semi-final.
For Märtens, the pre-run over 200 meters freestyle continues this Sunday morning. A medal celebration will therefore have to wait. “Rather then, there are still a few days left,” said Märtens about his party plans.
