VaLePa captain Mikko Esko thinks that Akaa-Volley was not ready for the first final of the volleyball Championship League. The team from Sastamala, seeking a sixth consecutive championship, was again.
Sastamala’s VaLePa is seeking its sixth consecutive volleyball Championship League championship. The first tie came from the home match surprisingly easily straight 3–0 (25–18, 25–22, 25–14), when four wins are needed for the SM gold.
– We were very ready to play this first final and Aka didn’t seem to be there, VaLePa’s experienced captain Mikko Esko stated after the game was paused.
VaLePa was better in every aspect of the match. According to Esko, the game was about playing for one goal and the team had clearly learned from the semi-final, where Savo Volley claimed a sweet 3–0 victory in the first match. Because of this, VaLePa had its back against the wall twice, but still rose from the chasing position to victory.
– That’s a great asset and it’s great to play those games. Especially when you overcome those difficulties, it makes the team grow tremendously, Esko said.
– Those back-to-the-wall situations have given us a lot as a team. We have had to constantly develop our own game and think about what we can improve. We are definitely mentally stronger.
Passari Esko was able to run the game in the match as usual and scorers were found in the entire six. Chopper Urpo Sivula finished with 13 points, Jacob Ekman completed the points balance with 11 and Karli Allik with 10 points.
The scorers of Akaa-Volley were left speechless. Sauli Sinkkonen and Gregory Petty finished with 8 points, but Petty was minus (-3) in power readings. Chopper Ali Fazli got only 7 points.
– We expected a stronger contribution from the chipper Fazli, and Petty has been really strong in those semi-final matches. Probably there will be an improvement for the next game. It’s unlikely that we’ll get away with it this easily, Esko estimates, and he doesn’t think that the championship will be lost by walking over.
– Set and game at a time must go. In the second set, we also got some indications that if a little bit looser. However, the guy made it 20-20, even though we already had a lead of several points. Doesn’t get ahead of things at all.
In the first bronze match, Raision Loimu defeated Savo Volley 3–2 (19–25, 21–25, 25–21, 21–25, 15–9) in the match played in Kuopio. The bronze medals come off with two wins.
The medal games of the Volleyball Championship League continue on Friday in Akaa and Raisio.
Mikko Esko was interviewed by Panu Markkanen.