European Championships, Budapest, Day 2, semi-finals:
Women 100m freestyle
The first semi saw Feemke Heemskerk (NED) crack out a 54.09 as the home crowd cheered wildly for the second swimmer home: Evelyn Verraszto (HUN) in 54.29. World 100m 'fly champion Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) took the second semi in 54.01 ahead of world silver medallist in the 100m free, Fran Halsall (GBR), on 54.16.
Women 100m breaststroke
Yulia Efimova (RUS) booked lane 4 for the final in 1:06.80, a championship record. Either side of her tomorrow will be Rikke Moeller Pedersen (DEN), on 1:07.49 and Joline Hoestman (SWE), on 1:07.85. All other qualifiers cracked 1:09, the cut 1:08.79.
Men 200m medley
Olympic silver medallist behind Michael Phelps (three times), Laszlo Cseh sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a 1:58.33 effort that took him into lane 4 for the final and was just 0.43sec shy of the championships record that he set in 2008 when winning the crown in Eindhoven. Either side of him tomorrow: Markus Rogan (AUT), on 1:59.17 and Gal Nevo (ISR), on 1:59.67. The cut: 2:00.89.
Men 200m freestyle
Paul Biedermann (GER) romped into lane 4 for the final in a determined 1:46.88, almost 5sec down his world record but 0.9sec ahead of his nearest challenger for the crown tomorrow, Daniil Izotov (RUS), with his teammate Nikita Lobintsev ensuring a Russian pincer for the German favourite in 1:47.85, 0.09sec ahead of Robbie Renwick (GBR). The cut: 1:48.92.
