Mo Farah, becoming the first Briton to win the title and Chris Thompson finished in gold and silver medal positions when the European Championships got underway in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Farah, after hitting the front on the penultimate lap to deter the threat from Spain's Ayad Lamdassem, won in a time of 28:24.99 with Thompson, in a photo-finish, given the decision ahead of Italy’s Daniele Meucci, both clocking 28:27.33.
Farah, after Thompson fell of the pace in the closing stages, even had time to gesture back to his colleague and big friend urging him to get back into contact and the advice worked as the latter gave his everything to achieve a podium finish.
Farah, the 5000m silver medallist at the last Championships, said: "That was amazing. One-two has never been done before and it just feels so great to be here.
"It's so great to see Chris back. He's done so much and to win with him second is the best result I could have expected."
Dwain Chambers, bidding to win the 100m crown which he did in 2002 but had it taken away when it was discovered he was using a performance enhancing drug and served a two years suspension, cruised through his 100m qualifier.
Chambers, who is expected to be strongly challenged for the title by Christophe Lemaitre, the only other European to run under 10sec this year, won in 10.21 - 0.01sec slower than the Frenchman took in his qualifier which was the fastest of the night.
The 32-year-old said: "It was a bit nerve-wracking to begin with as it always is for me. Getting the heats out the way is always tough and with the one false start rule I am not taking any chances."
Mark Lewis-Francis, the former World junior champion who finished second behind Lemaitre and James Dasaolu, also moved into Wednesday's semi finals.
Jenny Meadows, last summer's World 800m bronze medallist and Jemma Simpson progressed in their heats but Marilyn Okoro, finishing fourth, was eliminated.
Meadows recorded 1:58.90 behind Russia's Svetlana Klyuka, which was just 1/100 sec slower than her season's best while Simpson won her heat in 1:59.18.
"I'm really relieved to get to the final, I hate the first round," said Meadows. “I felt myself, I felt good and that's the worst one out the way.
"The preparation camp did me the world of good. I really feel like I left my (injury) troubles back at home and that run has proved to me I am in great shape."