Swedish star Carolina Klüft made it to the final of the women's long jump with a leap of 6.62m during the qualification rounds on Tuesday.

Carolina Klüft justified her controversial selection for the Swedish team when she qualified for the final of the long jump finishing in 12th and last position.

Her first round jump of 6.62m was enough to see her get through to Friday's final and still the growing chorus of disapproval back home in Sweden after team manager, Stefan Holm, gave her a wild card for Barcelona.

Her best coming into the championships was a full 20cm off what she jumped in the qualifiers so she was more than happy with the result: “It feels like a victory,” she said. “As though I have come out and won gold. I thought I had had it after my third jump and almost did not dare look.” Klüft only got through because her second best jump of 6.51m was 4cm further than Switzerland's Irene Pusterla.

After turning away from her gold-medal strewn career in the heptathlon, Klüft has received a lot of criticism for allegedly playing on her illustrious past in order to get picked for the long jump. But she is adamant this is all part of her plan to win gold in London 2012.

“Barcelona is important for continuing my career,” she insisted. “Now I know I am capable of jumping really long next year.” It is six years since Klüft set her PB of 6.97 in Tallin. Last year she had her troublesome thigh injury operated on and Barcelona is very much a comeback championships.

She is also determined not let the furore surrounding her selection get to her: “I've got nothing to say to them [her detractors]. I just want to focus on myself and run my race. People can think what they want. We live in a free land.

“All I can say is that I am tired of defending myself. I haven't committed a crime, I haven's cheated, I haven't done ill to anyone or betrayed my country. I am tired of defending myself for what I am. Now I'm in the European final, like it or not.”

Asked whether she is capable of recovering in time for the final Klüft said: “I am used to seven events in two days. I think I'll manage two in two days. I've got more to give.”