Danish club Sparta Atletik took the lion’s share of glory at the Clash of the Clubs III, the European Athletics DNA (Dynamic New Athletics) U20 Clubs tournament in Pombal, Portugal at the weekend (21-22). The Copenhagen based outfit accrued a total of 100 points across the 11 disciplines in Sunday’s (22) final.

Track flyers key to Danish success

It included individual wins and a maximum 12 points in three track events from Sophus Emil Ramsgaard Jensen stormed to victory in the men’s 200m in 21.84 (+1.1m/s), his sprints team-mate Amaya Kruse Jørgensen won the women’s 100m in 12.17 (+1.6m/s). And showing the club’s endurance talent, Lærke Thygesen took the women’s 800m in 2:14.88.

It put them in a commanding position of a six second advantage in The Hunt final, the medley relay discipline ahead of Great Britain’s Blackheath and Bromley Athletics Club. They made no mistake and were anchored by 800m runner William Thøgersen who brought home the bacon for the Danes.

Last year’s winners, Club Atletismo Playas de Castellón from Spain produced a storming finish to place second from Czechia club AK Skoda Plzen in third.

Lazio take B Final

Italy’s Team Lazio won the B Final. After amassing 102 points in 11 earlier disciplines, they held a six point and two second advantage over Germany’s TYG Eagles into The Hunt and pressed on to win.

But the Germans faded to fourth with Team North Norway grabbing second and Estonia’s SK Elite Sport grabbing third. The day earlier, the twelve participating clubs took part in the qualifiers to decide who would compete in Sunday’s A and B finals.

The innovative, fast paced back-to-back schedule puts every event in the spotlight and generates terrific team spirit among each club. This was the third year the event has been held, following previous editions in Rome (2023) and Castellon (2022).

At the event’s conclusion, participants from all teams celebrated the experience together, including some highly competitive dance offs.