[1] With Femke Bol, who had taken the World Indoor Record in the 400 metres earlier in the season, as their anchor leg, Netherlands came in as a favorite.

With only one substitution allowed between the heats and the final, Netherlands put their fresh athlete Liemarvin Bonevacia on the first leg.

Netherlands' other 400 star, Lieke Klaver, pushed the turn to barely beat Rosey Effiong to the break.

Coming off the final turn, Holmes tried to put a kick on Bol and was gaining down the home stretch.

[3] The event schedule, in local time (CEST), was as follows:[4] The first three in each heat (Q) and the next two fastest (q) qualified for the final.