The final day of the 2025 European Short Course Championships is here, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion! But here’s where it gets controversial: with only four events left—two individual and two relays—the pressure is on, and every stroke counts. Will the favorites hold their ground, or will underdogs steal the spotlight? Let’s dive into the Day 6 Prelims and find out.
Event Details at a Glance
- Dates: December 2-7, 2025
- Location: Lublin, Poland
- Pool Type: SCM (25 meters)
- Essential Links:
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Live Recaps:
- Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
- Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
- Day 6 Prelims Heat Sheet
Event Schedule for Day 6:
1. Women’s 400 IM
2. Men’s 400 IM
3. Women’s 4×50 Medley Relay
4. Men’s 4×50 Medley Relay
Women’s 400 IM: A Race to Watch
Ireland’s Ellen Walshe is the undisputed favorite here, seeded nearly ten seconds ahead of the competition with a time of 4:22.97. She’s already made waves in Lublin, setting an Irish record in the 100 IM and clinching silver in the 200 IM. But here’s the twist: can she handle the pressure of being the heavy favorite? Katie Shanahan, fresh off a silver in the 200 back and 4th place in the 200 IM, could be a dark horse. Though seeded 7th, her 4:30.34 from two years ago suggests she’s capable of more—if she can avoid the ‘2 per nation’ rule that sidelined her last time.
Men’s 400 IM: Razzetti’s Reign?
Alberto Razzetti, the defending champion, is back with a top seed time of 3:58.83, just shy of his Championship record. But is he invincible? With Duncan Scott absent, all eyes are on Razzetti, though Apostolos Papastamos, the returning bronze medalist, could challenge him. And let’s not forget the rising stars like Jakub Bursa and Lucas Henveaux, who set national records this morning. Could we see a new champion crowned?
4×50 Medley Relays: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Italy and the Netherlands have dominated the relays so far, but can they maintain their streak? Poland, the hosts, have consistently placed in the top 4 and are expected to secure finals spots. However, with relay events, anything can happen—a single mistake or a breakout performance could shift the balance. Which team will rise to the occasion?
Women’s 400 IM Prelims: Spain Dominates, But at What Cost?
Spain swept the top three spots, but Paula Gonzalez Miralles missed the semi-finals by a mere 0.16 seconds. Her fast start wasn’t enough to overcome a slower breaststroke split. Ellen Walshe, though more than ten seconds off her entry time, still qualified 4th. Is she conserving energy for the final, or is there more to her strategy? Justina Kozan’s late surge nearly caught Walshe, proving that every second counts.
Men’s 400 IM Prelims: National Records Fall
Jakub Bursa and Lucas Henveaux shattered their national records to claim the top two spots. Are they the future of this event? Alberto Razzetti cruised to 4th, but with just 46 minutes between the 200 fly final and this event, can he maintain his dominance? Zalan Sarkany, who hacked eight seconds off his best time, continues his phenomenal meet. Will he add another medal to his collection?
Women’s 4×50 Medley Relay Prelims: A Battle of Precision
Germany and Sweden fought tooth and nail, with Germany edging out by a hundredth of a second. Marrit Steenbergen’s blistering backstroke leg for the Netherlands nearly broke records, but can they sustain this momentum in the final? Great Britain, just 0.36 seconds off their national record, are lurking. Who will claim the gold?
Men’s 4×50 Medley Relay Prelims: Germany Leads, But Italy Looms
Germany topped the prelims, but Italy, the world and European record holders, are close behind. Will they reclaim their throne? With teams like Czechia and Switzerland hot on their heels, is this the most competitive relay event of the championships?
Final Thoughts and Questions for You
As we head into the finals, the stage is set for some unforgettable moments. But here’s the big question: With so many records falling and underdogs rising, are we witnessing a changing of the guard in European swimming? And what do you think? Will the favorites hold on, or will new stars emerge? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your predictions and insights!
