Volleyball player Eemi Tervaportti joined the ranks of Ukraine’s silver team last season. The country’s volleyball league is running despite the war.
– I thought that it might not be the most ideal solution to go to a country that is at war.
Eemi Terportti however, finally decided to go to Ukraine to play volleyball. The 34-year-old player, who has seen a lot in his career, still had a contract with the Polish club Jastrzebski Wegiel in the summer.
The Ukrainian club VC Epicentr-Podolyanyn, which only existed for four years, contacted Terportti in the summer and asked about his interest in playing for Ukraine’s silver team last season.
Ukraine has been at war with Russia for almost two years. The situation naturally made the experienced top passer think.
Terportti already had friends from that team who gave their recommendations. One teammate had played with Tervaport at the same time in Greece and the other in Holland.
– I also talked a lot with the club. Finding out that things are as good as they can be in a country at war, Terportorti opens up the background of his decision.
Epicentr-Podolyany originates from Horodoki.
The club assured the Finnish player that safety is guaranteed at the place.
– We are in such an area that there is no danger. The place is 600–700 kilometers from the war zone, says Tervaportti.
I was interested in sports betting
The contract with the Polish club would have covered this season. However, Epicentr-Podolyany reached an agreement with Tervaport’s old club about buying out the contract.
Terportti was fascinated by the club’s promising sporting situation. It had acquired a head coach from Brazil, an assistant coach from France and a physical coach from Serbia.
– Here, investment has been made in player and coach acquisitions. The assumptions have only been confirmed during the week I’ve been here.
The Ukrainian volleyball league is basically running normally. The season is played in a tournament format in one city.
There are eight teams in the double series.
– Two games will be played during the weekend. We don’t travel at all, says Terportorti.
My problems are small
Tervaporti didn’t have any real fears about going to Ukraine, but he admits that the country’s situation inevitably creeps into his mind.
– That aspect was always in mind that there was a war going on there. You can’t just go there.
Terporti’s team includes players from eastern Ukraine who have seen the horrors of war up close.
– Your own problems seem very small when you listen to what has happened in their hometowns. Puts things into a different perspective. They try to live as normal a life as possible, even though the war is always present.
– Of course, a lot revolves around the war, because that country is at war, Terportorti adds.
Terporti’s national team career is probably over
Epicentr-Podolyany starts the season with very high goals. According to Terporti, the championship is the minimum requirement.
The team also wants to succeed in the Eurocup. Even last week, the game was a long search from a group that is only in the welding phase.
– In my opinion, we have a good physical team. There is potential to play really good volleyball. The game was still full of mistakes in the CEV Cup. I believe that with good training we can play good volleyball, Terportorti sees.
The 34-year-old Tervaportti has been one of the key players of the Finnish national team for years.
Terportorti was still part of Finland’s European Championship team last summer, but it has been speculated that the end of his career with the national team will happen soon.
– I never close the door completely. If I feel I can help the team, then I will be available. However, the entire summer national team activity is over for me.
– No Mikko Esko too have never stopped. There may always be a need. With these views, that page has been turned.