Chambers leads as GB finish third

Dwain Chambers emerged as the Team GB top point-scorer at the inaugural European Team Championships in Leiria.

Chambers - adding to his 100 metre success in the opening session - and Andy Turner were the only individual champions on the second day's action, with the men's 4x400m relay quartet lifting the team into bronze medal position when winning the last event of the day.

After Saturday's victory Chambers gave his rivals a taste of the same medicine when stepping in for the injured Rikki Fifton and winning at a canter over 200m.

His second maximum points scoring success, in which he outclassed France's Martial Mbandjock and Alex Kosenkow of Poland, has now made the reformed drug cheat hungry to chase a double at the World Championships in August.

The 31-year-old European indoor 60m champion again showed why he is the continent's unchallenged number one, making a cautious start but then breaking clear with 50m remaining, before slowing when approaching the finish line.

"It's good be a team player but I'm definitely smashed," said Chambers who stretched out on his back and rested after competing on an afternoon where the temperature was in the mid-30s.

The 31-year-old added: "The 200m is not my specialist event and I didn't know what I could do against these guys.

"I am very tired, the weather is very hot but I have to do this in order to become stronger and faster.

"This was about getting points for the team. I thought go for it and not to lose."

Chambers, who until the arrival of UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee in February found himself an unwanted member of the British team, took inspiration from his win and is now planning to double at the world championships in August.

Revealing his intentions for the first time, he said:

"I will try my best at the 100m and 200m in Berlin."

Van Commenee, acknowledging Chambers' contribution, added: "Given his status and the opposition it is not a surprise that he won but then I'm very happy he agreed to substitute at the last minute."

Marlon Devonish, who was the expected replacement but was not 100 per cent fit, added: "I'm appreciative."

Andy Turner scored the team's only other individual victory where the lead in the closing stages constantly fluctuated before Germany won ahead of Russia - with both proving more dominant in the field events.

Turner, stripped of his lottery funding last November, remains totally loyal to representing his country, although an injury almost precluded his appearance in Portugal.

"This time last week I couldn't stand up straight," said Turner. "I wasn't sure whether I would be here until two or three days ago.

"I'm just happy to be here and take care of the business."

The Commonwealth and European bronze medallist, who won in 13.42sec, is adamant he will continue his career and compete at the 2012 London Olympics.

He explained: "I don't care about the matter anymore, it's been going on for so long.

Obviously it's frustrating not to be on funding and the fact I haven't got access to the physios and all that kind of stuff."

The 28-year-old, who is easily the best high hurdler in Europe this summer, added; "But it's something I want to do for myself.

"I don't care about proving them (UKA) wrong and if I get back on funding so be it, if I don't I'm just going to get on doing what I want to do.

"Of course it is very difficult but I'm fortunate to have found a sponsor who is helping me financially. Without his help I wouldn't really be doing what I am right now."

"I don't have guidelines to reach, I just set my own guidelines."

Olympic 400m champion Chrissy Ohuruogu and triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu were only other Brits to achieve an individual podium finish.

Idowu looked set to avenge the defeat at the hands of Nelson Evora who beat him for the for the gold medal in Beijing, but in a very close contest, lost by nine centimetres to the Portuguese - who came from behind with a clearance of 17.59m.

Ohuruogu, stepping down to the 200m, finished third behind Russia's Yuliya Gushchina and Marta Jeschke of Poland, who clocked 23.01sec and 23.34sec.

The team captain, who later had to pull out of the 4x400m feeling unwell - the quartet finished third - said: "I don't know what it is but I'm not at my best.

"I have to be careful as I have another 400m race this week."

Van Commenee said: "Coming to the competition you want to win. But finishing third is acceptable.

"Obviously we had some weak events -

I knew that in advance. But there were some positives for me, so overall I would say it was an acceptable performance."