Gianmarco Tamberi secured his path to the final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, advancing alongside three fellow Italian athletes during the second morning of qualification events. According to coverage from regional reporting, the reigning continental champion cleared a height of 2.23 meters on his second attempt to punch his ticket to the medal round.
The qualification session on the Alexander Stadium’s high jump apron produced a strong showing for the Italian squad, placing a quartet of jumpers into the final round. Alongside Tamberi, under-23 European champion Matteo Sioli matched the performance by clearing 2.23 meters at the second try, while teammates Edoardo Stronati and Christian Falocchi secured their advancement with successful clearances at 2.19 meters, as detailed by SportMediaset.
For Tamberi, an Ancona native born in Civitanova, the qualification marks another step in defending the crown he won two years ago at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. However, the path to Friday’s final brought mixed emotions and candid self-assessment from the jumper.
Qualification Drama and Tamberi’s Candid Assessment
The morning session carried notable tension for the defending champion. According to field reports from Virgilio Sport, Tamberi navigated early nerves by clearing 2.15 meters with some difficulty before missing his initial attempt at 2.19 meters. He subsequently found his rhythm at 2.23 meters on his second try, bypassing the higher 2.26-meter direct qualification threshold once the twelve-man field was locked in.
Speaking to Rai broadcasters after the event, Tamberi voiced clear dissatisfaction with his technical execution despite advancing to the final. “It’s good that all four of us are in the final, but my jumps are not good at all. They are not going well. It would have been better if I had stayed home, I didn’t come here to jump like this,” Tamberi stated in an interview cited by Virgilio Sport. He added that while his physical conditioning feels solid, he must improve his form before Friday’s competition.
Teammate Matteo Sioli offered a more reassuring note regarding his own physical status after experiencing minor calf cramps during the 2.19-meter jumps. Sioli confirmed to reporters that the issue was minor and that he intends to focus on hydration ahead of the medal event.
A Broader Success for the Italian Team in Birmingham
The high jump qualification was part of a broader wave of strong performances for the Italian delegation at the Birmingham championships. The morning session also featured standout track results, highlighted by Eloisa Coiro breaking a long-standing national record in the women’s 800 meters. Coiro posted a time of 1’57”56 to place second in her heat, eclipsing Gabriella Dorio’s 46-year-old Italian record set in Pisa in 1980, according to Virgilio Sport.
Additionally, Ayomide Folorunso advanced in the 400-meter hurdles by winning her semifinal heat with a time of 53”93, placing her just four centiseconds shy of her primato italiano. As the championships progress toward the weekend, attention now turns to the Alexander Stadium, where Tamberi and his three compatriots will contest the high jump final on Friday.
Official updates, live results, and competition schedules are available through the European Athletics official portal.
Worth a look