The Finnish men’s national volleyball team plays its last matches of the Golden League group stage in Tampere. Passari Fedor Ivanov is enjoying the increased responsibility.
The Finnish men’s national volleyball team will meet in the last two games of the Golden League group stage on June 14. Czech and 17.6. Estonian. shows the matches on its channels. Broadcast of Wednesday’s Czech match on TV2 and Areena at 18:00.
A place in the final tournament of the Golden League of volleyball is still in the hands of the Finnish men’s national team.
Finland is in third place in Group C, tied with second place Estonia. On Saturday, Finland suffered a harsh 0-3 away loss to group jumbo Slovakia, but at the same time, the top Czech Republic suffered the same fate when handling Estonia.
Finland, which is two points behind the Czech Republic, will face the Czech Republic on Wednesday, June 14 and Estonia on Saturday, June 17 in its last two group matches.
The winner of the three groups of the Golden League advances to the final tournament played in Croatia on Midsummer’s Day, in which the host country also participates.
Experienced passer of the team Fedor Ivanov the idea of a midsummer celebration abroad is tempting.
– It would be a new experience. In the past, I have celebrated Midsummer in Tahko, for example. I would like it, Ivanov laughed.
General player Luka Marttila trusts that Finland will grab the next place.
– It’s in your own hands. Two three-point wins should open up a place in the final tournament. No need to watch the results of other games. If we play well, we will get there. It’s pretty clear.
From Wednesday’s Czech match, Marttila expects a hard hit.
– Compared to Slovakia, there are tougher guys there. They play such power volleyball. The punches are coming hard. We’ll get by with a fast and a little dirty game.
A young and hungry team
The national volleyball team plays in the Golden League with a young team with nine players born in the 21st century. The oldest player in the team is the captain born in 1996 Antti Ronkainen.
Ivanov has been able to play as the number one passer when he has experience Eemi Terportti at least not yet with the national team after his tough and successful season with the club team.
Ivanov, who represents the Bundesliga club Giesen, has tasted the increased responsibility.
– I have been the number one passer in the club team. It hasn’t been so much necessary to watch the game from the corner. The first couple of years in the national team was just watching from the corner. Those were also instructive years. Now I’m really happy that I got to play.
The 22-year-old Ivanov has the fourth most national team games of the young team under his belt. The experience has also brought responsibility.
– I’m going to be the one who has to be the leader and show how things work. I kind of liked it. You have to take over a new role and areas. It’s not as easy as I originally thought. You have to be an example in what you do every day.
Marttila sees the young team as an asset.
– It’s more of an advantage. Every player is hungry and they go all out in training. We have a desire to show off.
The match between Finland and the Czech Republic starts on Wednesday at 6 p.m. will show the match live on TV2 and Areena.
Ivanov and Marttila were interviewed by Jani Saari.