Finland’s skeet men were in top form at the European Games in Poland. The trio already set the world record in qualifying.
Eetu Kallioinen, Tommi Takase and Timi on Vallioniemi was a smile at the sensitive European Games in Wroclaw, Poland. The trio shot gold in the skeet men’s team competition and at the same time increased Finland’s medal tally to two in shooting sports at the European Games. On Sunday, Kallioinen shot for bronze in the men’s skeet individual competition.
– A really great day, Kallioinen, Takanen and Vallioniemi smiled before the award ceremony.
– The whole year has come and gone, now I feel good, Takanen said.
Finland already succeeded brilliantly in qualifying, when the team shot a score of 222. It is a new world record and the previous record held by Italy was improved by one disc. The Finns shot reliably in the qualification, as Kallioinen’s score was 74 (25+25+24), Vallioniemi’s 73 (25+25+23) and Takanen’s full 75 (25+25+25).
In the gold match, Finland faced Italy, who came second in the qualifiers. The beginning was difficult, but after three bombs, Finland got even and took the lead. When Kallioinen dropped the decisive pucks, the team was able to win with a score of 7–3.
– Koutsi (Italian Pietro Genga) said at dinner yesterday that Italy must win. Now it was done, Vallioniemi smiled.
– The important thing is that the Maamme song plays. It’s interesting to experience. Timi kept the team together, victory and ME, great! There were quite a few exciting moments during the competition, the winning trio rejoiced.
In the bronze medal match, the third and fourth place in the qualification met, i.e. Germany (215) and Greece (213). The Greeks got the dullest medals with a score of 6–2.
Sources: Bulletins of the Shooting Sports Association and the Olympic Committee