Akaa-Volley’s continuation place is one of the biggest Finnish men’s volleyball surprises in the European Games in recent years.
Akaa-Volley already tuned up quite a Finnish volleyball racket a week ago in Turkey and took it to the end on Tuesday in their home hall.
As a continuation of the 3-1 victory over Arkas Izmir away, Akaa-Volley defeated the Turkish team 3-0 in the second part (25-23, 28-26, 25-16) and advanced to the Challenge Cup.
Arkas already won the Turkish Supercup this season and the qualification for the Balkan region, which entitles to the Challenge Cup. Last season, the team was in the semi-finals of the CEV Cup and the losing side in the final of the Turkish Cup.
For Aka, it was enough to win the first two sets for the next place. The next spot was decided by the fourth set ball of the second set. The head coach of the third round Olli Kunnari four new men marched onto the field and Arkas’ Canadian manager also gave playing time to the substitutes Glenn Hoag.
In Tuesday’s match, Akaa had an excellent attack percentage of 56 against the visitors’ 47. Been in quite a bit of pass bombing Sakari Mäkinen did 14/+4 and a chopper Jaylen Jasper 12/+11. A German chipper feared by guests György Grozer scored 14/+10 in two sets.
In the next round, Akaa-Volley will face Slovenia’s Panvita Pomgrad Murska Sobota, who directly qualified for the round in November. The first leg will be played on November 12-14. between at home and 20.11. in the guests.
Pomgrad, made up entirely of Slovenian players, was fourth in the country’s league last season. It has started this season’s league with two losses. The winner of this pair of matches will face Kladno (Czech Republic), Zalau (Romania) and Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) in the quarterfinals.