Finland's hopes of a clean sweep in the javelin or at least a triple attack in the final was dealt a blow with the news that their double world finalist Antti Ruusskanen is ill but his illness may be too late for a replacement to come into the team.

The 28-year-old's best result was a sixth in the 2009 World championships and his 84.95m this year was the best a Finnish javelin thrower has achieved.

Ruuskanen was thus unable to attend the main European Athletics press conference along with his two Finnish team-mates Tero Pitkamaki and Ari Mannio. Make no mistake, the Javelin is the biggest event in the Championships for the Finns and probably would still be even if it wasn't their best chance of a medal. The Finns are the Olympics and World Championships most successful nation and they've also enjoyed success on the European stage too.

Most attention this year is agaon on Pitkamaki. The 2007 world champion hasn't been in great shape this year but he looks like he is coming into form at just the right time.

Pitamaki, who has been the face of the Championships in terms of promotion, looked like he wouldn't even make the Finnish team. He threw just 73.57m in the Bislett Games in Oslo, a full 18 metres down on his 91.53m PB.

But a fine win in 83.87m in Pihtipudas on June 17 against all his major rivals for a spot on the team ensured his place in Finland's team.
"After Oslo, I decided I needed a break and get away from javelin throwing and it helped because I came back refreshed."

Pitkamaki is aware of the importance of the event to Finns. He said, "The Olympic Games is my main goal but the Europeans is my second focus. The javelin is a big thing for Finnish athletics. There will be a good crowd and enthusiastic spectators. Having the event so popular means you can get good sponsors and we have good coaches and facilities.

Pitkamaki has experience of the pressure of the home nations expectations. He went into the 2005 World championships as the world number one and big favourite but he could only manage fourth spot. The Finn threw just 81.27m there as gold surprisingly went to Estonia's Andrus Varnik with 87.17m.

"There was a lot of pressure last time because I was world number one and this time I can be more relaxed, but I'm not throwing as well as nine years ago soi my chances are less. A medal is possible but the competition is very tough. There are six or seven who can win. Vitezslav Vesely has thrown far this year and Thorkildsen is a great competitor and I think he will medal."

Part of his slow start this year he puts down to a change in technique. "I have changed my run up and when you change technique it doesn't work straight away."

His greatest triumph came at Osaka when his 90.33m throw ensured Finland won their fourth world javelin title following successes for Seppo Raty in 1987, Kimmo Kinunnen in 1991 and Akli Parvianen in 1999, and of course they also won the women's title in 1983 through Tina Lillak's unforgettable final throw drama.

And what would the Finns give for a repeat of that?

In the European championships, Finland have also won four men's titles but the success was more in the past. The great Matti Jarvinen won in 1934 and 1938 then Toivo Hyytianen in 1950 and finally Hannu Siitonen in 1974. Therefore Finland's total is only equal to the events most successful individuals as both Janis Lusis who won four golds from 1962 to 1971 and Steve Backley who dominated between 1990 and 2002 also have four golds.

Finland have won junior and age group events in the past and the most recent success went to Ari Mannio, who also attended the press conference.

He didn't say much in the main press conference, just a terse, "If everything goes well, I can take a medal." Later after a round of endless television interviews – Javelin throwers get more attention than footballers in Finland – he seemed more relaxed. "It's going to be a great atmosphere and I'm really looking forward to throwing. I respond well to pressure. If the weather is good, it could take 85 to 86 metres to medal and I am confident I can do that."

His all-time best is 85.70m in 2009 but he has been very consistent over 80m this summer and some think he may be a better bet for a medal than the less consistent Pitkamaki. He threw 81.06m in Daegu, then 80.91m in Shanghai, followed by a 83.74m season's best in Aanekoski, then 82.20m in Oslo and finishing with a 83.63m, just 24cm down on his older rival and the first time in the last four meetings that the former world champion has beaten him.

The 24-year-old has a wide range of interests outside javelin including ice hockey, which he plays regularly for a local team, fishing and hunting.

This Thursday, Mannio will be hunting medals in front of an enthralled crowd.

source:european-athletics