HATTI Archer has a final chance to make the Olym-pics in this week’s European Championships in Helsinki.

The former Radley athlete finished second in the Olympic Trials for the 3,000m steeplechase at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Sunday, but did not achieve the qualifying time of 9mins 43secs.

And the 30-year-old is determined to make it to London 2012.

Archer, whose personal best is 9.30.19 was disappointed not to run a qualifying time in the trials – although it was her first race of a season interrupted by a hip injury.

“I have got the Europeans now,” she said. “Sometimes a bad race can work out in your favour.

“Two years ago, I did a 3K flat race and I was awful. Four days later, I ran really well.

“Hopefully, Sunday’s race in Birmingham was what I needed.

“I have run sub-9.45 ten or 12 times, so it was quite disappointing.

“But with the amount of training I have done, it is not as bad.”

Archer, formerly Dean, runs in the heats in Helsinki tomorrow, with the final on Saturday.

The deadline to qualify for the Great Britain & Northern Ireland athletics team for London 2012 is on Sunday, with Archer chasing one of two remaining steeplechase spots.

The team is due to be announced next Tuesday.

Archer finished second to Eilish McColgan in the trials, with the latter earning Olympic selection.

But Archer’s runner-up spot means she is guaranteed a spot if she runs sub-9.43.

“When Eilish went past, I thought I have just got to get second place,” said Archer.

“I held on and finished strongly – the last 50 metres of the steeplechase is great.

“It is really hard to work out the pace, but it felt like it was going to be sub-9.50 and I felt strong.”