German Amanal Petros made an early grab for gold, winning in a time of 2:09:11, a championship record. But behind him there was a more dramatic showdown for the medals.
Suldan Hassan was in a group of seven runners for a long time, before they started dropping off one by one and he finally stayed in contention for the medals with Italian Pietro Riva and Israeli Gashau Ayale.
During the final sprint, Riva and Ayale pulled away from Hassan and were able to finish second and third respectively. Hassan finished three seconds behind Ayale in fourth.
He doesn't want to do media, he's too sad. He doesn't want to talk to anyone right now, the national team's press officer Anna-Lena Pettersson told reporters on site after the disappointing missed medal.
This is Sweden's fifth fourth place at the European Athletics Championships.
Other Swedes: Ebba Tulu Chala finished 13th, Archie Casteel came in 47th, while Samuel Tsegay dropped out halfway through the race.
The women's marathon was won by Alisa Vainio of Finland in a time of 2:22:26.
Hanna Lindholm was the best Swede in 25th place, followed by Carolina Johnson in 40th. Samrawit Mengsteab dropped out of the race.
Fanny Roos, shot put.
Daniel Ståhl, discus.
Oskar Edlund, 400 meter hurdles.
Perseus Karlström, walking.
Suldan Hassan, marathon.
