Denmark, Czech Republic and Brady Kurtz's Australia join Great Britain in the Speedway of Nations Final as impressive Ukraine miss out
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Updated 01/10/2025 at 20:44 GMT+1
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The Marian Rose Motoarena in Poland welcomes the 2025 Speedway of Nations, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Last year's edition saw Great Britain take the victory, beating Australia in the Grand Final. GB booked their place in the 2025 Final on Tuesday alongside Poland, Sweden and Latvia, and they have been joined by Australia, Denmark and Czech Republic.
Highlights: Lambert and Bewley lead Great Britain to Speedway Of Nations final win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia make SON statement of intent with Denmark and Czech Republic also through to final
Australia, Denmark and the Czech Republic booked their place in the 2025 Speedway of Nations final as a spirited Ukraine pair missed out in agonising fashion.
Brady Kurtz, Jack Holder and Jason Doyle all shone for Australia, who were beaten in the SON Grand Final by Great Britain last season but look well-placed to go one better this time around.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s prodigious 18-year-old Nazar Parnitskyi scored the most points of anyone in Torun as he and the gutsy Marko Levishyn were third after the heats, but they were beaten 6-3 by Adam Bubba Bednar and Jan Kvech in the winner-takes-all Final Qualifier, meaning the Czech Republic become the seventh SON finalist.
They join Sweden, Great Britain, Latvia and hosts Poland in Saturday’s final, as Australia only dropped one point all evening and Denmark had a perfect semi-final apart from their heat against Australia, with both teams splitting track time between all three of their riders.
Finland and France both had disappointing evenings, with the latter’s captain David Bellego failing to race anywhere near his best, while SON debutants Argentina failed to beat an opposing rider though Cristian Zubillaga led for three laps in Heat 20.
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‘He’s gotta go!’ - Mustonen disqualified after heart-in-mouth Heat 7 incident
Video credit: TNT Sports
Holder: It's freezing out here
The semi-final winner spoke to TNT Sports and stressed how important it was for Australia to get to grips with the Marian Rose Motoarena:
"It was good to have a practice here early on and try and get the bike figured out, it's freezing out here.
"It was a tough one tonight, there's a few teams and anything can happen but we put on a good show.
"It's quite icy on the inside, and I was going to bounce off the fence and as I was going I wasn't stopping, I thought 'I've gone a bit hard here' and clouted the fence but we're through and now we look forward to Saturday."
Speedway of Nations Final lineup confirmed
These seven teams will battle it out on Saturday night to be crowned champion, who will emerge victorious? You can find out on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+ from 17:30 UK time.
Speedway of Nations Final: Poland, Sweden, Australia, Great Britain, Denmark, Latvia, Czech Republic.
We get a night off from Speedway of Nations action tomorrow, but come back on Friday evening to catch the 28-heat SON2 final where Poland, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden and Latvia will battle it out.
Final Qualifier - Parnitskyi, Bednar, Levishyn, Kvech
It's heartbreak for Ukraine! Bednar made the start but Ukraine were crucially in second and third, with Levishyn coming under huge pressure from Kvech.
And it told, as Levishyn lost control of his bike and though he kept on his saddle, it allowed Kvech into third place to clinch a place in the final.
It's a huge disappointment for Ukraine after they looked like they'd done everything right, while Parnitskyi certainly rode well enough to deserve a crack at the final - the 18-year-old was top scorer on the night.
Final Qualifier gate choices
Ukraine went off gates two and four when they scored a 7-2 against Czech Republic in Heat 15 to put themselves in the driving seat for this race-off. However, they switch inside for this one.
Remember, whichever team doesn't finish last over the four laps will qualify for Saturday's final.
Final Qualifier - Parnitskyi, Bednar, Levishyn, Kvech
Standings - Four heats to go
France must beat Australia to have any chance of making the Final Qualifier.
1. Australia - 41 points (automatically qualify for Final)
2. Denmark - 37 points (automatically qualify for Final)
3. Ukraine - 32 (face Czech Republic in Final Qualifier)
4. Czech Republic - 27 (face Ukraine in Final Qualifier)
5. France - 22
6. Finland - 18
7. Argentina - 12
Heat 21 - Berge (FRA), Holder (AUS), Tresarrieu (FRA), Doyle (AUS)
Berge starts well but is caught in two minds on the first bend, riding in the middle of the track and Jack Holder pulls through to join Doyle out front. Australia have only dropped one point all evening and win the semi final.
Heat 20 - Parnitskyi (UKR), Zubillaga (ARG), Levishyn (UKR)
Levishyn beats out Zubillaga and the SGP2 world champion does the job in front, Ukraine are into third.
Black flag
This could be heartbreak for Albin. The riders run out to tapes but there's some commotion and Albin is excluded, as the Argentine team manager hadn't announced he was subbed for Garcia.
Heat 19 - Madsen (DEN), Vuolas (FIN), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Aarnio (FIN)
It's easy as you like by Denmark, who are riding well as a team. They'll book their place in the final in second place unless France upset Australia in the final heat, Jepsen Jensen wins while Tero Aarnio gets a runout for Mustonen.
Heat 18 - Holder (AUS), Bednar (CZE), Kurtz (AUS), Kvech (CZE)
What a heat! It's possible the most competitive of the night as Bednar was initially mixing it with the Australians, but Holder hits back with a gutsy move bouncing off the fence as he crosses the start-finish line.
Ultimately Kurtz leads the 7-2 and Ukraine will have first choice in gate selection for the Final Qualifier if they can match that result in Heat 20.
WATCH: Heart-in-mouth moment in Heat 7
Dmitri Berge has just caught up with TNT Sports, telling them how he felt during this moment:
"Yeah it was [scary], when I saw his wheel close to my head I thought he was going to kill me but I managed to avoid it, they put on the red light and we make the re-run."
‘He’s gotta go!’ - Mustonen disqualified after heart-in-mouth Heat 7 incident
Video credit: TNT Sports
Standings - Four heats to go
France must beat Australia to have any chance of making the Final Qualifier.
1. Denmark (5 heats) - 30 points
2. Australia (4) - 27
3. Ukraine (5) - 25
4. Czech Republic (5) - 25
5. France (5) - 20
6. Finland (5) - 16
7. Argentina (5) - 10
Heat 17 Re-run - Zubillaga (ARG), Mustonen (FIN), Vuolas (FIN)
It's heartbreak for Cristian Zubillaga! He led three laps after switching to the inside gate, but left the door open with four turns to go, and then loses control coming onto the back straight allowing Mustonen past too.
Heat 17 - Garcia (ARG), Mustonen (FIN), Zubillaga (ARG), Vuolas (FIN)
Garcia's clutch has troubled him all night and finally it costs him, he jumps forward causing Mustonen to crash through the tapes.
Heat 16 - Bellego (FRA), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Berge (FRA), Madsen (DEN)
Madsen just edges out Berge on the back straight of lap and Denmark are clear from there. The Danes will almost certainly go straight to the final now while France are on the verge of elimination.
Heat 15 - Bednar (CZE), Parnitskyi (UKR), Kvech (CZE), Levishyn (UKR)
UKRAINE UPSET THE CZECH REPUBLIC! And it's thanks to a phenomenal move around the outside by Levishyn on Jan Kvech, while Parnitskyi wins his third heat of the night and that could be a pivotal result.
Heat 14 - Vuolas (ARG), Doyle (AUS), Mustonen (FIN), Kurtz (AUS)
The Australians have been sensational from the tapes so far tonight and that continues as they ease to victory.
Vuolas was momentarily second but Finland's disappointing evening continues as they've still only scored one more than the minimum after four heats.
Heat 13 - Zubillaga (ARG), Bellego (FRA), Garcia (ARG), Berge (FRA)
TNT Sports' Kelvin Tatum has been urging France coach Laurent Sambarrey to switch the misfiring Bellego to the inside and it pays off!
He surges to the front while Berge is initially stopped by Zubillaga, who watches Argetina's best shot at a win tonight go up in smoke.
Kurtz: So far so good
The world number two struggled in his last Ekstraliga meeting here a few weeks ago but has found form tonight, and caught up with TNT Sports:
"So far so good, Australia's got off to a good start, really nice to get some points against Denmark, that was definitely the tough heat you could say.
"We've still got a few to go and hopefully a few more good starts from both the boys and a few more points.
"It's always nice to be a part of team Australia. We all get along good and it's a nice place to be."
Standings - halfway stage
Denmark and Czech Republic lead the way tied but Australia have the net lead with 12 heats done and 11 to go:
1. Denmark (4 heats) - 23 points
2. Czech Republic (4) - 23
3. Australia (3) - 20
4. Ukraine (4) - 18
5. France (3) - 11
6. Finland (3) - 7
7. Argentina (3) - 6
Heat 12 - Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Parnitskyi (UKR), Michelsen (DEN), Levishyn (UKR)
Partnitskyi keeps pace with Michelsen (in for Madsen) off the line but the veteran Dane shows his smarts there by running him out wide, allowing Jepsen Jensen to win the heat.
It was a bold call by Danish manager Nikki Pedersen to replace Madsen but it pays off.
Heat 11 - Berge (FRA), Bednar (CZE), Bellego (FRA), Kvech (CZE)
It's the tale of two 18-year-olds tonight! Bednar is back in and shines once again, Berge was mixing it up for France one the first lap but Bednar flew around the outside while Kvech simultaneously slid up the inside to secure a 7-2.
Bellego is well off the pace tonight.
Heat 10 - Parnitskyi (UKR), Vuolas (FIN), Levishyn (UKR), Mustonen (FIN)
WHAT A MOVE from Marko Levishyn! Parnitskyi once again led from the start but Vuolas split the Ukrainians as Levishyn tried and failed to get into second.
Until the third lap that is, when Levishyn almost slid into the next province taking a super-wide line around Vuolas and into second.
Heat 9 - Kurtz (AUS), Madsen (DEN), Holder (AUS), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
It's the big one and Madsen makes contact with Kurtz at turn one, sending him wide. However, Kurtz reacts with the composure of a champion, flying around the outside and Holder wins his tussle with Madsen to make it a huge 7-2 to Australia.
Statement of intent.
Albin: Embrace the opportunity
Facundo Albin works in Poland and picked up two points in Heat 5, he spoke to TNT Sports in the break:
"For me it's very important to embrace this opportunity, I'm so happy for me and my team and the country. Everybody's looking today at the meeting, a little too much [stressed out beforehand] but now I'm relaxed. This track is very fast."
Standings after Heat 8
Denmark are the only team to score a maximum so far.
1. Czech Republic (3 heats) - 16 points
2. Denmark (2) - 14
3. Australia (2) - 13
4. Ukraine (2) - 9
5. France (2) - 9
6. Argentina (3) - 6
7. Finland (2) - 5
Heat 8 - Milik (CZE), Zubillaga (ARG), Kvech (CZE), Garcia (ARG)
Milik is in for the first time and doesn't look entirely comfortable after he and Kvech beat the underdogs at the start.
Zubillaga put pressure on Milik for the opening two laps before falling back.
Heat 7 Re-run - Vuolas (FIN), Berge (FRA), Bellego (FRA)
Finnish manager Aki-Pekka Mustonen moves Vuolas to the inside gate vacated by Mustonen but he misses the start as Berge continues his impressive start.
Behind the battle between Vuolas and Bellego lasts all four laps and the Frenchman can't overcome his opponent meaning France drop another points.
Heat 7 - Mustonen (FIN), Berge (FRA), Vuolas (FIN), Bellego (FRA)
RED LIGHT IS ON! Mustonen reared up onto his back wheel on the inside of the track and Berge had no choice to back off the throttle.
The Finns were leading 1-2 immediately but the race is halted and Mustonen will be disqualified for dangerous riding.
Heat 6 Re-run - Holder (AUS), Parnitskyi (UKR), Doyle (AUS), Levishyn (UKR)
Parnitskyi looks like a star in the making! He once again starts well but Holder just about holds his ground, while Doyle had a four-lap battle royale with Parnitskyi!
The 2017 World Champion threw everything at the 18-year-old yet Parnitskyi kept his elbows out and gives no quarter, keeping hold of second.
Madsen: We're here for gold
Madsen missed out last year but Mikkel Michelsen starred for Denmark in the semi final as they beat Australia, but had a poor final finishing sixth out of seven teams.
With the break before the Heat 6 re-run, TNT Sports caught up with Madsen:
"In the first race the guy on gate one made a really really good start, then in the second race I was like 'I have to make the same start' but the system held the tape for a long time.
"The plan was from the beginning was me and Mikkel would go and take it from there, they said the plan was to give everyone a run and then we see on Saturday. We're here for the gold, that's the only thing that matters but the gap between winning and fourth or fifth place is very small."
Heat 6 - Holder (AUS), Parnitskyi (UKR), Doyle (AUS), Levishyn (UKR)
It's a messy first corner, Parnitskyi drifts out into Doyle and the domino effect sends Levishyn into the fence. It should be all four back.
Doyle has replaced Kurtz for this one.
Heat 5 - Madsen (DEN), Garcia (ARG), Michelsen (DEN), Albin (ARG)
Both teams make changes with Jepsen Jensen and Zubillaga missing out, and once against there's movement on the tapes, this time from Denmark.
The red lights stay off though so Madsen wins while Facundo Albin takes his opportunity as a substitute, picking up two points.
Standings after Heat 4
For what it's worth, here's how they rank after the opening bloc. Remember, one team races twice each four-heat bloc (with one exception).
1. Czech Republic (2 heats) - 9 points
2. Australia (1) - 7
3. Denmark (1) - 7
4. Ukraine (1) - 6
5. France (1) - 3
6. Finland (1) - 2
7. Argentina (1) - 2
Heat 4 - Mustonen (FIN), Bednar (CZE), Vuolas (FIN), Kvech (CZE)
The Czechs bounce back in style! After Adam Bubba Bednar replaced Vaclav Milik in the opening heat, he's called upon again and sets the tone, starting strongly before Kvech sweeps past once the 7-2 was assured. Antti Vuolas is the lead Finn.
Heat 3 - Parnitskyi (UKR), Berge (FRA), Levishyn (UKR), Bellego (FRA)
How crucial will that be in the race for the top four? Parnitskyi outbattles Berge from the tapes and the 18-year-old wins by a street.
Behind, it's a disappointing first heat for Ballego who finishes in last.
Heat 2 - Garcia (ARG), Kurtz (AUS), Zubillaga (ARG), Holder (AUS)
Garcia edged forwards on the line but the Argentines were left for dead by the end of the first bend. Holder wins ahead of Kurtz while Garcia still scores his country's first points in the Speedway of Nations.
Heat 1 – Bednar (CZE), Madsen (DEN), Kvech (CZE), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
Bednar made a competitive start but just got swamped on the exit of turn two, Jepsen Jensen ghosted past him and while Madsen found going a bit tougher, the Danes win 7-2.
T-5 minutes
The riders have been introduced to the crowd, the Polish national anthem has played so we're ready to get going under a beautiful sunset in Torun.
Yesterday, Dan Bewley and Fredrik Lindgren in particular found joy taking a wide line, both riders stacking up overtakes in the second half of the first lap but will that strategy work today?
What to expect
Unlike yesterday where Latvia and Germany both appeared capable of mixing things up with the favourites, it'd be a huge surprise if Australia and Denmark don't go through to the final automatically. They face off in Heat 9.
Czech Republic's pair both have Speedway Grand Prix pedigree but captain Jan Kvech has had a disappointing season, while Finland are ranked ninth in the world though it'd be a surprise to see them progress.
SGP2 champion Nazar Parnitskyi is the man to watch for Ukraine while David Bellego had a sensational 2024 SON, outscoring Bartosz Zmarzlik in the semi-final and claiming all of France's points. Dmitri Berge is alongside him this year and should offer more support, this pair have reached the SON final previously.
Finally, Argentina are making their debut at this level, the first South American country to appear in the SON.
TNT Sports is LIVE!
Tune in now on discovery+ to catch the last of the build-up and all 21 heats, with tapes up for the first time tonight at 18:00.
Meet the teams
Czech Republic: 1. Vaclav Milik, 2. Jan Kvech (captain), 3. Adam Bubba Bednar.
Denmark: 1. Leon Madsen, 2. Michael Jepsen Jensen, 3. Mikkel Michelsen (captain).
Argentina: 1. Fernando Garcia (captain), 2. Cristian Zubillaga, 3. Facundo Albin.
Australia: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Jack Holder (captain), 3. Jason Doyle.
Ukraine: 1. Nazar Parnitskyi, 2. Marko Levishyn (captain), 3. Roman Kapustin.
France: 1. Dimitri Bergé, 2. David Bellego (captain), 3. Mathias Tresarrieu.
Finland: 1. Jesse Mustonen (captain), 2. Antti Vuolas, 3. Tero Aarnio.
Path to glory
Tonight is all about finishing in the top two out of the seven countries in the semi-final. In that case you qualify automatically for the Final, which features three teams from tonight, three teams from yesterday’s semi-final and the hosts Poland.
Then in the Final on Friday, the top team in the 21 heats qualifies straight for the Grand Final while second and third place have a qualifying race to decide the other team, and then those two battle it out for glory in the four-lap, winner-takes-all Grand Final.
So with Poland already confirmed for the Final, yesterday Sweden and Great Britain qualified automatically for the semi-final as the top two teams while fourth-placed Germany - who edged out Norway in a tiebreaker - faced third-placed Latvia in the Final Qualifier and latter won to take their place in the Final.
In last year’s Final, Australia were top after the heats while Great Britain beat third-place Sweden to join the Aussies in the Grand Final shootout, and Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley prevailed over four laps in the Grand Final to take the title.
How does it work?
Tonight’s semi-final features seven teams and takes place over 21 heats, and each team has three riders.
Two are named as starters and the third one is in reserve but in practice each team manager can put any of their riders in any of their heats, and can put either rider on either of their team’s allocated gate in that heat.
Each heat features two riders from two countries facing off while importantly the points system first-to-last is 4-3-2-0 (rather than 3-2-1-0 like in the Premiership or Grand Prix), which encourages team riding.
Each country races six heats over the course of the evening, and faces all the other semi-finalists once.
Last time out
Great Britain are the defending champions after downing Australia in last year’s Grand Final, with Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley finishing first and second against Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz.
Kurtz and Holder are back for this year’s event with Jason Doyle also in attendance as the number three rider - he was the reserve when Holder and Max Fricke won the 2022 SON for Australia.
Denmark beat Australia in their semi-final last year but slumped in the final, finishing sixth out of seven teams while Finland reached the Final Qualifier only to get knocked out by Germany and France and Ukraine also reached the semi-finals.
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‘Pretty special’ - Lambert and Bewley revel in Speedway Of Nations victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hello and welcome
The Speedway of Nations 2025 continues tonight with the second semi-final, and we will be here for the rest of the evening and the rest of the event with live text coverage.
Sweden upset reigning champions Great Britain last night by winning their semi-final but Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley are still safely through to Saturday's Final, with Latvia and Poland also confirmed.
Tonight sees Australia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ukraine and Argentina battle for the final three places.
All the action is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ with Heat 1 getting underway at 18:00 and coverage live from Torun at 17:45 (both UK time).
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