30-year-old Edis Matusevičius – one of the country’s biggest hopes, who took 4th place in the previous championships – competed in the men’s javelin throw final.
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In the qualifiers, the athlete who was fighting illness and extreme heat was unable to fulfill his full potential and in the race for medals. With his best fourth attempt, the javelin flew 81.07 m, which resulted in sixth place.
- E.Matusevičius in the final: 78.87 / 80.60 / 78.60 / 81.07 / 79.53 / 80.02
“Not bad, of course,” E.Matusevičius said immediately after the final. “Consistent, as throughout this season. Of course, there was no cosmic performance, as much as needed to win a medal – that’s a bit frustrating, but I wasn’t in my best shape today. It is what it is.”
The Lithuanian record holder caught a cold upon arriving in Birmingham.
“I took medicine and everything is fine. However, I didn’t feel my body as I usually do. That somewhat hindered me…” E.Matusevičius continued, who, like other javelin throwers, had to compete in +35 heat during the qualifiers, and in the final – at a temperature twice as cool (+18).
– I just dressed more. It didn’t interfere. When you are focused, you don’t pay attention to it. You can’t change it. It is what it is.
The wind was interesting. Like in the qualification – it was swirling. When you start running – it’s a crosswind, but in the field – tailwind or headwind, it swirls. The same in the final.”
The gold was taken by Julian Weber, who improved the European championships record with a fantastic last attempt (90.40 m).
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He outperformed another German who threw the farthest in his life, Nick Thumma (83.76 m), while the bronze went to Latvian Patriks Gailums (82.97 m). This is the first medal for the “brothers” in this European championship.
“J. Weber surprised with the championship record on the last attempt, as he said he felt some shoulder pain. Apparently, he was motivated by a compatriot, another German (who unexpectedly took the lead after the fourth throw, – ed.),” the javelin thrower assessed.
E. Matusevičius is the Lithuanian javelin throw record holder – 89.17 m, set in 2019. This year, his thrown implement flew the farthest at 83.65 m.
“I still have one competition in Berlin. Maybe J. Weber will participate there again. Probably no more starts this year,” said E. Matusevičius, who is also awaiting one of the most important events in his life in a week – his wedding with Lithuanian high jumper Urtė Baikštytė.
– Yes, greetings to Urtė. We will get married next week. Wait (laughs). Urtė is my biggest fan. I always feel her support. Both when I succeed and when I don’t. Greetings, Urtė.”
- This is E. Matusevičius’s fourth European championship. In 2024 in Rome, he finished just off the podium – fourth (83.96 m). In 2018, he was tenth (77.64 m), and in 2016 – eleventh (77.86 m).
We remind you that the athlete who competed in the qualifiers on Thursday with a fever showed the sixth-best result (80.89 m).
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You can find the Lithuanian schedule and expectations for the European championship here.
