Britain's most successful European Championships comes to an end. The future promises much. "Never before has a GB team won more than nine golds or 19 medals in total, but they will leave Zurich with an overall tally of 23 after an afternoon of unparalleled success," writes BBC Sport's chief sports writer Tom Fordyce.

The credits have rolled which means it's time to end this live text commentary. Thanks, as always, for your contributions. Until next time...

Britain's Richard Kilty: , externalEuropean champions!! @Adam_Gemili @Jellington100m @HarryAA100m buzzing!!!

Image source, Twitter

Jodie Williams is currently standing on top of the podium, holding a bouquet of yellow sunflowers and sporting precious gold medal around her neck, but before the presentation ceremony Britain's male and female sprinters gathered for a celebratory picture. "Yaaaaass #goldrush" tweeted Jodie Williams. , external

David White, external: What a brilliant afternoon in Zurich, Team GB has done fab. Well done to all concerned - athletes and support staff.

Andrew, external: I too thought Greg Rutherford was a flash in the pan. He has proven himself in the Commonwealth and Euros. Well done.

William Rutherford, external: Hopefully athletics has been put back on the sporting map! Well done GB and NI.

Paul England, external: I swear Coolie the mascot has had more coverage than the majority of the athletes.

Greg Rutherford says he was relieved to win long-jump gold because there was so much pressure to perform well. "It is a real sense of relief because I was seeing how well the British team was doing and everybody was saying to me 'you have to go out and do it'. I was so pleased I could."

It's the second major gold medal for Rutherford in a matter of weeks after his success at the Commonwealths. "It has been great and quite a big year because I'm going to become a dad in a couple of months. In fact I hope (girlfriend) Susie hasn't gone into labour with the excitement."

Lynn 'the leap' Davies, the 1964 Olympic long jump champion, hangs the gold medal around Greg Rutherford's neck and those who didn't know the words to God Save the Queen before this afternoon must surely be able to recite the words after Britain's golden afternoon in Zurich.

We've just been treated to a Colin v Cooly hurdles showdown. There was music from Rocky, Chariots of Fire, udderly marvellous puns and a top class race over four hurdles.

Who won? I've you've not seen it I wouldn't want to spoil it. Take a peek of Colin Jackson's showdown with Cooly the cow.

It is little wonder British Athletics' performance director Neil Black looks content as he talks on BBC One. "We came here wanting to be competitive and we have converted in so many circumstances where people had genuine medal prospects.

"There is huge support from coaches doing brilliant work with athletes, the confidence ... it is unbelievable.

"Our athletes have converted it, smashed it, and we are all absolutely excited and chuffed to bits with it."

Image source, Getty Images

As if these Championships needed to get better, they did when the women won 4x400m relay gold in a new British record time.

Asha Philip, who led the team off, was delighted: "I'm so happy. We've been talking about the record for so long and wanted it so badly. I am so proud of these girls because we worked so hard for it. We deserve this, we fought for it."

Team-mate Jodie Williams added: "We've been looking for this national record this whole Championships. Everyone has been talking about how British sprinting has come on in the last year and I think we've proved that in the relays with the medals we've got."

Former world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene:, external Unbelievable Euro Champs for Great Britain. So many outstanding performances all week. Loved seeing my team mates and friends do so well

Image source, European-athletics.org

The sprinting, jumping and throwing is over and Britain will leave Zurich with 12 gold medals and the satisfaction of ending these championships as its most successful nation.

Dennis Edwards, external: Well done Team GB for topping the medals table. Fantastic effort all round.

Martyn Maynard, external: Watch Out World, our sprint relay teams are the business!

Josh Irwin, external: Incredible gold rush for Team GB there in the European Champs! Get in there!

The men's javelin final has finished and it's gold for Finland thanks to Antti Ruuskanen's 88.01m record. Czech Republic's Vesely Vitezslav (84.79m) was second and Finland's 2012 European champion Tero Pitkamaki (84.40m) was third.

Adam Gemili sums up the confidence among Briton's sprinters, winning gold in the men's 4x100m relay and telling BBC One: "It is fantastic to be part of this team and hopefully we can use this relay victory as a platform to compete with the Americans and the Jamaicans."

Relay team-mate Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is equally as buoyant: "This is a new generation of sprinters and what you are seeing is a whole group of athletes coming together and performing. It is about enjoying ourselves now, then moving forward knowing what we are capable of."

James Ellington, who ran the first leg, is a bit more succinct. "We smashed it," he beams.

Image source, Getty Images

Can you ever tire of seeing a British athlete on top of a podium? Nah. It's Mo Farah's turn to pick up his prize for winning the men's 5,000m and two levels below him on the podium is his team-mate Andy Vernon, the bronze medallist. Farah's smile is as broad as that of a first timer.

Winter Olympian Lizzy Yarnold:, external The outstanding performances by the GB & NI athletes keep on coming! A shouty afternoon in the living room

Former 100m world record holder Maurice Greene:, external This was a great first European Championships. Had a blast. Good job Zurich. See you next time.

Britain's female sprinters secure Britain's 12th gold medal of these championships, which is three better than the British team's previous best haul of nine golds. It's no wonder everyone in red, white and blue kits are celebrating like it's New Year's Eve (without the hard liquor, of course).

Steve Cram
BBC athletics commentator

"What a way to round off what have been a scintillating Championships - and one of the features has been these great young sprinters that Britain has."

Image source, Getty Images

France's Myriam Soumare took a big chunk out of Jodie Williams's lead but anchor Desiree Henry kept calm to cross the line in 42.24secs. France (42.45sec) take silver and Russia (43.22sec) go home with a bronze.

Richard Kilty embraces the female quartet as the men and women celebrate together.

Screams of delight from Desiree Henry on the finishing line after Britain's women bring these championships to a golden conclusion.