Kaja Ziomek-Nogal of Poland secured the European title in the 500 meters speed skating event with a decisive victory, clocking a time of 37.79 seconds in Tomaszów. She was the only skater to finish under 38 seconds.
According to NOS, the silver medal went to fellow Pole Andzelika Wojcik, while Dutch skater Isabel Grevelt earned the bronze with a time of 38.37 seconds. Anna Boersma, who will compete in the 500 meters at the upcoming Olympic Games, finished sixth. Angel Daleman suffered a fall during her race but completed the distance, finishing fifteenth and last.
Ragne Wiklund of Norway claimed victory in the 1500 meters, clocking 1:56.24, just ahead of Czech skater Nikola Zdráhalova, who finished with 1:56.53. Dutch athlete Chloé Hoogendoorn recorded a time of 1:57.64, securing the bronze medal. Wiklund had already won the 3000 meters on the previous day, strengthening her position as one of the top competitors at the event.
Grevelt expressed satisfaction with her bronze medal, describing it as a positive outcome following her fall in the team sprint event earlier in the competition. This was the 23-year-old’s first medal at the European Championships. Though she had competed in A-group 1000 meter World Cup races this season, she was previously competing in the B-group for the 500 meters.
Ziomek-Nogal’s start was briefly delayed after Daleman’s fall affected the timing system, but she remained focused and delivered a strong performance to claim her first international title. Many top speed skaters were absent from the European Championships, as most Dutch Olympic athletes opted for a training camp instead, with Boersma being the only Dutch participant present. Despite entering the event as a potential medal contender due to the absence of top-ranked skaters, Boersma finished sixth with a time of 38.57 seconds.
Daleman had aimed for a medal after missing Olympic qualification, but her race ended prematurely due to the fall. In the 1500 meters, Wiklund faced stiff competition from Zdráhalova, who had a fast start, but managed to hold on for the win despite some mistakes near the finish line. Hoogendoorn, 21, earned her first senior international individual medal, having previously won World Cup gold in a mixed relay event last November in Calgary.
