Vammala Volleyball celebrates the seventh Finnish volleyball men’s championship in club history. In the seventh final match, Valppa defeated Savo Volley in Kuopio 3–0.
23.4. 18:41 • Updated April 23rd. 20:26
Vammala Volleyball did not allow Savo Volley to celebrate at home, as it defeated the Savoans in Kuopio after three rounds of fighting 3–0 (25–19, 25–23, 25–20).
The most important player in Sastamala was the chipper Matias Tihumäkiby a passer-by Mikko Esko fed hard during the first two batches. Tihumäki had time to hit 16 points before injuring his shoulder at the end of the second set and had to leave the field.
However, VaLePa was not confused by the injury of its chipper, as other solvers were found in its ranks. Sakari Mäkinen, Mikko Karjarinta and Severi Savonsalmi finished effectively. In addition to the visitor, Savo Volley also made it easier to score points with his mistakes.
Savo Volley, who made a huge rise in the previous match, did not get his sled to turn this time. The home team’s power was too much to be shifted to the chipper in the sixth final game Michael Michelaun depends on, and though Andrus Raadik indeed succeeded in scoring points from time to time, the Estonian player also made a lot of mistakes. Michelau scored 15 points and his power reading was +7, Raadi’s balance was 11 / -3.
Tihumäki deservedly received praise from his teammates after the match. The player, who is only 21 years old in May, rose to become the team’s number one chopper in the middle of the season and was able to fill the big boots in the playoffs.
– We have to raise the hat of our young chipper, Tihumäki, who came to the game with the attitude that he is going to win gold today. It was easy for us to follow it, Sakari Mäkinen, who was responsible for VaLePA’s points in previous matches and has now knocked 15 points, told Sport.
In addition to Tihumäki, 43-year-old Mikko Esko, who saw and experienced everything, glowed with the growth story of his team. Esko was part of the team’s veteran department, but otherwise a big bunch of young players were found in the line-up.
– We were strong at the end of the batches and we were mentally strong this time as well. That mental strength hasn’t been present in every game, but luckily in this last one we were tough, Esko said.
In his long career, Esko has never played in the final series for the seventh match and stated that he has not experienced such before. More than 2,000 spectators had arrived at Kuopio Hall and kept the atmosphere from start to finish. VaLePA had the opportunity to celebrate the championship in the previous match in Sastamala, but at that time Savo Volley rose from a 0–2 loss to a 3–2 victory.
– The bad feeling I had after that game, at least for me, was so awful. It was supposed to be reset, but it stayed a little frozen. Everyone wanted to show that this is not our level. We came here, we were calm and we knew what to do. Savo must have made us more nervous, that is the solution, Esko thought.
Esko assured that he was not going to celebrate the championship for very long and appealed his age. Instead, Mäkinen, who was celebrating his third championship, calculated that the national team camp would start in May.
– There will be a target, but before that it will be reset enough, Mäkinen said and praised the atmosphere of the final.
– I guess it’s going to be one of the finest finals of all time, definitely. There was quite a roller coaster and both had their own moments. These were absolutely shocking events here in Kuopio. I will remember these moments forever.
Savo’s head coach Timo Tolvanen was extremely disappointed after the match and couldn’t find words to describe the team’s emotional state.
– Lots of downloads, lots of feeling, opportunities. Sometimes it always feels a little barren, and times just aren’t favorable for us or balls bounce on us, Tolvanen noted.
– In the second installment we led towards the end, then we blocked the guy with the ball in the face and the ball drops to our side. The next ball comes through the net … The whole series has been really small. Happiness must be earned. Apparently we haven’t earned it. I guess it goes then.
VaLePa has now won seven Finnish championships since 2012. Savo Volley also finished silver last season. The careers of two legendary Finnish players also ended in the seventh final match, as Captain Savo Volley Antti Siltala and Olli-Pekka “Toy” Ojansivu leave playing fields for this season. Both suffer from shoulder injuries.
Known as the color of the volleyball court, Ojansivu was unable to play in the final match at all. However, he has been able to celebrate the Finnish championship four times in the ranks of Pielavesi Sampo and Kokkola Tigers. However, Antti Siltala’s extensive career lacked a championship.
– Not in itself terribly annoying now. There was a great feeling here and it was shown that Savo knows how to play volleyball. Two medals this year, Siltala reminded and pointed to Savo Volley winning the Finnish Cup.
After the losing final, Siltala did not remember her own career other than to say that it is long.
– It has given, but it has taken. Quite a happy ending to this.
However, Siltala promised to continue dealing with volleyball, and more will be heard next week.
Will there be coach news?
– Guess in peace, Siltala said as usual.
Kari Salmela interviewed the players and Timo Tolva.