Sammelvuo started as the head coach of the Canadian national team a year ago. In October, he led the canucks from the Chinese Olympic qualifiers to next summer’s Paris Olympics.
Tuomas Sammelvuo has already experienced a lot as a national team volleyball coach. Right after his playing career ended, Sammelvuo from Pudasjärvi was appointed head coach of the Finnish national team. As the head coach of the domestic national team, the toughest challenge was the national team’s 9th place in the 2014 World Championships in Poland. The road took him east to coach after six years at the helm of the Finnish national team.
In 2019, the Finnish and Russian sports federations confirmed Sammelvuo’s transfer as the head coach of the Russian national team. The highlight of his coaching career in the Russian national team was the fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Sammelvuo’s contract with the Russian national team ended in 2021.
After this, Sammelvuo had discussions about the head coach of the French national team, but the position did not open up.
At the end of 2022, Sammelvuo was named coach of the Canadian national volleyball team.
Wanted coach in Canada
Sammelvuo says that he wanted above all to return to coaching the national team.
– The Canadian executives have been familiar for many years. There has also been a big generational change of players in Canada. They asked me to coach for the third time. A new project was about to start, it was good to be a part of it, says Sammelvuo.
Sammelvuo led Canada to second place in the eight-team Olympic qualifying group at the beginning of October, and thus to next summer’s Paris Olympics. Only 12 countries are selected for the Olympics.
– For example, Italy will not be a big volleyball country in the future, although it will probably be based on the ranking. However, seven countries are there and we are one of them, Sammelvuo enthuses.
– The result is completely incomprehensible for our team! The key to that was winning the first two games, Holland and Argentina. The door was then open to a possible Olympic place. I guess no one expected this.
Sammelvuo says that the team’s growth during the summer has been enormous.
– The preparation period for the Olympic qualification was also great. We started preparing already six weeks before the North American championships. We spent a week in Canada and eight days in Japan before the Chinese Olympic qualifying tournament, top coach times.
Canada’s national volleyball team was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. None of the players from the Olympic team are anymore in the team led by Sammelvuo.
The traditions of the Canadian national team have been long for more than ten years. According to Sammelvuo, the national team is backed by large groups that do a tremendous amount of work. The 47-year-old Sammelvuo has proven that he is a coach who gets results. He himself does not feel that he has any tricks from the coach’s book up his sleeve.
– There are no secrets. There are no secrets in any place where success comes’. The higher the level, the simpler things are. Everyone just gives their all every day.
Towards the Olympics
Tuomas Sammelvuo thanks the former head coach of the national team Glenn Hoagwho has built a great culture in the Canadian national team.
– Thanks to him, I myself know where Canadian volleyball is going at the moment. We have a youth national team and then also a triple team. We are in very close cooperation with the entire Canadian volleyball coaching. What matters most is what will happen in the coming years.
However, Canada is not satisfied, in Sammelvuo’s words, with the Olympic selection.
– We just can’t imagine that we are some of the biggest heroes now. The Olympic place was a big deal, but the daily work and everyday life now decides everything.
The Olympics will be held in Paris next summer from July 26 to 11. August. In volleyball, Olympic gold is being contested for the 16th time.
Sources: Thaiger: Canada secured a spot at the Paris Summer Olympics.