Hill aims for Europeans

Hill is gunning for European selection

Former world javelin bronze medallist Mick Hill has vowed to qualify for next month's European Championships after failing to make England's Commonwealth Games team.

Hill, 37, the 1986 Commonwealth silver medallist, missed out on a fifth straight Games appearance when he finished third in the trial meeting.

The two automatic qualifying places went to Nick Nieland and Mark Roberson with the selectors awarding Steve Backley the third discretionary slot.

Hill, who was troubled throughout the winter with an Achilles injury, quashed rumours he might retire with a brilliant win in Varazdin on Saturday.

I have shown I am over my bad patch

Mick Hill

He launched a European qualifier throw of 82.33 metres, also a meeting record at the Croatian Throws event, and insisted he was determined to get his career back on track with selection for Munich.

The Yorkshireman is hoping to clinch selection in Birmingham next week in the three-day trials at Alexander Stadium.

Hill said: "After what happened in the Commonwealth trials, it only made me even more determined to pull myself together and get into the British team for Munich.

Tough competition

"I have focused totally on achieving this since Manchester.

"Last winter was a nightmare. I had Achilles trouble and lack of proper training saw me unable to compete until May.

"I knew I needed more time and perhaps the English trials were too early.

"I have shown I am over my bad patch. Now I'll be aiming to throw in the mid-80s which should guarantee my place after the weekend's trials."

Hill, a European silver medallist behind Backley in Budapest four years ago, added: "It's really good to be back to reasonable form.

"It will be a tough javelin competition in Munich, but with all of the world's best throwers European-based, it will make for a great competition where the pressures are totally different from one day meetings."