Sammelvuo’s focus solely on Russia despite EuroVolley on home soil
Story of the Day
It is always something special to play before your home fans – and Finnish Volleyball icon Tuomas Sammelvuo was able to do so multiple times throughout a glittering career. This time around, however, Sammelvuo has returned to his home country at the helm of a true Volleyball powerhouse – Team Russia – to contest the CEV EuroVolley 2021 Men only a few weeks after claiming silver at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Tomuas Sammelvuo“It feels great to be playing this tournament here in Finland, in front of this crowd – and I hope that this championship can somehow re-start the development, growth and promotion of the Volleyball game in my home country”
Head Coach of Team Russia
This past Wednesday, during the Opening Ceremony ahead of the matchup between Finland and North Macedonia, Sammelvuo shared with his father Seppo – a former President of the Finnish Volleyball Association – a truly special moment: the official induction into the Hall of Fame of Finnish Volleyball.
On Sunday, before a sell-out crowd, Sammelvuo stood on opposite sides of the net to the team that he captained and later coached so many times. Russia could eventually regroup after losing the opening set to secure a 3-1 victory.
Tuomas Sammuelvo“We obviously have a lot to work on. As everybody knows, we are missing some key players who were with us at the Olympics. However, we cannot focus and speak of those who are not here. I can only work with those players we have at our disposal for this tournament”
Head Coach of Team Russia
Sammelvuo praised Egor Kliuka for his commitment and the ability to switch position from outside to opposite hitter to make up for the absence of superstar Maxim Mikhaylov and Victor Poletaev.
Tuomas Sammelvuo“Egor has been and is truly exemplary in the way that he has put himself at the service of the team. Obviously, one could see in the game with Turkey that we are missing consistency in this new constellation and we need to work to stabilise our game and improve from match to match.”
Head Coach of Team Russia
The fact that he has so much work to do means that he did not feel too much emotional during the game with Finland.
Tuomas Sammelvuo“Of course, it was maybe special at the beginning – but as soon as the match started, I did only focus on the team I coach, since we have enough to think about just for ourselves at the moment"
Head Coach of Team Russia
Two years ago, Russia, already under the guidance of Sammelvuo, failed to reach the semis sensationally losing in the quarterfinals to Slovenia. After their shaky start to EuroVolley 2021, including a 1-3 loss to Turkey, only time will tell how far they can make it this time – but there are clear signs that Russia are improving with each match and they will be a hard opponent for any team on the way to the finals in Katowice.
