Two series points opened the doors to next year’s EC final tournament for the Finnish volleyball men, but the final seal remained until next Wednesday in Turku. Finland’s winning numbers were 3–2 over Austria (25-20, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13).
On Wednesday, August 17, Latvia will face Turku Kupitta in the ball sports hall. With a win or even with a 2–3 loss, Finland advances from the match as the group winner to the Games. If Finland loses the game, the group win will be decided in the final game of the group between Latvia and Austria next Sunday.
In addition to the group winners, the best four or five from the second group will also make it to the European Championships, and even in that group, Finland already has a really great position with eight series points, even without winning the last game.
Finland’s extensive material rose to an important role when, for example, Niko Suihkonen came from the bench to a big role as an all-rounder duo Antti Ronkainen – Sakari Mäkinen as the game coughs through the evening. The Finnish sevens had three different players in the final set (Suihkonen, Jiri Hänninen and Tommi Siirilä) than at the start of the game.
Considering the whole qualifiers, the fourth round was important for Finland and at the same time quite a thriller. Austria went up to 23-23, but Siirilä made a great save and the set clicked for Finland 25-23.
In the final set, Austria sneaked into a two-point lead (8–6) before the change of sides. Finland moved Severi Savonsalmen leading with a save to a 12–11 lead. Tommi Siirilä’s pass broke Austria’s reception well, and Finland got a two-point difference on the board, 13–11. From the second match ball, Savonsalmi hit the deciding nail on the floor Fedor Ivanov serving.
Finland’s score:
Aaro Nikula 17/+7
Niko Suihkonen 15/+7
Sakari Mäkinen 7/-3
Antti Ronkainen 6/0
Severi Savonsalmi 13/+10
Nuutti Niinivaara 6/+5
Fedor Ivanov 3/+2
Tommi Siirilä 3/+3
Jiri Hänninen 3/+1