Hodgkinson had the fastest time in the morning event on Tuesday, at 1:57.40. Werro was the second best with 1:57.83 and Broeders-Bol run at 1:59.96. Hodgkinson, current Olympic champion and winner of three European Championships in 2022 and 2024, and two more indoor, said that "the first round is always a bit tricky" and she has to step up in semifinals, but praised all her rivals. "Given the depth we have in the women's 800m I had to give 100%, which I have never done before in the heats", and added that "this championship title would feel like a world title, because of the girls I will be racing against." The semifinals of the 800m race will take place on Thursday, 13 August and the final will be on Friday, 14 August at 21:46 BST local time, 22:46 CEST.