Olympic Champion Emil Zátopek and Väinö Koskela, 7th in the 5000 metres at the 1948 London Olympics, engaged in a fierce battle in the 5000 metres during the Finland vs. Czechoslovakia match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on July 13, 1949. Zatopek emerged victorious with a time of 14:20.0, while Koskela finished close behind in 14:20.8.