Mannio's best throw reached 82.63 metres, a full metre short of the gold medal effort by the Czech Vitezslav Vesely, who won with a toss of 83.72 metres. Russian Valeri Iordan took home the silver.
Finnish fans had pinned their hopes on former world champion javelinist Tero Pitkämäki. But throwing under 75 metres, this became the first European Athletics Championships competition where he failed to make it to the podium.
Mannio threw a season-best toss in the qualifier, while Tero Pitkämäki secured a place in the final with a toss of 80.66 metres. Pitkämäki's throw earned him sixth place overall in the qualifying round.