BUDAPEST 2010: Roebuck heads into final unknown

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Budapest

JOE Roebuck is entering the unknown ahead of tonight's 200m medley final at the European Championships after admitting it was touch and go he'd qualify for the medal showdown in Budapest.

HIGH HOPES: Joe Roebuck advanced to the 200m medley final at the European Championships as the fifth fastest qualifier (onEdition)

The 25-year-old has made no bones about the fact that the European Championships are playing second fiddle to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

However, unwilling to let the opportunity pass him by in Budapest, Roebuck eased through the morning's heats as the ninth fastest after touching home in 2:01.03minutes. 

Roebuck than bettered that in the semi-finals, finishing his heat in second in 1:59.74minutes - good enough for fifth overall just over a second behind fastest qualifier Hungarian Laszlo Czech.

And with the Euro Championships not Roebuck's priority at present, he insists he will approach tonight's final with the same opportunist attitude that he did the heats and semi-finals. 

"In my first swim I didn't know what to expect. I just dived in and gave it my best and went in swinging," said Roebuck. 

"The Commonwealth Games is the focus for the year so I have rested a little bit for this, but not fully, so it puts me in a weird position. 

"And it was the same again last night, I didn't know what I was going to pull out so I just put my head down and went for the wall.

"I was really pleased and I took about another second off my time so if I can do that in the final then I'm in with a shout. I think a podium place isn't out of the question."

 The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming