European set for first place (4,8)
I believe the answer is:
pole position
'first place' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'european set' is the wordplay.
'european' becomes 'pole' (someone from Poland).
'set' becomes 'position' (to set is to position or locate).
'pole'+'position'='POLE POSITION'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pole position that I've seen before include "Good starting-point for race" , "at 90 degrees?" , "Good place to start" , "Starting place on race track, racing circuit, etc, on the inside at the front" , "First place" .)