The 2026 European Swimming Championships are underway, and the men's 4x100 medley relay lineups for Day 7 of the preliminaries are set. Here's a breakdown of the teams and their strategies:
Italy
Italy is fielding a near-full strength team, with only Thomas Ceccon resting. Nicolo Martinenghi, who won the individual 50 and 100 breaststroke events, is a key member of the team. Carlos D'Ambrosio, the world junior champion in freestyle, is also part of the lineup. Michele Busa, a 51-mid swimmer on fly, could make way for Alberto Razzetti, who finished 9th in the 100 fly individually.
Great Britain
Great Britain is opting for a lineup that mirrors the final relay, with national record holder Ollie Morgan swimming backstroke despite not making the individual semi-finals. Jack Skerry is in the final, while Matt Ward beat Morgan in the heats, so he could be swimming for a finals spot. Filip Nowacki is on the breaststroke leg, and Adam Ramsay-Peaty is expected to join him unless he throws down a special performance.
Neutral Athletes B
Neutral Athletes B are led by Pavel Samusenko on the leadoff, with Georgey Iakovlev potentially swimming the final. Kliment Kolesnikov, who led off the mixed medley relay on Day 2, failed to make the individual semi-finals.
France
France is led by Mewen Tomac, who has been swimming 52.9 at this meet. They have a rookie back half in Amaury Albar and Cedric Gabali, who have looked solid so far. Spain is led by national record holder Luca Hoek Le Guenedal on the anchor and individual 50 back finalist Ivan Martinez Sota on the leadoff.
Germany
Germany has a strong team with top options on each leg. Cornelius Jahn leads off, Melvin Imoudu swims breaststroke, and national record holders Kaii Winkler and Joshua Salchow bring them home. Ireland has a dangerous front half with world junior champion Jon Shortt and individual finalist Jack Kelly, who swam an Irish 100 breast record of 58.90 in the individual semi-finals.
Greece
Greece uses 200 back silver medalist Apostolos Siskos on fly after winning bronze in the 200 fly last night. Apostolos Christou is rested, with Evangelos Makrygiannis on backstroke.
Heat 1
In Heat 1, Switzerland is led by Roman Mityukov, Gian-Luca Gartmann, Noe Ponti, and Balint Ashton. Neutral Athletes A are led by Artsiom Yarmak, Ilya Shymanovich, Ivan Shamshuryn, and Grigori Pekarski. Italy is led by Michele Lamberti, Nicolo Martinenghi, Michele Busa, and Carlos D'Ambrosio.
Heat 2
Heat 2 features Ukraine, Lithuania, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Germany, and Romania. Germany's team includes Cornelius Jahn, Melvin Imoudu, Kaii Winkler, and Joshua Salchow. Romania's team includes Denis-Laurean Popescu, Matei-Cristian State, Vlad-Stefan Mihalache, and Patrick-Sebastian Dinu.
Heat 3
In Heat 3, Spain is led by Ivan Martinez Sota, Nil Cadevall Micolau, Isak Fernandez Rodrigo, and Luca Hoek Le Guenedal. France is led by Mewen Tomac, Carl Aitkaci, Amaury Albar, and Cedric Gabali. Great Britain is led by Oliver Morgan, Filip Nowacki, Edward Mildred, and Alexander Cohoon.
Conclusion
The preliminaries are a crucial step in the relay events, and the teams are strategizing to secure their spots in the finals. The competition is intense, and the swimmers are pushing their limits to make their mark on the championship.
