Antti Siltala and Olli-Pekka Ojansivu, who have seen almost everything in volleyball, will end their careers in the Finnish Championship finals – pressure will be missed: “You can’t get out of everyday life elsewhere”

Antti Siltala38, and Olli-Pekka Ojansivu, 34, will end their meritorious volleyball career after the ongoing SM finals. Savo Volley’s experienced duo, who are chasing the championship league, say they will end their careers due to injuries.

Siltala and Ojansivu have seen almost everything on their volleyball tour. The experienced war horses of the Finnish national team have both played more than 200 national matches and represented Finland at the World Championships and European Championships.

Although both have a large career both in Finland and abroad, Siltala, who is more experienced than the two, is missing one thing. He has not won a single Finnish championship in his main series career, which began in 2001. Teammate Ojansivu wants to offer Siltala the best possible outcome in the ongoing Finnish Championship finals.

– The fact that “Herring” doesn’t have a championship yet would make it even sweeter to win it. I have already enjoyed them myself, but I don’t have to compare them myself, lest I want more of them, Ojansivu of the four Finnish championships tells Urheilu.

– Still, it would be best for me to have one Finnish championship for “Herring”.

Siltala himself admits that the championship would taste good for him too. He has one Belgian championship in his pocket for his career.

– I would like it most for the club and its growth story, he says.

Decisions to quit were both made more due to the resilience of the body than the mind. Both Ojansivu and Siltala are left out of the volleyball due to shoulder injuries, the latter also due to other injuries on the way. Both would have wanted to keep playing.

– In principle, however, I should have taken an intermediate year. It would be a pretty tough job at this age, and when the fun of everyday life is gone, with the exception of the finals, the time is now, Siltala will back up his own decision.

– For myself, the results of the magnetic resonance imaging I received a month ago finally settled the matter. According to them, it is no longer worth playing. The mind would have done more, but that’s why it’s easier that the decision came through the body. You can’t even grieve it then, Ojansivu says.

Ojansivu and Siltala, who have been playing together in Savo Volley since 2018, will get off to a good start when they are asked to comment on each other. Praise rains when they tell what will leave Finnish volleyball courts with the second stop.

– We will lose the most skilled chipper in the world. “Toy” is a skillful guy and an amazing person. He always gets along with him. I like that he speaks directly. And I also like that he sometimes talks about it, Siltala starts from Ojansivu.

– After all, we haven’t had such a friend in Finland, when maybe Tuomas Sammelvuon. “Herring” is never given up. He has always been such a leader and captain that someone should grow really much so that their role can even be fulfilled, Ojansivu is responsible for Siltala.

When you ask them the same question about themselves, the answers are humble and even humorous.

– That stupid gimmick who always manages to chat with everyone and usually smiles leaves the fields. The biggest relief for others is probably that I leave the locker room, they can be at peace then, Ojansivu laughs.

– You only have to ask others this. At least one player (leaves), Siltala acknowledges with a smile.

Both volleyball warriors playing towards the end of their careers equally mention that they are particularly in need of pressure situations from volleyball courts.

– Not exactly this kind of stress and pressure endurance that this species brings can be found elsewhere in everyday life. At least on the same level, that feeling is different. Although I haven’t finished yet, I think I’ll miss it, Siltala ponders.

– I have always liked pressure situations and therefore playing even more. I guess you can’t get the same kind of pressure space in your living room at home. Or well, how do you know that! The ditch page is joking.

Both appreciate the fact that they have been able to make their lifestyle a profession. In addition to the pressure, the lack of a locker room for both of them and the “family community” around the volleyball team will surely cause a longing.

So what does the duo not miss?

– Pain. The fact that you need to hit a thorn or eat pills to be able to go to the field and be able to give your all in the game, Ojansivu says.

– Ditch page. No, I can’t get rid of him, he almost lives next door, Siltala throws.

Neither volleyball can stay far away from the volleyball in the future, even if the games end.

– Of course it stays with me, I’m going to go to the auditorium as my first act to judge everything. I shout from there right after the first ball that “exchanges”! Ojansivu laughs with a familiar smile on his face.

However, the duo still have a lot to offer in the field, even though the injuries plague. In the third Finnish Championship final, Savo won an important victory against VaLePa in the away match. Siltala and Ojansivu jumped back into the lineup after a break from one match and the result came. Siltala scored 14 points in Sastamala, while Ojansivu scored six with ten passes.

The state of play was not a matter of course for either. Ojansivu, who suffered from a shoulder injury, said on Thursday that help had to be sought from pain medication before he could even hit the ball.

– With strong medication, I got myself fit. I’m not in the best mood, but I can do something. Positive energy will be brought to the field with Siltala, Ojansivu told STT after the match.

The Savo Volley – VaLePa final series is 1-2. Four wins are required for the Finnish championship in the Champions League finals. The fourth match of the series will be played on Sunday in Kuopio.