Crawley's Nick Buckfield finished fifth in the pole vault as Great Britain's men surrendered their Spar European Cup final title to France in Florence.

After leading the way at the end of day one by a point, the team ultimately finished third at the Luigi Ridolfi stadium as magnificent wins from Mark Lewis-Francis over 100m and Chris Rawlinson in the 400m hurdles on the first day proved not to be enough.

Despite no further individual successes on day two the team coped well in the 35-degree heat and ensured they took bronze by triumphing in the 4x400m hurdles, the final event of the competition.

Crawley's Mick Jones came last in the hammer.