The European Championships in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (POL) from 9-11 January provide Europe's elite skaters with their second last chance to test themselves in international competition before the Milano Cortina Olympic Games begin in February. 

While some athletes decided to skip the opportunity to race in Poland, others, like Peder Kongshaug (NOR), will defend their European titles. The home nation boasts top sprinters like Damian Zurek (pictured), Kaja Ziomek-Nogal and Andzelika Wójcik, and Olympic hosts Italy send a strong representation with Davide Ghiotto and Francesca Lollobrigida among their squad.

With the format alternating each year, the athletes will compete for single-distance titles in Tomaszów Mazowiecki a year after 2025’s European Sprint and Allround Championships in Heerenveen (NED). 

Poland's women the Friday night favorites 

Friday's action starts with the Men's Team Pursuit. Defending champions Norway, without the absent Sander Eitrem, take on Italy, who are at full strength. The Netherlands, who came second behind the United States in this season's World Cup, will not field their Olympic squad in Tomaszów Mazowiecki.

Poland are favorites to win the second event on the opening day, the women's Team Sprint. Two years ago Wójcik, Iga Wojtasik and Karolina Bosiek took silver behind the Netherlands. This time Poland's top sprinter Ziomek-Nogal is back in the squad, while Dutch skaters Femke Kok, Marrit Fledderus and Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong are absent.

Kaja Ziomek-Nogal, Andzelika Wójcik and Karolina Bosiek competing for Poland in the World Cup team sprint in Calgary in January 2025 © ISU 

In the men's 1000m, Tim Prins (NED) hopes to make a point after being left out of the Dutch Olympic team. The selection committee chose Marcel Bosker (NED) over Prins for Milan Cortina in order to solidify their Team Pursuit squad, despite the fact that Prins had qualified in the 1500m at the national trials in December.

In Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Zurek (POL), Mathias Vosté (BEL) and Marten Liiv (EST) are Prins' main rivals in absence of 2024 European champion Kjeld Nuis (NED), who did make it into the Dutch Olympic team.

Friday's action concludes with the women's 3000m. Long-distance World Cup leader Ragne Wiklund (NOR), Martina Sáblíková (CZE) and Lollobrigida (ITA) are the likely candidates for gold.

Tough long-distance battle on Saturday 

On Saturday, Ghiotto (ITA), home favorite Vladimir Semirunniy (POL) and Bart Swings (BEL) are looking to take the 5000m title which the absence of Patrick Roest (NED) has left up for grabs. The 2024 European champion is struggling to get back on top after an injury-hampered year, and he didn't manage to qualify for international races this season.

Bart Swings (BEL, front) and Davide Ghiotto (ITA, back) are the main rivals for home hero Vladimir Semirunniy in Saturday's 5000m © ISU 

In the women's 1500m, Wiklund is again the woman to beat, while in both the men's Team Sprint and the women's 500m, all eyes will be on the home nation. With anchor Zurek and the experienced Piotr Michalski Poland have a fast squad for the Team Sprint, while Ziomek-Nogal is a strong contender in the women's 500m. She faces tough competition in Anna Boersma (NED), however. The 24-year-old sprinter is the only skater from the Dutch Olympic selection to be present in Tomaszów Mazowiecki.

Hometown boy Zurek hopes for Super Sunday

Sunday starts with another chance for Zurek to take a title in his home town. Ranked second in the 500m World Cup standings, the Polish sprinter represents the best of Europe this season behind the unbeatable Jordan Stolz (USA). Bjørn Magnussen (NOR), number five in the World Cup rankings, is Zurek's main rival.

The women's 1000m is Dutch territory this season. In the absence of Kok, Fledderus and Jutta Leerdam, Isabel Grevelt is the Netherlands’ highest-ranked contender in Poland.

Isabel Grevelt will carry Dutch hopes in the 1000m in the absence of the Netherlands' Olympic team members © ISU 

The men's 1500m will be another chance for Prins to show his talent, while the women's Team Pursuit provides Germany with an excellent opportunity to seize the title.

Super Sunday concludes with the Mass Start races for men and women. In Bart Hoolwerf (NED) the Netherlands field another skater who is out for revenge after being left out of the Olympic team. He'll take on Andrea Giovannini (ITA), ranked second in the World Cup behind absent Olympian Jorrit Bergsma (NED). 

In the women's Mass Start, 34-year-old Italian Lollobrigida stands out as favorite in a field of youngsters.