300m Lapua European Cup Sweden & Eskilstuna 2026 – Strong Finnish performances in early week results
The 300m Lapua European Cup is well underway at the Hugelsta Shooting Range in Eskilstuna, Sweden, where Finnish athletes have delivered a series of determined and promising performances throughout the week. With both the Lapua European Cup Sweden and Lapua European Cup Eskilstuna taking place consecutively from 22 to 27 June, the event has offered valuable international match experience and several standout results for Team Finland.
Finland opens the week with Team Bronze in Standard Rifle
The competition week began on Monday with the Standard Rifle (300m) event, where Finland secured a well‑earned team bronze medal. The Finnish lineup consisted of Juha Rutonen, Olga Lähteenmäki, and Aina Kivi. Rutonen finished in seventh place with a score of 566, Lähteenmäki placed tenth with 534, and Kivi followed in eleventh with 525. Their combined performance secured Finland’s first podium result of the week.
Strong Finnish showings in the 3×20 matches
Tuesday’s 300m Rifle 3×20 competitions produced several solid Finnish results.
In the men’s event, Rutonen finished sixth with a score of 567, while Tero Hovila placed eighth with 553.
In the women’s event, Henna Viljanen led the Finnish athletes by finishing eighth with 580. Lähteenmäki placed fourteenth with 560, and Kivi finished fifteenth with 537. The Finnish women’s team placed fourth with a total of 1677 points.
Viljanen expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting that she was particularly pleased with the quality of her shooting in the three‑position match. Lähteenmäki and Kivi both emphasized how valuable the event has been for gaining international 300m experience.
Prone matches bring consistent results in challenging conditions
Wednesday’s 300m Prone events continued Finland’s steady performance.
In the men’s competition, Rutonen finished ninth with a score of 590, Hovila placed sixteenth with 581, and Tapio Kajan finished seventeenth with 576. The Finnish men’s team placed fifth with a total of 1747 points.
In the women’s prone event, Viljanen finished eighth with 585, Kivi placed sixteenth with 573, and Lähteenmäki finished eighteenth with 566. The Finnish women’s team placed fourth with a total of 1724 points.
Viljanen described the conditions as demanding, explaining that she studied the wind carefully before the match and followed her plan throughout the competition. Kivi noted that the day was both heavy and educational, while Lähteenmäki said she enjoyed shooting prone again, as the position felt strong.
Women’s team silver highlights Thursday’s prone matches
The prone competitions continued on Thursday under shifting and challenging wind conditions.
Viljanen once again led the Finnish women by finishing eighth with a score of 586. Kivi placed thirteenth with 568, and Lähteenmäki finished fourteenth with 564. Their combined performance earned Finland second place in the women’s team competition, finishing behind Switzerland.
In the men’s prone event, Rutonen finished eleventh with 591, and Hovila placed sixteenth with 583.
This weekend's program in Elskilstuna
The Lapua European Cup Eskilstuna continues today with a full schedule that includes equipment control, the Standard Rifle Open PET session, the Standard Rifle Open competition, the victory ceremony, and PET sessions for the 300m Rifle 3×20 events for both men and women.
Tomorrow marks the final day of the Lapua European Cup Eskilstuna. The program includes equipment control, the 300m Rifle 3×20 competitions for men and women, the final victory ceremony, and the official closure of both the Lapua European Cup Sweden and the Lapua European Cup Eskilstuna.
Finland heads into the final day with confidence
With a team bronze, a women’s team silver, and numerous top‑10 individual results already secured, Finland has demonstrated depth and resilience across all 300m disciplines. As the final matches approach, the Finnish athletes are well‑positioned to conclude the week with strong performances.
