Disappointed Joe Brier Just Misses Out On Semi-Final Spot After ‘Brutal’ Euro 400m Heats In Torun

By Gareth James

Joe Brier just missed out on a spot in the 400m at the European Indoor Championships in Torun.

In a high-quality heat in Torun that included three-time world indoor and three-time European indoor champ Pavel Maslak of the Czech Republic, Brier clocked 47.08 secs to finish third in Poland.

But only the top two from each of the nine heats qualified for the semi-finals on Friday evening.

“I thought I’d get out hard but I just didn’t have the legs in the end. I’m a bit disappointed but it is what it is,” said Brier. “The race is done so I’ll head back to recover for the 4x400m relay on Sunday.

“I went out way too hard. Think I went through in 21.6. You live and you learn, it won’t happen again, it’s a big learning curve for me.”

Keep your head high @joebrier99 attacked the race & took it to one of the greatest indoor 400m runners of all time Pavel Maslak! You will learn so much from this experience & now time to refocus with the 4×400 boys! Awesome work @leethompss_ & @JDub_1 on Q #Torun2021 pic.twitter.com/RUvp5R9oYU

— Matt Elias (@mattelias400h) March 5, 2021

Maslak won the race in 46.88 secs with local runner Kajetan Duszynski second in 46.94.

On twitter, Brier’s coach Matt Elias, the former Wales and GB international, said the first round heats had been ‘brutal’.

The 21-year-old Cardiff Met ace still has the 4x400m relay this weekend where he will be joined by  Cardiff AC runner Owen Smith.

Piers Copeland will compete in the final of the 1500m on Friday evening while Swansea Harrier Verity Ockenden is also in action in the 3000m final.