At the 2012 European Championships held in Helsinki, Finland, Sakalauskas qualified for the final. The first start of the final was called back because Sakalauskas did not move upon start at all, which confused the starter. The second start was called back because Italy's Simone Collio moved too early and had to be disqualified. Again, at the third start Sakalauskas left himself behind the others and walked back to the start line without any intention of finishing the race. Before race Sakalauskas has announced that he wouldn't start at the final because of an injury he sustained after the semifinals.