Gose clocked 3:54.33 to take the title, lowering the previous European record of 3:54.52 set 12 years ago by Spain’s Mireia Belmonte García. The 23-year-old, who qualified more than three seconds ahead of the field, pulled away decisively at the halfway point before embracing defending champion Simona Quadarella at the finish.

“I was not expecting this result today,” Gose told European Aquatics. “This morning was really fast; I was really shocked. But I’m so proud that I have been able to swim a European record. I think that’s just a result of hard work.”

Quadarella finished second in 3:56.70, edging past Great Britain’s Freya Colbert, who earned bronze in 3:56.71. Germany’s Maya Werner placed fourth in 4:01.36, followed by Hungary’s Minna Abraham in 4:01.69.

McMillan Surges to Men’s 400m Freestyle Gold

In the men’s 400m freestyle, Olympic and world relay champion McMillan closed powerfully over the final 100 meters to win in 3:36.33. Germany’s world and Olympic champion Lukas Martens took silver in 3:36.51, with Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen earning bronze in 3:37.02.

“Coming into this I was in really good shape,” McMillan said. “But to actually do it on the stage, on the day, is very special.”

Asked about stepping forward as an individual performer, he added: “Yeah, totally. Obviously it’s great to be part of a team — that’s kind of why I transitioned to represent Great Britain. But now I want to find my own way and surge into a top-two spot for individuals, especially going into the worlds and Olympics.”

Reflecting on defeating two Olympic champions, McMillan said: “It feels pretty good. It just gives me more confidence — the training I am doing is clearly working, so that’s good to know at the start of this block heading toward the 2028 Olympic Games. I’ll be going to the Commonwealth Games next year.”

Germany’s 18-year-old Johannes Liebmann finished fourth in 3:37.39, setting a world junior record.

Host Nation Celebrates Relay Success

A packed Lublin crowd roared as Poland earned back-to-back relay medals to close the opening night. The women’s 4x50m freestyle team claimed bronze in 1:35.75 — just 0.01 ahead of Germany — with 33-year-old Katarzyna Wasick leading off 14 years after also helping Poland to bronze at their last home championships.

The Netherlands won gold in 1:33.85, followed by Italy in 1:34.30.

Moments later, Poland’s men surged to silver in 1:23.63 behind Italy’s 1:22.90. Croatia secured bronze in 1:23.79.

Records Fall in Sprint Butterfly Events

Switzerland’s Noe Ponti delivered one of the standout performances of the night, qualifying for the men’s 50m butterfly final in a championship-record 21.51 — just 0.19 off his own world short course record. France’s Maxime Grousset followed in 21.95.

Denmark’s Martine Damborg continued her strong form, improving her European junior women’s 50m butterfly record from 25.20 in the heats to 25.06 in the semifinals. She enters the final tied for the second-fastest seed with Germany’s Angelina Köhler. France’s Beryl Gastaldello leads qualifying in 25.00.

Strong Heats and Semifinal Performances Across Events

The Netherlands’ Caspar Corbeau posted a striking morning swim in the men’s 100m breaststroke heats with 55.54, just 0.26 off the world short course record. He returned in the semifinals with another strong effort of 55.77.

Estonia’s defending champion Eneli Jefimova led women’s 100m breaststroke qualifying in 1:03.28.

Ireland’s world junior champion John Shortt topped the men’s 200m backstroke qualifiers in 1:48.84, ahead of France’s Mewen Tomac (1:49.11). In the women’s 200m backstroke, France’s Pauline Mahieu led the field in 2:03.67, with Poland’s European champion Adela Piskorska advancing seventh in 2:05.85.

Schedule & Results

You can find the schedule of events and results from today and throughout the European Championships HERE.

Parting Video | Meet the Medals