Arnold Classic Europe 2014: Dates, Schedule, Top Bodybuilders and More

One of the biggest events of the bodybuilding schedule is set to begin Friday in Europe.

Following the massive Mr. Olympia competition, the Arnold Classic Europe promises more fireworks on the stage. Some of the most notable faces will be on the stage looking to outpose their opponents for the title.

Less than a week after Phil Heath was crowned Mr. Olympia yet again, the bodybuilding king will not be in the running for the Arnold Classic. The reigning champion of the event, Heath will be a spectator much like Arnold Schwarzenegger, the competition's namesake.

Before some of the world's best physical specimens take the stage, here's a look at the schedule and preview of the top competitors.

2014 Arnold Classic Europe Information

When: Sept. 26-28. Tentative schedule can be found here.

Where: Madrid Arena, Madrid, Spain

Semifinals: Sept. 27, 5 p.m. WET (11 a.m. ET)

Finals: Sept. 27, 7 p.m. WET (1 p.m. ET)

Breakdown of Top Contenders

When it comes to the bodybuilding world, Heath and Kai Greene are at the top of the mountain. Neither men will be competing in Madrid, leaving the door wide open for other monsters to take the title.

One of those elite bodybuilders is Shawn Rhoden, who finished just behind Heath and Greene at the Mr. Olympia competition. Ripebeast.com provides a look at the final moments of the recent event:

Rhoden fell out of favor with the judges for a short stretch last season, placing fourth in both the 2013 Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic Europe. But since that point, Rhoden has shined on nearly every stage he's taken.

Dr. Layne Norton of BioLayne LLC provided his thoughts on Rhoden during Mr. Olympia:

If any man is going to test Rhoden, it's the competitor that fell just short of third in Las Vegas.

Dennis Wolf won his first Arnold Classic earlier this season, taking down Rhoden in Columbus, Ohio. Though he gained confidence from the showing, it wasn't enough to overtake Flexatron again last weekend.

Following the previous Arnold Classic, Roger Lockridge of Bodybuilding.com passed along his analysis:

"

"The Big Bad Wolf" flew to Columbus to win. It was clear when he stepped on stage he would accept nothing else. Finishing in second place twice made him hungry for the title. He knew what he needed to do to improve from the rear and he did just that. The crowd impressed with every back pose he hit and howled in approval.

"

That elite posing will need to be perfect yet again in Spain as Wolf looks to overtake Rhoden. He might have fallen short in Vegas, but Wolf is in top physical shape and ready to contend this weekend.

Others like Branch Warren and Dexter Jackson can't be overlooked, but it looks like a two-horse race for the Arnold Classic Europe. Expect a wild fight for the title in Madrid, with Rhoden looking to reclaim the top spot for the first time since 2012.