Finland’s taival volleyball women’s EC qualification has gone as expected. Finland is currently second in the qualifying group.
Joska Saarinen,
STT Sports
On Saturday, the Finnish women’s national volleyball team took the expected victory in the away game of the EC qualifiers against Iceland. Finland secured its position as second in Group B with a 3–0 win (25–15, 25–12, 25–19).
The qualifying match played in Kopavogur, Reykjavík’s metropolitan area, lasted only the first two hours. Finland’s players mocked Iceland’s flimsy pass reception.
– Finland’s attacking play was good and versatile. Of course, Iceland, which is not at the same level as the Czech Republic and Montenegro, was on the other side, Urheilu’s expert Riikka Lehtonen said.
– The reception in Finland was not at such a good level today. Finland has struggled with it throughout the qualifiers.
Having won three of their four qualifying matches, Finland is second in Group B after the Czech Republic. Finland will next face the Czech Republic away next Wednesday.
According to Lehtonen, the reception play is one of the keys that Finland could use to surprise the group’s pre-favorite Czech Republic.
– If the reception can be made to work and through that Kaisa Alanko could run a good and fast versatile offensive game, then Finland would even be able to topple the Czech Republic, Lehtonen thought.
Finland ends the qualifiers next Saturday in Joensuu against Montenegro in a match that will probably decide the second team for the EC final tournament, the group leader Czech Republic.
– Of course, the most important game in this group is the Montenegro game in Joensuu. Finland itself knows that, Lehtonen said.
Finland started the EC qualifiers with a 3–1 win over Montenegro. There was a loss against the Czech Republic and both Iceland matches ended in victory, as expected.
The two best in the qualifying group advance to the 2023 European Championships.
Group B continues on Sunday, when the Czech Republic visits Montenegro.
Finland’s last matches are on September 7 against the Czech Republic and on September 10 against Montenegro. Finnish matches are shown live on channels.