Twell mystified by disappointing Euro cross country showing

From Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat, in Dublin

 STEPH Twell's under-23 debut at the European Cross Country Championships ended in tears as the three-time junior gold medallist failed to reach the top ten in Dublin.

A STRUGGLE: Steph Twell admitted she didn't know what happened after her first appearance at under-23 level at European Cross Country Championships (Getty Images)

The 20-year-old has topped the podium in the her last three outings at the competition but, having made the step up to under-23 level this year, she crossed the line in 21.42 minutes - good enough for 11th place.

Twell, who was crowned world junior 1500m champion in 2008 before making her debut Olympic appearance as a teenager, kept early pace with eventual winner Sultan Haydar of Turkey, but fell away in the second half of the race.

Britain's Jessica Sparke clung on to take bronze, with silver going to Russia's Irina Sergeyeva of Russia, and while Team GB took team gold, with all six athletes finishing in the top 18, Twell could not hide her disappointment.

"I don't know what happened out there," she said. "I haven't had time to think about it yet but I just didn't feel myself at all.

"I have to forget about the disappointment but learn from today and move on but it's hard at the moment.

"Now I just want to have a good block of training over Christmas and come back stronger next year.

"And I definitely want to do the World Cross Country Championships [in Poland in March].  

"Looking to the track obviously there is the Europeans and possibly the Commonwealth Games for Scotland but I can't really think too far ahead without knowing qualifying times."

Meanwhile, Sparke admitted she was as surprised as anyone to reach the individual podium and is keeping her fingers crossed she remains injury free in the New Year.

"My aim was to try and achieve a medal but it still seems like a pleasant surprise to do it," she added.

"I really enjoyed the course - it seemed to have just the right amount of rises for me because often a lot of the courses are very flat.

"And the atmosphere here was great. It really seemed to go very quickly and I guess that is a good thing in cross-country.

"Now hopefully I can just stay injury free and reach the Worlds next year."

Twell was the highest finishing Brit at last year's World Cross Country Championships in Jordan, but had to make do with 38th place.