Hodgkinson, Werro set up European 800m showdown after Swiss appeal succeeds

BIRMINGHAM, England, Aug 13 : Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson eased into the women's 800 metres final at the European Athletics Championships on Thursday, while rival Audrey Werro secured her place in the medal race after a successful appeal following a dramatic fall.Swiss runner Werro, who clocked the fastest women's 800m time in 43 years earlier this season, was leading the opening semi-final when she took a heavy tumble on the final bend.The 22-year-old got back to her feet and finished last, clutching her chest, but officials later reinstated her after reviewing footage that showed France's Anais Bourgoin made contact with Werro's right foot before the fall.There was no such drama in the second semi as Britain's Hodgkinson led from the gun and crossed the line first in one minute 57.