Finland record first win over Oranjes in 13 years to set sights on #EuroLeagueM crown

The Orange winning streak in this year’s CEV Volleyball European League ended on Wednesday night as the Netherlands lost 1-3 to Finland in the first round of the competition finals. Last year’s European Golden League winners delighted a home crowd of 2,112 people in Nokia to make a first step towards securing the title – and if they are to win the rematch in The Hague, the Finns would also seal their spot in the Volleyball Nations League 2027. 

Finland claimed a closely contested first set (27-25) before the Netherlands regrouped to seal a 25-23 win in the second. The hosts responded by taking the third set by the same score before they asserted their full supremacy in the fourth (25-13). The Netherlands had previously claimed eight wins in a row across the League Round and semis, conceding only two sets along the way – namely in their semi-final matches with Israel. The result accounts for the first victory for Finland in a matchup with the Netherlands since the CEV EuroVolley 2013 pool phase. The Dutch had claimed 12 wins in a row since that day – but their streak ended on Wednesday night in Nokia. 

CEV EuroVolley 2026 ambassador Luka Marttila was truly outstanding scoring 27 points – including three aces and just as many blocks. Aaro Nikula was the only other Finnish player to finish the match in double digits (12). Sil Meijs was again the most prolific player for the Netherlands with a personal tally of 20 points. 

The eagerly awaited return match will be played this coming Saturday, July 11 in The Hague – where a true Volleyball party is unfolding since the city is also playing host to the U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships and #EuroVolleyU22W Final Round.