In total, Finland won eight medals in the European Bowling Championships. The European Bowling Championships ended Lehtonen’s tremendously long national team career.
The European Championships in bowling for men in Helsinki received a joyous decision for the host country on Friday, when Joonas Jähi won gold in the Masters series that ended the Games. The European Championship gold was the only one for Finland at the Games, and in total Finland received eight medals from the Games.
Jähi, 36, knocked out three tough Swedes in the Masters playoffs: first in the semi-finals James Blomgrenin I won 2-1, then the semi-finals Jesper Svensson 2-0 and in the final Martin Larsenin 2-0 The final series for Jähni read 235–193 and 268–193.
– It feels like the top. The first personal gold at the European Championships, in the home hall, in front of the home audience and their own family. Quite an insane feeling, Jähi glowed a gold medal and a bronze medal from the team competition in his neck.
– There were ups and downs in the race, and the semi-final loss of the team race to Italy was a difficult moment. But then this became quite unforgettable for myself. And winning the Swedes? I know their merits (PBA and World Cup success), but they eat the same porridge, Jähi smiled.
The story continues after the pictures.
Two medals from the Masters series
On the closing day, Finland also received the European Bronze Masters when Tomas Käyhkö bowed to Larsen in the semifinals. Käyhkö acknowledged a total of five medals in the home competitions.
– This is a pretty difficult event mentally. One and a half weeks of concentration on throwing. But six sections, including five medals and a medal from all three personal races. That’s great. Gold did not come now, but if it ever comes from there, Käyhkö, one of Finland’s great hopes for the future, summed up.
Sweden won three of the six gold medals in the races that were postponed four times due to the coronavirus. Finland, Italy and the Netherlands, which won Italy in the final of the team competition, took other gold medals.
Farewell to the national team icon
Thursday’s team race semi-final loss ended with a national team that represented the national team in five different decades. Kimmo Lehtonen National team career.
– Longing, tears welling up. Nothing annoying, I got more than a little boy could have dreamed of. And I hope I am remembered for this long career and for adapting to all these changes that have taken place in the sport over the decades, Lehtonen described.
– I may still play senior races, but I don’t have to go to the track if it doesn’t feel like it. Feeling relieved, feeling really good.