Lavillenie has yet to jump. The Frenchman is taking it easy while everyone else around him sweats and strains.

Britain's Lewis succeeded at 5.40m, but has just failed to clear 5.60m on his first attempt. Greece's Konstandinos Filippidis currently tops the leaderboard, clearing 5.60m on his first attempt.

The men's pole vault final began some time ago and it is a loaded field. Is there a hotter favourite than Olympic champion and new world record holder Renauld Lavillenie? As long as he remains fully clothed - unlike his compatriot Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad - he should secure a third European title.

But let's not forget about Commonwealth champion Steve Lewis, although the 28-year-old is likely to have to surpass his season's best of 5.70m if he is to win a medal this afternoon.

Some of you might have been surprised the Brits got the baton around safely in their men's 4x100m heat, but the team themselves weren't.

After reaching Sunday's final in 38.26 secs, Richard Kilty - who ran the second leg - said: "We have all got faith in each other to get the baton around safely. If we run as we can, we should run a fast time in the final and we can get gold."

Roland Meijer:, external I've got my fingers crossed for Jo Pavey... Can she make it 2? And I'm Dutch... #InspiredByJo

Alan C Smith:, external Never thought I'd say this...I'm enjoying this mascot...must be a decathlete under there..

A handsome win for Germany. There was a sizeable gap between them and the rest when Lucas Jakubczyk was handed the baton for the last leg.

And it's a season's best 38.15 sec for the Germans, while France (38.55) were second and Italy (38.71). The fastest losers? Portugal and Poland.

A fist-pumping celebration from the pink-shirted Lord Seb Coe as he watched Britain's men win their heat. In the BBC Sport studio, Adam Gemili reveals that the sprint relay squad will learn of the line-up for Sunday's final this evening. A nervous few hours ahead for the sprinters.

Adam Gemili seems pleased with life as he is interviewed on the BBC One. Asked about yesterday's gold-medal winning run in the 200m, he says - with some understatement: "The race went all right really, it wasn't too bad!"

The 20-year-old admitted his 19.98 seconds run in wet conditions and into a headwind of 1.6 metres per second surprised him. "I thought I was backing off quite a bit really so the time was quicker than I expected. My coach told me to save something for the final and that's what I did."

Steve Cram
BBC athletics commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"The British 4x100m men's team are running for places. It will be interesting to know what the changes will be for the final. The relay is about getting the balance right for the four, not necessarily having the best man. Maybe Adam Gemili could come in on the final leg."

If you're looking for drama and tales of relay woe then you won't find it here because Britain are safely through to Sunday's final, qualifying in 38.26 secs.

But it's Switzerland who are celebrating wildly because their men have broken the national record, recording 38.54 secs.

Joining Britain and Switzerland in the finals will be the Netherlands (38.90).

Britain's quartet consists of James Ellington, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Richard Kilty and Danny Talbot so Chinjindu Ujah will not be making his European Championships debut today.

Ujah, of course, became the fifth Briton to break the 10-second barrier when he clocked 9.96sec earlier this summer.

Only three countries from the first heat have dipped under 39 seconds - Britain, Ukraine and the Netherlands.

Talking of sprint relays, it's time to cross fingers and toes - and perhaps stroke a lucky charm too - because Britain's male sprinters are on the track for the 4x100m relay.

The men's sprint relay team have been more consistent this season, but getting the baton around successfully has been a problem for the Brits in major championships as they have failed to do so in six of the last seven. Will they flounder again today?

Image source, Daily Express

The Premier League season kicks off today, but even that has not prevented Adam Gemili muscling his way onto the backpages after his glorious 200m gold on a teeth-clenching cold night in Zurich.

The 20-year-old's performance, according to BBC Sport's Tom Fordyce, has confirmed his status as one of his sport's most exciting young talents.

Gemili is currently chatting to Gaby Logan and Denise Lewis and says he will run in Sunday's sprint relay final "if they want me in the team".

The big-arm big-legged hammer throwers have started waltzing in their circle, chucking for supremacy. There is no British interest in this final, but it is a field oozing class with Olympic and defending European champion Krisztian Pars and world champion Pawel Fajdek vying for gold.

It is Poland's Fajdek who has set the early standard, throwing 78.48m on his second attempt. Pars is currently second, though, with a 78.11m throw.

Steve Cram
BBC athletics commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"That run by the 4x100m French team will have given the British team something to think about. It was a very good run by the French. The British team did well in their heat. The second handover could have been a little better but that is the third ever fastest time by a British women's 4x100m quartet."

Ukraine produced a season's best 43.37 sec to cross the line in second, while the Russians qualified in third. Surprisingly, Germany - who had a season's best 42.74 secs coming into these championships - did not finish.

By the way, the fastest loser spots have been awarded to Italy and Sweden.

The baton is safely round and Britain's quartet of Asha Philip, Ashleigh Nelson, Anyika Onuora and Desiree Henry easily win their heat in 42.62 secs, which is the third fastest time by a British women's sprint relay team.

A dodgy exchange between Nelson and Onuora but not enough to cause palpitations.

Image source, Getty Images

France step on the gas and Stella Akakpo guides her team home, clocking 42.29 secs. Netherlands (42.77) are some distance behind in second with Switzerland (42.98) third. An impressive performance by France.

Batons ready? Good because the first action of the day on the track is the qualifying rounds of the women's 4x100m relay. The Netherlands, the quickest team in Europe this year and with double sprint champion Daphne Schippers in their line-up, will dash around in the first heat from lane eight. Britain are in the second heat and should ease through to the final.

The first three in each heat and the two fastest losers will qualify for Sunday's final.

There are many ways to keep across this afternoon's coverage. Hurrah! In fact, all your needs are catered for on this page because as well as reading this live text commentary (highly recommended), you can watch Gabby Logan and co via the 'Live Coverage' tab.

If you'd like to relive Adam Gemili's 200m victory or Jodie Williams's 200m silver, why not browse our 'Highlights' tab. Oh, and coverage has also begun on BBC One.

The minimalists among you might be glad to hear that this afternoon's athletics has been trimmed into a short but sweet three hours. Here are some of the day's highlights (all times BST):

14:10 - 4x100m relay (women's qualifying rounds)

14:35 - 4x100m relay (men's qualifying rounds)

15:05 - 800m women's final

15:40 - Women's triple jump final

15:45 - Women's discus final

16:19 - Women's 400m hurdles final

16:35 - Women's 5000m final