Vitezslav Vesely

The big banner by the javelin run up said Finland the javelin country and the crowd loved a competition that saw one of their own win their third successive medal in the event and their 14th in total.

The gold though went to the Czech Republic which many may be surprised to know was their first. The world and Olympic champion Jan Zelezny never enjoyed the same success in the European event, with just two bronzes to his name. Gold did go to the great man's protegy though.

World leader Vitezslav Vesely, who threw 88.11m in the Bislett Games and was fourth in last Year's World Championships, won his first major title. He had the two best throws of a competition that despite the great atmosphere, was a disappointment in terms of distance with the cool, breezy conditions playing their part.

The winning distance was the shortest with the new javelin and the winning margin of 49cm tied the smallest winning margin from 2002 when Steve Backley won the last of his four titles.

Vesely started badly with a 74.04m throw but sprang to life in the second round with a 83.72m throw to take the lead and that throw proved sufficient to take the gold medal. His third effort was a modest 74.63m but he improved again, first to 78.61m in the fourth and then 83.51m in the fifth to almost match his winning distance. His final throw, with the gold in the bag was a below par 77.54m but he can go the Olympics now as the clear favourite.

He said, "I feel pretty good and I'm glad that it's over. A lot of people expected a medal from me, I'm glad I confirmed their expectations."

The initial leader was a surprise. Russian Valeriy Iordan, aged just 20 years-old, and with a modest PB of 82.32m, improved his best by over a metre with an 83.23m opening throw. The former world youth record holder looks an exciting prospect but he couldn't match that first round throw again with a 79.92m third round being his next best effort. However, that opening throw was enough to take the silver medal. 

Finland, have an unrivalled record in World and Olympic competition and the latest name to challenge for major titles is Ari Mannio. The 2009 European under 23 champion, who had headed qualifying with a 84.31m throw, made his challenge in the second round. His 82.17m put him into a medal position.

He improved further in the fourth round to 82.63m but despite the crowds urges he could only muster a 79.04m final throw. Like the other medallists though he looks set to challenge for medals for some time to come.

He said, "A medal is always a medal. I tried too much. I didn't feel any pressure."

That took him past the double Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen, who hasn't been in top form in 2012, having lost his three main competitions and struggling to even make the final here. His record though is impressive even away from Olympic games. He has won the last two European titles and has been in the top two in the last four World championships, winning the title in 2009.

He started with a 81.55m but didn't improve in the next two rounds and then withdrew to focus on defending his Olympic title.

The 2007 world champion Tero Pitkamaki was second in the 2006 Europeans and third in the 2010 Championships in Barcelona was a major disappointment to the home crowd. He started with just 74.89m and a no throw and a 74.10 followed and he finished a disappointing 11th. He had thrown 83.87m a few weeks ago and 80.66m in qualifying.

He said, "I just tried too hard today. Time is about to run out but I am hoping to reach the Olympics and I'm confident I can do it."

Teemu Wirkkala, a late replacement for an ill Anti Ruuskanen failed to make it three Finns in the final. Carrying an injury, he tried one throw but realised it was impossible to throw and withdrew.

source:european-athletics