Rhys Williams (coach: Dan Pfaff) booked a place in tomorrow's 400m hurdles final at the European Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

The 2010 European silver medallist looked at ease as he won his semi-final in 49.63, putting in a strong finish to overcome all opposition.

Looking perfectly within range of a 49.5 time that would make his case for a place in the Olympic team, Rhys is now eyeying the title of European Champion.

"I just want to do my best, there's no point me being good in the heats and not doing well in the final, that wouldn't look very good," he said.

"I do not like coming second, every athlete wants to be the best, who wants to be second. I want to be a front runner.”

The morning session also saw Sally Peake (Scott Simpson) in action. Peake, at her first major Championship in a GB vest, bowed out in the qualifying round after clearing an height of 4.15m in the Pole Vault.

The Birchfield Harrier classified 10th, but looked at the positives from her performance.

“It was good that it was my first major championship but I would have hoped to have jumped a little bit better, hopefully I can take some things from it, learn from it and come back a  little bit stronger," she said.

“I learned in qualification anything can happen really. There are a few big names who maybe haven’t qualified for the final and so if you can get yourself in the mix there is a good chance for you, but it just didn’t seem to be my day today.”

The afternoon saw Gareth Warburton contest the semi-final of the 800m. Unfortunately, the North Wales athlete went out despite a brave battling performance, leading for more than 600m before finishing in 1:47.37 in what turned out to be the fastest semi-final of the event.

"Yesterday took it out of me, I didn't have it in the legs and everyone just came past me. I basically was pacemaker for everyone else, but I had to go for it, I needed the A standard again. I need to wait now to see what happens.”

Gareth will now wait until the final selection meeting to find out if he is to be included in the team for London 2012.