Finland’s Jere Murto’s monster fifth round throw of 80.41m secured him the gold, world U18 lead and a PB in a dominant performance for the country's third gold in Rieti.
Murto’s gold also makes it four editions in a row that Finland have been on the men’s javelin podium at these championships, with Topi Parviainen also holding the championship record and European U18 best of 84.52m.
Great Britian’s Edward Scott took silver with 70.02m from the second round, while Switzerland’s Jevin Rasanayagam took third with a PB of 69.06m.
“I had a really hard time coming to these championships because I injured my oblique - I tore it three weeks ago,” Murto said. “I did not have any full power throw in the last three weeks.
“So it is a miracle that it managed to heal and I am really happy that I managed to throw 80.41m and a new PB. I knew I had it in my spine, that I could do it. The most important thing is that I am okay after the competition and that I have no pain.
“I train in a small town in Finland, my dad is my coach and we have been training together every day for like 10 years. I just love this sport. He learns from other javelin throwers and coaches, and he just do what he needs to do. It is a miracle.
“Jan Zelezny [the world record-holder] is my main role model. But I have not met him yet. I would like to become the best person of myself that I can be, and to become an Olympic champion.”
The action on the track may have been busy, but when Murto launched his javelin into the air the whole stadium gasped in awe as it seemed to float eternally until dipping way beyond the 75m mark.
Before the distance flashed up, Murto’s arms were up and he knew it was big, the gold was already looking very likely to be his but this just solidified his incredible feat.
He had five throws over 70m, with all of those enough to have taken the win, as only his first-round throw of 68.42m wouldn’t have taken the title.
Scott was the only other athlete to surpass 70m, while less than one metre separated fourth, Poland’s Natan Kowalski with 67.66m, through to seventh, Germany’s Quentin Albers with 66.76m.
“This competition has been my dream for the summer, for the whole season,” Scott said. “Representing Great Britain is amazing.
“I came second, I cannot complain, I am really, really happy. I was looking for the first or second attempt to come out and give everything for the first round.
“Achieving this result is because of the level of competition, the adrenaline and the crowd. All this makes records and PB’s possible.
“Jere Murto is a nice guy and Finland is a javelin nation. He threw 10m more than me, which is amazing, he is simply brilliant.
“I will always be chasing him and maybe beat him. When I saw my teammate [Lucy Bull] win gold in the women javelin this was an extra motivation for me.”