Finland crowned #EuroLeagueM champions!

Finland completed a clean sweep in their #EuroLeagueM campaign recording 10 wins in as many matches, wrapping it up with a 3-1 victory (25-15, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21) over the Netherlands in the return match of the grand finale. This success accounts for the second straight triumph for the Finns in the competition – since last year they had taken the European Golden League title as well. 

Finland had travelled to The Hague on the back of a 3-1 home victory in Nokia earlier this week and they knew that a victory by any score would have sealed their triumph in the competition. The Oranjes, on the other hand, needed a victory to vie for an all-decisive Golden Set. After beating the Netherlands for the first time since 2013 only a few days ago on home soil, the Finns caught a flying start to the re-match as well and even though the home side fought their way back in the second, Finland stayed in control to seal a second 3-1 win. They made the difference with their effective attacks as well as with a larger number of blocks and aces, while capitalising also on the many errors made by the Dutch team, especially in the third and fourth sets. 

The success is especially important for Team Finland as the players coached by Olli Kunnari will soon contest this year’s EuroVolley in Tampere – in a group where the Finns and the Netherlands will renew their rivalry. Luka Marttila was again the top scorer for Finland (22 points) just as he had been in Nokia and more than deservedly received the award for the Most Valuable Player of the finals. 

The top four teams from this year’s European League have also all qualified for the CEV EuroVolley 2028 Men. Apart from Finland and the Netherlands, Denmark and Israel have achieved this same feat.