Minutes later Desmet’s brother, Stijn, won the men’s 1,000m title at Hala Olivia.

The 25-year-old Schulting, overall women’s winner at the last three European Championships, had announced before the latest edition began in Poland: "I’m the favourite on every single distance, and I’d like to win everything."

The 1500m and 500m titles were duly secured by Schulting on the opening day, and the second day brought victories in the women’s and mixed relay events.

But in her favourite event of the 1,000m, in which she has won back-to-back Olympic titles, Schulting was confounded by a late surge from her 26-year-old opponent, who secured Belgium's first gold in these Championships .

Another victory looked assured for Schulting until Desmet moved up from third place to take a lead she held to the line.

Desmet, a close second to Schulting in the previous day’s 1500m race, is already a history maker having won Belgium’s first ever short track Olympic medal, a bronze, at Beijing 2022.

“I saw [Germany's] Anna [Seidel] falling just in front of me, and then it was just me, Suzanne and Xandra," Desmet said.

"None of us wanted to be second or third, and it made it a great race.

“I really wanted to go for it. I was setting up really wide, and I made a move.

"An Olympic medal is a bigger deal, but this is my first big win. I feel so good."

Schulting was disappointed to miss out on the individual clean sweep that she had targeted.

"This is a real pity," she said

"I thought I was in the right position, but apparently Hanne had lots of speed and could get through in the last moment."

Petra Jaszapati of Hungary took third place after Velzeboer was penalised for causing Seidel’s crash.

Schulting consoled herself by helping the Netherlands win the mixed relay ahead of Belgium and Italy, and the women’s 3,000m relay ahead of Hungary and Italy.

Stijn Desmet’s 1,000m win reversed the previous day’s result when he was just beaten on the line by training partner Jens van t’Wout of The Netherlands.

"This feels nicer than yesterday," said Desmet.

"It was a lot of fun, and this is my first win, which feels great.

"To do it right after Hanne getting her first championship is amazing.

"If she can do it, I can do it.

"I was so happy seeing her win and it did give me a boost.

"I was ready to show the family we can win.

"My mum is here, so she got to see both her children’s first titles."

Van t’Wout had added silver in the 500m the previous day, coming in behind Pietro Sighel of Italy.

It contributed to The Netherlands finishing top of the overall medals table for the third consecutive Championships.

They won a total of 10 medals, made up of six gold, three silver and a bronze.

Thanks chiefly to Family Desmet, Belgium finished with two gold and three silver.