American Courtney VanLiew thought he knew where he was going after signing his first professional contract with Kuusamo. However, the 24-year-old all-rounder has been able to notice during the fall how the darkness can affect a person.
– I really had to adapt to the cold and dark. I’ve already learned to live with the cold, but the darkness is something else entirely. I’ve spent a lot of time in front of my ultraviolet lamp trying to collect light, VanLiew says with a laugh.
– I was prepared and aware, and still I chose Kuusamo. Can’t wait, how dark it is and how it affects the body.
For a 25-year-old For Lexi Pollard The Nordic countries became familiar already a few years ago, when he played in Sweden. The home of the left-handed Canadian hacker was in southern Brazil last season, so in that sense, Kuusamo has been a different experience in his professional career.
– There is a big difference in temperature and culture. Finland has a lot in common with Canada, so I have adapted well. It’s not that dark in Canada, but Sweden prepared for the early evenings quite well.
In addition to Sweden, Pollard has also played in Germany, but each country has its own special characteristics. The Finnish food culture and versatile offer have impressed the duo.
– I don’t eat gluten or lactose at all, and there are many options to eat healthily here. It was a positive surprise and it’s really great, Pollard praises.
– The surprise was how good the food is in Finland. You never know in advance whether you will like it or not. There were many good Christmas dishes too, and I like to try new things in new cultures, says VanLiew.
The team is working and the profits are rolling in
The team that won the two previous Finnish championships has five foreign players, and the five bring each other a lot of joy in everyday life. Pollard and VanLiew praise the team’s unity and good spirit, which is made even better by the long bus trips around Finland.
– Sometimes I miss home, but we are with the team a lot and that helps to compensate. Video calls with family and friends also help, says Pollard.
– Especially for a newcomer, it’s easier when we have older players who bring experience and know what it’s like to play in different countries. We get along really well as a team on and off the field. I think that will also help us succeed, VanLiew continues.
A good spirit has also brought results. Even though the European games ended short in handling the French Nantes, in the Champions League in 13 winning games Sotiris Gkotsis the group has lost only four sets.
If you rewind, the previous defeat on the domestic courts is from January. There are already a whopping 31 wins in the pipeline, and by the end of it all, the streak will be one year old next month.
– Coaching does a really good job preparing us for matches. Anyone can take responsibility at any time, and if there are difficulties in one area, we can compensate with other things, Pollard explains.
– The goal for next year is to continue winning and developing. We’ve talked about wanting to play our best games in the spring playoffs.
To Spain and the United States for Christmas
Although it would be exotic to experience Christmas also in Northeast Finland, both Pollard and VanLiew are heading away from Finland. The five-day vacation is short, and Kuusamo will play a home game against Hämeenlinna already on January 3.
Pollard travels to Spain to meet his good friend and his sister.
– I love Christmas and when I can be with family and friends eating good food. It’s not nice to be apart from them.
VanLiew took a gap year from volleyball after graduating college, but has rediscovered the spark for the sport. For him, family is really important, and even though his time at home in the United States will be short, he still wants to make the trip and get power for the second half of the season.
– I realized that I’m a big Christmas person when I came to Finland and thought about my options for this time. When I realized I could go home to visit family and Christmas traditions, it helped me realize how important Christmas really is.
VanLiew has not seen Santa Claus yet, but during the away game trip to Rovaniemi, the team visited Santa’s Pajakylä. On the other hand, Puki’s important attraction parties have already become very familiar at home.
– Reindeer are the best thing in Kuusamo! Every time I see one, it surprises me. We take pictures of them and we are so happy that we can see reindeer all the time, VanLiew is happy.