Becky Lyne claimed 800 metres bronze at the European Championships tonight in Gothenburg.

The 24-year-old former European Under-23 champion crossed the line in one minute 58.45 seconds, with a battling last 50 metres earning her a medal at the expense of some outstanding opponents.

Olga Kotlyarova won the race in a time of 1:57.38, ahead of fellow Russian Svetlana Klyuka (1:57.48).

Lyne would have been closer to the Russians entering the final straight, if she hadn't allowed herself to get surrounded by her rivals on the final bend.

Lyne said: "That was a dangerous situation for me in the last curve, because somehow I was boxed in lane one.

"But luckily in the last 100 metres, I managed to come out of this. Bronze medal that sounds really good.

"If someone had told me earlier in the season that I would have won a medal here, I would have told them they were crazy.

"And thanks to my strong sprint finish - I have always had a fast finish - I made it on the podium."