Estonia shock Finland with five-set win, Belgium claim top spot in Pool C

In the final day of Pool C in Tampere, Estonia emerged victorious from an epic five-set battle with Finland 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 15-11) to prevent the local heroes from finishing at the top of the pool standings. In the previous match, Belgium cruised to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-16) demolition of Serbia and, after Estonia's win, the Red Dragons secured first place in the group. 

Finland vs Estonia 2-3 (25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 11-15)

In the final match of Pool C Finland wanted to give their fans one last win at the Nokia Arena. With Joonas Jokela celebrating his cap no. 100 with the National Team and the voice of Olivia Kunnari, niece of head coach Olli Kunnari, who sang the National anthem in front of 9'813 people, the atmosphere was really heated up from the first whistle. Finland played in a smooth way, all the shots from the Marttila’s brothers and Jokela didn’t find much resistance from Estonia. Just a little feat at the end of the set, when Renee Teppan at 23-20 for the Finns scored two aces in a row, but then again Nooa Marttila came back in shape to close it 25-22. The second set was a real pleasure for the volleyball fans gathered at the Nokia Arena: long rallies, emotional defences and powerful spikes from both teams, but it was Estonia, with the left-handed spiker Lohmus to get the first break at 16-10 to take the second set 25-21.

In the third set Estonia started strong (9-6 and 13-9) but then it was Luka Marttila’s time for his three aces in a row at 17-19 that let Finland come back to 19-19. And then again with an unbreakable block from Lohmus at 22-20 for Estonia, the visitors took the set that destroyed all the chances for the local heroes to finish Pool C in first position ahead of Belgium. Finland didn’t lose the good mood but on the contrary, they fought for every ball, supported by their fans, to take the match to the fifth set. The new name on the court was Niko Suihkonen, who replaced Nooa Marttila from the third set: thanks to his seven points he got his team to the final tie-break.
Even after more than 120 minutes of great plays, both teams seemed not tired at all since they spiked and blocked and served as they were at the start of the match. It was Estonia who really gave their heart on the court: Lohtus and Teppan with 16 and 24 points decided that the win would be theirs and at the end they were right.

Serbia vs Belgium 0-3 (19-25, 21-25, 16-25)

In the most crucial match of Pool C, where the second and third position of the final standings were still to be decided, Serbia were the first who took control of the set 7-5, then 10-8. The score was levelled at 12-12 and 17-17, but after that the Red Dragons, with captain Sam Deroo and the opposite spiker Ferre Reggers took centre stage and with a three-point gap they ensured the first set for Belgium 25-19. The second set was point on point, with a lot of mistakes from both teams from the service line (Belgium with seven, Serbia had three): players wanted to push as much as they could, but eventually found just the net. After a tie at 18-18, as in the first, Belgium took the lead thanks to Deroo, who proved one more time why he is among the best scorers and the captain of his team, and with a few great spikes Belgium took the lead and secured at least second place in the final standings of Pool C. 

In the last and third set Belgium carried the momentum with captain Deroo and Reggers (14 and 16 points in the end) while Serbian coach Cretu decided to let the first starting six sit on the bench, maybe to rest a little before going to Turin. The set was in complete control of the Red Dragons, who closed the deal 25-16 to wait with confidence what would happen between Finland and Estonia.