Jukka Keskisalo of Finland was a surprise winner of the 3000 metre steeplechase.

José Luis Blanco was the hot favourite to take the gold but the Spaniard had no answer to Keskisalo's blistering charge through the last 150m which saw him cross the line first with a time of eight minutes 24.89 seconds.

Bouabdellah Tahri of France took the bronze while Sweden's Mustafa Mohamed failed to respond to the roars of the home crowd to finish outside the medal positions.

It was a slow tactical race and although Mohamed had led with two laps to go, Blanco struck for home at the bell only to see Keskisalo storm past for glory.