Stephanie Twell heightened expectations that she could be 'the next Paula Radcliffe' by becoming the first athlete to win a second European Cross Country junior title in Toro.

Twell is comfortable with the predictions that her blossoming career could eventually see her follow in the footsteps of her idol.

The 18-year-old defending champion added a runaway success in

Toro to her tight victory a year ago - but admitted feeling massive pressure in the build-up to achieving a repeat performance.

She nonetheless kept her cool, staying off the fast early pace before hitting the front after just over a kilometre of the 4.2km race.

Then she powered away, leaving opponents struggling in her wake to score an unchallenged second success in 14 minutes 12 seconds.

The Aldershot runner led the Great Britain team - completed by Charlotte Purdue, Charlotte Roach and Emily Pidgeon - to a third successive team title.

For Twell, a European junior 1500 metre silver medallist this year, this was further confirmation of her world-class talent.

"It's a great honour even to be mentioned in the same breath," she said of the comparisons with Radcliffe.

"I know what she's done, and that makes me believe nothing is beyond your dreams; you must believe you can take on and beat the Kenyans and Ethiopians."

Twell appeared to have matters in control throughout today - and added afterwards: "This race was different - last year we were racing each other to the end.

"I never panicked - I was never out of breath.

"I was coping with my own mental pressure and my own expectations.

"Obviously I've made history - and that's a great accomplishment."

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Twell - victorious in Toro.

TWELL RETAINS JUNIOR TITLE

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By David Martin, PA Sport, Toro

Stephanie Twell heightened expectations that she could be 'the next Paula Radcliffe' by becoming the first athlete to win a second European Cross Country junior title on Sunday.

Twell is comfortable with the predictions that her blossoming career could eventually see her follow in the footsteps of her idol.

The 18-year-old defending champion added a runaway success in

Toro to her tight victory a year ago - but admitted feeling massive pressure in the build-up to achieving a repeat performance.

She nonetheless kept her cool, staying off the fast early pace before hitting the front after just over a kilometre of the 4.2km race.

Then she powered away, leaving opponents struggling in her wake to score an unchallenged second success in 14 minutes 12 seconds.

The Aldershot runner led the Great Britain team - completed by Charlotte Purdue, Charlotte Roach and Emily Pidgeon - to a third successive team title.

For Twell, a European junior 1500 metre silver medallist this year, this was further confirmation of her world-class talent.

"It's a great honour even to be mentioned in the same breath," she said of the comparisons with Radcliffe.

"I know what she's done, and that makes me believe nothing is beyond your dreams; you must believe you can take on and beat the Kenyans and Ethiopians."

Twell appeared to have matters in control throughout today - and added afterwards: "This race was different - last year we were racing each other to the end.

"I never panicked - I was never out of breath.

"I was coping with my own mental pressure and my own expectations.

"Obviously I've made history - and that's a great accomplishment."

Twell's second junior gold came on an exceptional day for the British squad, who won three individual and five team medals.

Kate Reed finished sixth to lead the senior women home as they claimed runners-up spot for the fourth successive year. Marta Dominguez led Spain to victory, with defending champions Portugal third.

Britain's under-23s squad retained their team crown ahead of Russia and Poland, Felicity Milton finishing fifth after fading out of individual medal contention.

Andy Vernon took bronze in the under-23s, behind Turkey's Kemal Koyuncu.

Vernon's example spurred on his team-mates as they won a nail-biting team contest on countback, ahead of Poland.

The junior men - with David Forrester fourth and Lee Casey fifth - took silver behind France.

Sporting Life / Eurosport