Mattia Furlani, the reigning outdoor and indoor world long jump champion, withdrew from the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after suffering a right thigh injury on his very first qualifying attempt. He managed a mark of 7.73 metres before pulling out, leaving Alexander Stadium in a wheelchair.
The injury was a recurrence of a hamstring problem to his right knee that Furlani originally sustained in late May during a Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China. The 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medallist and Glasgow World Indoor silver medallist was unable to continue in the competition.
Furlani's exit reshapes the long jump contest. His main rival Miltiadis Tentoglou, winner of the last three European titles, remains in the field. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Italian Daniele Inzoli advanced to the final with an 8.34-metre leap.