Hosts Slovenia are set to lead the charge for promotion when they welcome Europe’s emerging athletics nations to Maribor for the 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 2nd Division on 28–29 June.
While the top-tier First Division is being staged in Madrid as part of the broader European Athletics Championships, the Second Division will unfold in Maribor. It will give Slovenia both the honour and the opportunity to make history on home soil.
Promotion is a realistic and motivating objective for the Slovenian squad. They came heartbreakingly close to reaching the top division two years ago. At the 2023 edition in Silesia, they missed out on the final promotion spot. This was just by half a point, despite a stirring victory in the mixed 4x400m relay, the last event of the competition.
Now, bolstered by home advantage and a full-strength team, Slovenia is aiming to seal its first-ever promotion to the top flight.
Čeh and Šutej To lead Slovenia
The team will be spearheaded by joint captains Kristjan Čeh and Tina Šutej. Čeh, the reigning European discus champion, set a championship record of 69.94m in Silesia. That was the best mark across all three divisions.
His 2025 season has been nothing short of dominant. He has surpassed 72 metres three times in one week. He recently defeated reigning world champion Daniel Ståhl with a 70.17m throw in Johvi, Estonia.
Šutej, a European indoor silver medallist in the pole vault, adds more firepower to the squad. The hosts will also be counting on 800m specialist Anita Horvat. Horvat is a European indoor bronze medallist.
Meanwhile, Klara Lukan will be a strong contender in the 5000m, having recently broken the national record with a time of 14:56.50.