P147 ORACLE 147 Sun 6 Aug ITV 0214:09 1/4 GATESHEAD Europa Cup final Men Kriss Akabusi gave Britain a flying start when he outfought the great Harald Schmid to win the opening event, the 400m hurdles. West German Schmid seemed set for his ninth Europa Cup title when he took an early lead but Akabusi, 30, came powering through the last two hurdles. "I didn't expect this. It is a great scalp," said Akabusi, whose 48.95s was the fastest time by a Briton this year. Tim Hutchings made up for the absence of Eamonn Martin in the 10,000m, coming second behind Italy's Francisco Panjtta SHOULD DAVID GOWER BE SACKED? p129 Next Report In Brief Cricket TV GuideP147 ORACLE 147 Sun 6 Aug ITV 0255:32 2/4 O GATJSHEAD Europa Cup final Men Linford Christie became the first man to successfully defend his title in the 1p0m. Christie, running into a strong headwind, overcame a poor start to move into another gear over the last 40m and break the tape in 10.33 seconds. Steve Backley became the first Briton to win a major javelin title at world or European level with a throw of 82.92m scattering a top-class field. "I was lifted by the performances of Akabusi and Hutchings. This was the best win of mz life," said the 20-year- old policeman's son from Sidcup. >>>> Women's highlights 148 Tables 175 Next Report In Brief Cricket TV GuideP147 ORACLE 147 Sun 6 Aug ITV 0251:07 3/4 GATESHEAD Europa Cup final Men Dalton Grant became the first Briton to win a Europa Cup high jump title. No Briton had ever finished higher than sixth in the event before the Londoner beat Soviet Olympic bronze medallist Rudolf Povarnitszn on countback. Grant, who has consistently proved his world-class over the past two years, added a centimetre to his own national record bz clearing 2.32m. Stewart Faulkner led for four rounds in the long jump with a leap of 7.97m but eventually had to settle for third behind Vladimir Ratushkov of the USSR and Christian Thomas of West Germany. > Women's highlights 148 Tables 175 Next Report In Brief Cricket TV GuideP147 ORACLE 147 Sun 6 Aug ITV 0204:35 4/4 GATESHEAD Europa Cup final Men Great Britain's team, cheered on bz HRH The Princess Royal, capped a perfect first day of competition with a surprise victory in the 4x100m relay. Tony Jarrett, John Rjgis, Marcus Adam and Linford Christie produced three excellent baton changes to hold off the strong French quartet. Their winning time of 38.39 secs also set a new British all-comers record. Britain lead the event bz 11 points from the Soviet Union and are well on course for the top two finish that will give them a World Cup place for the first time. >>>>> Women's highlights 148 Tables 175 Next Report In Brief Cricket TV Guide