Vammala Volleyball has won the six previous men’s Finnish championships. Will anyone be able to stop the championship streak in the season that starts on Saturday?
VaLePa passari who celebrated his 45th birthday at the beginning of September Mikko Esko assures that he will be in at least as good shape as before in the opening match of the men’s league season on Saturday.
– My results have improved compared to last season in physical training. For example, the squat result was better, I can run like before and jump, explains Esko.
Esko will start his 11th season in VaLePa and his ninth in a row. After no less than 14 seasons spent abroad, Esko returned to his 1995–97 club. He and VaLePa missed out on silver in the spring of 2016, but since then there have been six championships in a row. And if it had been played in the spring of 2020, then perhaps seven.
– In the starting season, the goal is the seventh gold in a row. But you can’t get that by signing up for the series, remember that Akaa-Volley, Hurrikaani and Savo Volley also start the championship season with a realistic goal, Esko estimates.
Age doesn’t matter
Even though it has been six championships in a row, Esko assures the motivation to improve and win.
– Someone said that the 45-year-old couldn’t take the training a little easier? I personally feel that it’s the opposite. Of course, I don’t train more than before, but you can always train better and all year round, says Esko.
In last spring’s finals, VaLePa defeated Akaa-Volley 4–0. Olli Kunnarin the group that continues in training will arrive in Sastamala on Saturday in the mood for revenge to watch the championship flag be raised.
– Akaa has reformed more than we have. Neither of them is playing well, but there is time until spring. Winning will certainly be as fun as before, Esko assures.
In Esko’s opinion, the motivation has always been increased by new players this season and in previous ones as well.
– We have a new team this year as well and there is plenty to learn. For example, those washed up as starting general players Aleksandar (Andonovic) and Gabriel (Franca) are unwritten cards, Esko estimates.
From general players to the stars of the league last season Karli Allik moved to Israel and Sakari Mäkinen To Holland. Serbia’s Andonovic and Brazil’s Franca have not been convincing in practice matches.
Ilves fan
A chipper from last season’s VaLePa stars Urpo Sivula and middle player Jacob Ekman will continue, and the responsibility in the attack will increase if the general players do not improve.
– There is more in common with Upi. We both support Ilves. I hope (hockey coach) Antti Pennanen transfer to the national team can be handled in the team and they will finally win, Esko hopes, referring to the rumors circulating in the media Jukka Jalonen successor to pilot of the Lions.
Esko started his coaching studies in Kuortane last spring. In the summer he founded his wife Saara Esko with a company that is supposed to offer a career and livelihood after the playing career.