Finland’s women’s volleyball team lost to the group’s pre-favorite Czech Republic in the EC qualifying match at Seinäjoki. However, the loss did not affect the pursuit of a European Championship place.
Hinn Hirvonen,
Manu Myllyaho
24.8. 21:45•Updated 24.8. 22:07
In their second match of the European Championship qualifiers, the Finnish women’s national volleyball team lost to the group’s pre-favorite Czech Republic 0–3 (24–26, 20–25, 23–25).
Despite the sloppy set readings, especially in the first and third sets, Finland put the pre-favorites in the group. Captain Kaisa Alanko felt that the home team would have deserved more from the match.
– We had a chance to take a game or two. That was exactly where the match would have turned. It’s really sad that we didn’t get to cut the parts, Alanko said in an interview with Urheilu.
The beginning of the match was difficult for Finland, but after the initial difficulties, Finland got in and was very close to winning the set. Finland had five set points, but in the end the Czech Republic won the set 26–24.
– The game might have been different if we had taken it. Yes, it was annoying, but we agreed as a group that we will get over this and try to continue, like the Montenegro game, which was in a terrible mood Suvi Kokkonen regretted.
Kokkonen, who moved to Germany for this season, was Finland’s best scorer again with 21/+13, and received thanks for her performance from both the captain and the head coach Tapio from Kangasniemi as well. Kokkonen himself reacted modestly to the praise.
– You can thank Kaisa when I get so much food!
In the third set, after a catastrophic start, Finland had an incredible finish, when the home team came back ten points behind. However, the Czech Republic took the lead again and took the set 25–23.
– It’s a shame, because the Czech Republic was the early favorite in the group, but we realized in the game that we could have won. This game fell due to my own stupid mistakes and messy situations, Kokkonen regretted.
Head coach Kangasniemi, who is stepping down after the EC qualifiers, admitted that the opponent was better. The pre-favorite of the group, the Czech Republic, can be found in the European ranking in 12th place, while Finland is 24th.
– We lack a bit of routine compared to the Czech Republic. They could probably hold that level until tomorrow morning. They have played so much together and are so experienced. At times we played a really good game, the kind of game a game should be, Kangasniemi saw.
The Finnish team has been tormented by absences. About choppers Maid Korhonen was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Iina Andrikopoulou missed out due to illness, why Yasmine Madsen is practically the only chipper on the team. Central player Anna Czakan is also on the sidelines due to illness.
Next up is the block throw bag
Finland continues the EC qualifiers on Saturday when it meets Iceland in Salo. Iceland is already the weakest team in the group, so Finland can only win the match.
– The opponent must not be underestimated at all. Even though we lost now, I think our own game is in a good shape now. As long as we keep our game and stay as a team, I believe that victory will come to us, Kokkonen talked.
However, the loss to the Czech Republic did not affect the European championship dreams of Finland, which is chasing a third place in a row, because the two best teams in the qualifying groups advance to the final tournament of the European Championship. In the opening match of the EC qualifiers, Finland claimed an important 3–1 victory over Montenegro, and is now second in the group.
In the second match of the evening, Montenegro picked up its opening win of the EC qualifiers when it defeated Iceland 3–0 (25–7, 25–18, 25–17).
After Saturday’s home match against Iceland, Finland will still face Iceland (September 3) and the Czech Republic (September 7) on the away field, and will finish the EC qualifiers in Joensuu on September 10. against Montenegro.