Barber gives Kluft tough time in heptathlon

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 7 (Reuters) France's Eunice Barber bravely challenged home favourite Carolina Kluft to hold the lead in the heptathlon after two events at the European championships today.

Kluft's great rival, Barber clocked the fastest time in the first of seven disciplines, the 100 metres hurdles, before matching the Olympic, world and European champion in the high jump, both athletes clearing 1.89 metres.

With five events remaining in the two-day contest, Barber, who came second to Kluft at the last two world championships, topped the standings with 2,201 points.

''I feel extremely good and I'm happy to lead after two events but I want to beat Carolina in every of them,'' warned Barber.

''That's what I trained so hard for.'' Kluft, competing at a major championship in her home country for the first time, remained in contention in second place, 36 points back on 2,165 points.

The bubbly 23-year-old Swede, whose preparations have been hampered by a sore hamstring, worried a partisan crowd by managing only the fifth fastest time in 13.35 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles.

She soon bounced back, punching the air with a clenched fist after clearing 1.89 metres at her first attempt in the high jump.

Barber, who clocked the best time of 13.11 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles, also cleared that height.

The two then each failed at 1.92 metres, leaving the competition wide open at the end of the morning session.

''I have a few problems with my hamstring and the worst event for that is the hurdles, so I'm glad to have managed that quite well,'' Kluft said.

''Of course there is some pressure but the crowd are fantastic''.

The eagerly-awaited battle between the world's top two female athletes started in a great atmosphere, the pair cheering each other on and the fans happily obeying Barber's requests for applause before her attempts.

''The crowd were very nice to me,'' said Barber, who moved to France from war-torn Sierra Leone in 1993. ''I appreciate that a lot.'' The shot put and 200 metres were to follow in the afternoon before the last three contests tomorrow.

REUTERS AY ND1848