Finnish women’s volleyball players have a hard time tonight – Spain is practically a must-win

Before the last two matches, Finland is locked in the second place in Group D of the European Volleyball Championship. The team lost to France 0-3 on Sunday, but according to the expert, Spain is beatable.

Finland will face Spain in the European volleyball championships on Monday at 20:00. You can watch the match live at Areena. The broadcast starts at 19:50.

The settings of the Finnish women’s national volleyball team for the last two group stage matches of the European Championship are clear. We have to win against Spain, because even one set win from Holland, who are great in the sport, would be a huge surprise. The women of Finland are aiming for a historic place in the first group.

– Finland has good chances in the match against Spain. I don’t doubt for a second that Finland has everything in the game, ‘s expert Riikka Lehtonen wow

After three rounds of matches, Spain is fifth in the group with one point. Finland is fourth with two points and tied for the last place.

On Sunday, Finland lost to France 0–3 (25–22, 25–22, 25–14). Lehtonen saw promising signs in the game in terms of continuation despite the loss.

– Finland’s midfield has taken steps forward and was excellent in the France game as well. Finland has also broken the reception of the opponents with its passing, Lehtonen analysed.

The Spain match is Finland’s third in three days. This is also why the success of Finland’s substitutes against France warms Lehtonen’s heart. 14 points forged Yasmine Madsen and also successful against Estonia Daniela Öhman played good matches.

– At the beginning of the Games, it was a puzzle how extensive the material would be in Finland. Such entrances have been important, Lehtonen emphasizes.

The pace of the game does not discourage the team

Öhman said after the match against France that the historic opportunity to reach the next round motivates and brings energy to the team. The pace of play in the prestigious championships did not bother the central defender.

– These are such great events that it gives enough additional energy, 26-year-old Öhman expressed the mood in an interview with .

Lehtonen says that getting the body to rest even after a mentally taxing match can be difficult. However, he is on the same lines as Öhman about the charge brought by the prestigious competitions.

– Of course everyone feels tired, but it’s not worth giving it power. These are such great opportunities that you should focus on what you want, that is to topple Spain, he says.

Brilliant against Estonia Suvi Kokkonen played less and more slowly against France, but according to Lehtonen, the distribution of responsibility to others can be a good thing for the team’s continuation.

– I believe that Suvi will really hit against Spain, Lehtonen says.

Spain has a clear strength

Spain won two sets against France, but the team lost 0–3 to Slovakia and the Netherlands. Finland’s head coach Nicholas Buser said that Spain is difficult to defend as the team attacks really fast.

Lehtonen estimates that Finland must be successful in its own passing game so that it becomes difficult for Spain to attack and the team cannot play its fast game.

– That way, Finland would get its own interception defense in place.

Lehtonen emphasizes the importance of versatility. Öhmanin, Netta Rekolan and recovering from a finger injury to match against Spain Roosa Laakkonen in the lead, the middle game must succeed again.

In addition, the reception in Finland must allow a passport Kaisa Alango seams run the game. Lehtonen insists that the personal receiving game must be raised to a higher level.

– When the ball came up against France, Alanko created a lot of one-on-one situations, Lehtonen praises the experienced passer.

Before the last two rounds of matches, Estonia, which is at the bottom of the group, is also fighting for the next place. Even with a win over Spain, Finland will definitely not be in the future.

However, Lehtonen is charging all expectations for Monday’s fight, because Holland, who will play on Wednesday, is clearly the number one team in the group.

According to the expert, Finland can go to the match against the Netherlands without any pressure, that’s how big the preliminary favorite is Nelonen from the last games.

– The Netherlands is ahead of the other teams in the group in every area. For example, they are a significantly more physical team than others, Lehtonen praises the long-term winner of the prestigious championships.