Hujanen, who was applied for the role of a general player, praises the framework of FC Barcelona, even though the volleyball side is not the sports giant’s top priority.
An all-round player who has also been seen in the Finnish national volleyball team Hilkka Hujanen moved to the Spanish premier league at the beginning of January. The new club can be found in Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, where the Finn can wear the legendary Blaugrana colors.
Hujanen represents CV Barcelona, which is part of FC Barcelona’s club complex, in the main league in the Superliga.
In the past, the sporting power of FC Barcelona has been represented by a footballer from Finland Jari Litmanen (1999–2001) and a basketball player Petteri Koponen (2016–2018). Hujanen is also the only Finnish player in the volleyball league at the moment.
In the fall, Hujanen was looking for a place to play harder than the Swedish main league with his agent. During the search, Barcelona sent an offer that was easy to accept.
He was familiar with the city from holiday trips and the conditions are right in the company. Playing in Spain had been Hujanen’s dream for a long time.
Nothing is perfect in Barcelona. Women’s volleyball activities are in a marginal position compared to Barcelona’s football, handball and basketball. The club is still able to offer the Finn a salary he says he can get by on.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t go abroad to play.
– However, we are not talking about the same sums that are paid to Barcelona’s men’s soccer stars, Hujanen laughs.
Hujanen got the team’s 10th shirt as the crown of the transfer.
Can Barcelona be saved?
CV Barcelona’s situation in the main league is currently bleak. Relegation from the series is close, because after 15 rounds the team has won only once. There are only seven game rounds left. The difference to the last place is eight points.
Hujas has three matches behind him. He describes that he got the responsibility very quickly, although he is still getting used to the environment.
– I am in love with this series. The style of play here is really aggressive, and I like to play against tough players.
Hujanen’s contract covers the rest of the season. There have been no discussions about the next season.
The 26-year-old general player has also been seen in the Finnish national team. In the last European Championship qualifiers, he was a reserve in the national team and did not make it.
New winds are now blowing in the national team, when the Swiss head coach By Nikolas Buser the contract ended last year. If the national team calls, Hujanen does not hesitate to take the opportunity.
– It’s hard to know what the new coach is looking for from the team. I’m focusing on making my own dune here. Being in the national team is always a big deal for me.
After the season, Hujanen plans to spend time in his home region in Savonlinna, where he organizes a volleyball camp in the summer.