INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: LEMPO-VOLLEY – MJØLNIR 3–1 (25–23, 20–25, 25–23, 25–6)

5.1.2023 Lempäälä, Finland

Otteluraportti suomeksi

Lempo-Volley received international guests from form the Faroe Islands, when the country's champion Mjølnir arrived for a friendly match in Lempäälä in the first match of 2023. The match was the first international match in Lempo-Volley's club history. After tight stages, it was a good victory for Lempo 3–1 (25–23, 20–25, 25–23, 25–6).

– A very good start to the spring season. It was very important before the league opener against Pälkäne. We have to thank Tom Rumpusen for the opportunity to see what the level is outside of Finland,  Lempo MPV Tommi Nieminen said after the game.

– It was an interesting game and team. I think that their starting line up is a very good Finnish second highest league  (Lempo´s level). They didn´t have so much players in the bench. They dig and block with a high quality, Lempo's head coach Tuomas Alatalo thought.

– We had the weakest game of the season today. It was important that we got this game before Sunday match, Alatalo thought about Lempos performance.

In the opening set, Lempo was not at their best after the Christmas break. Returning to the rhythm of the game took time and the away team Mjølnir had a better start. Lempo's attack and defense were in trouble with Mjølnir's middle blockers Johan Arni Elisson Wang and Páll Heðin í Grund.

In the opening set, Lempos outside hitters Tomi Rumpunen and Kasimir Vuorinen were the power behinf the vicory. Lempo came from behind first to level and finally to win the set. Passari Ville Tuki ended the set with an ace.

In the second set, Lempo was in trouble right from the start with Mjølnir's difficult serve. Lempo fell into a large number of serving and attacking errors. So Mjølnir took a clear lead right at the start of the set, which was nine points at best. Lempo got it a cameback at the end, but the set win was clear for the visiting team.

In the third set, Lempo changed twoplayers, Simo Puttonen and Tommi Nieminen entered the field. Mjølnir's duo libero Simun Poulsen and outside hitter Olavur Johannessen were very good. Argentinian opposite Cristian Imhoff and Colombian outside hitter Cristian Barrios scored a lot of points. The heart of the team was captain and setter Thorvald Danielsen.

The set progressed according to the same pattern, Mjølnir started sharper and took the lead in the set. Lempo's serve struggled and Barrios scored points from difficult situations. Lempo made a double substitution when Ville Tuki and Jani Liski came on the field. Lempo started the rise slowly. Sten Kruuda blocked Lempo for the first time to take the lead 23–22 and Tommi Nieminen ended the set with an ace.

In the fourth set, Lempos Veeti Kosonen became the starting line up and Mjølnir made several substitutions. The away team brought a lot of youth to the field and the set was clearly under Lempo's control from the start. Lempo's serve worked and Mjølnir fell into mistakes. Veeti Kosonen's long run gave Lempo a 20–5 lead.

– Our game was a bit sticky. Mjølnir challenged well and was on top when we have troubles. Towards the end, we improved and they gave resting time to their starting players, Lempos Nieminen said.

Mjølnir's starting line-up was really high-quality and there have good players in every position, especially opposite Imhoff, setter Danielsen, middle blocker Elisson Wang and outside hitter Barrios could play in the Finnish league.

From Lempo, substitute players Tommi Nieminen, Ville Tuki, Jani Liski and Veeti Kosonen stood out as the best.

– It was an okay game and I kept the control well today. With I made only few mistakes and a few good points, Lempos Nieminen thought.

– The substitutes were the best part of the game for us today, they brought good mentality in the field, head coach Alatalo praised.

After tight and challenging phases and an easier fourth set, Lempo scored a 3–1 victory in the first international game in its history. Thanks to Mjølnir for the game and good luck in the other games of the Finland tour!

Lempo continues its games on Sunday in Pälkäne.

– We have to improve our playing against Pälkäne, I think this level will not be enough to win then. Let's get one more training session under and I think we can win from there also, Nieminen believes.

MVP:

Lempo: Tommi Nieminen
Mjølnir: Cristian Barrios

Audience: 131

Next game:

Lempo plays a league game against Pälkäneen Luja Lukko sunday 8.1.2023, Mjølnir plays friendly matches against Pälkäneen Luja-Lukko 6.1.2023 and Isku 8.1.2023

Starting line ups:

Lempo: Arttu Lehtimäki, Kasimir Vuorinen, Anssi Vesanen, Tuomas Sillanpää, Tomi Rumpunen, Sten Kruuda, libero Jyri Niemi

Mjølnir: Thorvald Danielsen, Johan Arni Elisson Wang, Olavur Johannessen, Cristian Imhoff, Cristian Barrios, Páll Heðin í Grund, libero Simun Poulsen

Photos: Antti Raunio / Lempo-Volley