{"id":209,"date":"2026-10-06T16:21:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T16:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backcomcenter.com\/vbclone\/?post_type=teams&p=209"},"modified":"2026-10-06T16:21:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T16:21:20","slug":"finland-mens-national-volleyball-team","status":"publish","type":"teams","link":"https:\/\/backcomcenter.com\/vbclone\/teams\/finland-mens-national-volleyball-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Finland Men’s National Volleyball Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finland\u2019s men\u2019s national volleyball team enters the current international cycle from a position it had never previously occupied: as a European Championship medalist and a top-10 team in the FIVB World Ranking. The national side, widely known in Finland as Veljekset<\/strong>, is governed by the Finnish Volleyball Federation, Suomen Lentopalloliitto, and competes within the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV). Head coach Olli Kunnari has overseen a rapid competitive rise built around a younger generation that began producing significant results in 2025 and then turned that progress into Finland\u2019s best continental finish in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakthrough came at the 2026 CEV Men\u2019s EuroVolley. Finland advanced from its home pool in Tampere, survived a five-set round-of-16 match against Greece, eliminated reigning world champions Italy<\/a> 3\u20132 in the quarterfinals and reached the semifinals for only the second time in team history. France<\/a> stopped Finland 3\u20131, but the Finns responded by defeating Slovenia<\/a> in straight sets in the bronze-medal match. The result delivered Finland\u2019s first EuroVolley medal after 20 previous appearances without one, lifted the team from 17th to No. 10 in the world ranking, and secured qualification for both the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup and the 2027 Volleyball Nations League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Field<\/th>Detail<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Official Team Name<\/td>Finland Men’s National Volleyball Team<\/td><\/tr>\n
Common Name \/ Nickname<\/td>Veljekset<\/td><\/tr>\n
Country<\/td>Finland<\/td><\/tr>\n
Gender<\/td>Men<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
National Federation<\/td>Suomen Lentopalloliitto \u2014 Finnish Volleyball Federation<\/td><\/tr>\n
FIVB Code<\/td>FIN<\/td><\/tr>\n
Confederation<\/td>CEV \u2014 European Volleyball Confederation<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Head Coach<\/td>Olli Kunnari<\/td><\/tr>\n
Captain<\/td>Antti Ronkainen<\/td><\/tr>\n
FIVB World Ranking<\/td>No. 10 \u2014 October 2026 current cycle snapshot<\/strong> \u2014 View full FIVB rankings<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Current Cycle<\/td>2026\u20132028<\/td><\/tr>\n
2027 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup<\/td>Qualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2027 Volleyball Nations League<\/td>Qualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
LA28 Olympic Games<\/td>Not yet qualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
Best EuroVolley Result<\/td>Bronze medal \u2014 2026<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
Best World Championship Result<\/td>9th place \u2014 2014<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
Best FIVB World League Result<\/td>7th place \u2014 2007<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
European League \/ Golden League<\/td>Champion \u2014 2025 and 2026; silver \u2014 2005<\/td><\/tr>\n
Official Team Page<\/td><\/td><\/tr>\n
Federation Website<\/td>Suomen Lentopalloliitto<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Federation TikTok<\/td>@suomenlentopallo<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s rise to No. 10 was confirmed by FIVB after the 2026 EuroVolley medal run, which moved the team seven places upward from 17th. The official Volleyball World ranking remains the authoritative current ranking destination; because rankings are match-dependent, the number should be rechecked whenever this profile receives a material future update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team History & Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland has a long history in European international volleyball without the sustained medal record of the continent\u2019s traditional powers. The team first appeared at the European Championship in the 1950s and became a regular presence across multiple eras. For decades, its strongest international results tended to be deep tournament runs rather than podium finishes. That distinction made the fourth-place finish at EuroVolley 2007 especially significant: Finland reached the continental final four in Moscow with a generation that included captain Tuomas Sammelvuo and outside hitter Olli Kunnari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That generation also produced Finland\u2019s best FIVB World League finish, seventh in 2007. Sammelvuo later became national-team head coach and led Finland back to the World Championship in 2014 after a 32-year absence. Finland finished ninth in Poland, which remains its best result at the global championship. Players such as Mikko Esko, Eemi Tervaportti, Lauri Kerminen, Antti Siltala, Urpo Sivula and Kunnari connected that era to the teams that followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A different cycle began when Kunnari took charge as head coach in 2024. Finland\u2019s results accelerated in 2025 with victory in the CEV European Golden League, followed by a productive World Championship in the Philippines. In 2026, the team successfully defended its European league-level title before converting that form into the first EuroVolley medal in Finnish men\u2019s history. The progression from Golden League champion to World Championship knockout participant, European League champion and EuroVolley bronze medalist gives the current generation a sequence of results rather than a single isolated upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olympic Games & the LA28 Path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The immediate Olympic objective is Los Angeles 2028. Finland did not claim Europe\u2019s direct continental qualification place at EuroVolley 2026; Poland<\/a> won the championship and therefore secured the European berth. Finland nevertheless strengthened its position considerably by reaching the EuroVolley semifinals and qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the confirmed LA28 qualification system, the United States qualifies as host, five places go to the 2026 continental champions, three places go to the highest-finishing teams at the 2027 World Cup that have not already qualified, and the final three places are allocated through the FIVB World Ranking after the 2028 VNL preliminary phase. Finland therefore has two major remaining pathways: a top-three eligible finish at the 2027 World Cup or a sufficiently high position when the final ranking places are awarded in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That context makes the move into the global top 10 more than a symbolic milestone. Ranking position alone does not guarantee Olympic qualification, but Finland\u2019s stronger ranking and newly secured access to annual VNL competition provide more opportunities to face elite opponents before the final LA28 places are determined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Championship & Global Competition Record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s best World Championship result remains ninth place in 2014. That tournament was itself an important return: Finland had not appeared at the global championship since 1982 before qualifying under Sammelvuo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next major global step came at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Championship in the Philippines. Finland opened by taking a two-set lead over Argentina<\/a> before losing 3\u20132, then produced one of the group stage\u2019s biggest results by defeating Olympic champions France<\/a> 3\u20132. The Finns followed with a 3\u20131 victory over Korea and finished second in Pool C with two wins from three matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their run ended in the round of 16, where Belgium<\/a> won 3\u20130. Finland nevertheless left the tournament having returned to the knockout phase and shown that the developing group could beat a leading international opponent under major-championship pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2027 global event will carry a new name. The former FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Championship is now the FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup<\/strong>, and Finland qualified by reaching the EuroVolley 2026 semifinals. It will be Finland\u2019s tenth appearance in the lineage of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volleyball Nations League<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s 2027 qualification represents another important change in its international calendar. FIVB confirmed Finland\u2019s place in the 2027 Volleyball Nations League after the team\u2019s rise through the 2025\u201326 cycle. Following later decisions concerning Russia\u2019s return to international competition, the 2027 men\u2019s VNL was expanded to 19 teams so that Finland could retain the place it had earned through its recent performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VNL participation changes the level and frequency of opposition Finland will face. The team\u2019s previous international rhythm relied more heavily on European league competition, qualification events and major championships. A VNL schedule brings regular matches against leading teams from multiple confederations and will become an important part of Finland\u2019s preparation for the 2027 World Cup and the later stages of the LA28 qualification cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland also has meaningful history in the VNL\u2019s predecessor, the FIVB World League. The national team participated 13 times and achieved its best result with seventh place in 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EuroVolley & European Competition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For nearly two decades, fourth place at EuroVolley 2007 stood as Finland\u2019s defining European Championship result. The 2026 team finally moved beyond it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one of four EuroVolley 2026 co-hosts, Finland played the preliminary stage in Tampere and defeated Denmark, Belgium<\/a>, Serbia<\/a> and the Netherlands. A five-set loss to Estonia left the Finns second in Pool C, after which they moved to Italy for the knockout rounds. Finland twice recovered from a set deficit to defeat Greece 3\u20132 in the round of 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quarterfinal against Italy<\/a> produced the tournament\u2019s defining Finnish victory. Facing the reigning world champions in Turin, Finland lost the opening set, took the next two, saw Italy force a deciding fifth set and then closed the match 15\u201313. The 3\u20132 victory sent Finland to its first EuroVolley semifinal since 2007 and simultaneously secured a 2027 World Cup place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France<\/a> defeated Finland 3\u20131 in the semifinal, but the tournament ended with a more important result for Finnish volleyball history. Finland swept Slovenia<\/a> 25\u201323, 25\u201320, 29\u201327 in the bronze-medal match in Assago. It was the country\u2019s first European Championship medal. Current head coach Kunnari had been part of the 2007 side that finished fourth, giving the 2026 result a direct connection to Finland\u2019s previous best generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medal followed two consecutive European league titles. Finland won its first CEV European Golden League crown in 2025 by defeating Czechia 3\u20131 in the final, with Joonas Jokela named final MVP. In 2026, Finland completed an unbeaten 10-match European League campaign and beat the Netherlands 3\u20131 in both legs of the final; Luka Marttila received the finals MVP award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Current National Team Pool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Finnish federation announced a 29-player senior summer national-team pool<\/strong> on April 16, 2026. This is the broadest official 2026 selection and is therefore kept separate from Finland\u2019s later EuroVolley squad. The federation specifically noted that Eemi Tervaportti and Joonas Jokela were not part of that original 29-player list; both later returned for EuroVolley, where they appear in the event-specific roster below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For players who remained in the late-summer EuroVolley group, club and height details below are refreshed from the federation\u2019s September 2026 information where available. For other players, the affiliation published with the April broad-pool announcement is retained rather than inventing a later club assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Player<\/th>Position<\/th>Club<\/th>Height<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Antti Ronkainen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Maaseik<\/td>191 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Jere Heiskanen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Odolena Voda<\/td>192 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Luka Marttila<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Gebze<\/td>197 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Niko Suihkonen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Dinamo Bucure\u0219ti<\/td>190 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Nooa Marttila<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Arago de S\u00e8te<\/td>193 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Peetu M\u00e4kinen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>OFI Crete<\/td>200 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Sebasti\u00e1n Pozo Hernandez<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Groningen<\/td>191 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Viktor Viljamaa<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Hurrikaani-Loimaa<\/td>193 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
William Groffier<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Roeselare<\/td>192 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Aaro Nikula<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Bra\u0219ov<\/td>212 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Veeti Nikkinen<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Raision Loimu<\/td>205 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Veikka Lindqvist<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Chaumont<\/td>210 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Alexej Zhbankov<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>WWK Volleys M\u00fcnchen<\/td>204 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Antti Taponen<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Akaa-Volley<\/td>206 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Juho Kaunisto<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Hurrikaani-Loimaa<\/td>207 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Lauri Ahvenj\u00e4rvi<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Akaa-Volley<\/td>201 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Miika Haapaniemi<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Syros<\/td>203 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Nuutti Niinivaara<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Hurrikaani-Loimaa<\/td>198 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Petteri Tyynismaa<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Kagoshima<\/td>204 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Severi Savonsalmi<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Montpellier<\/td>210 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Akseli Lankinen<\/td>Setter<\/td>Menen<\/td>194 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Eeli Kuukasj\u00e4rvi<\/td>Setter<\/td>AC Oulu Volley<\/td>189 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Fedor Ivanov<\/td>Setter<\/td>Gaziantep<\/td>195 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Ilja Ivanov<\/td>Setter<\/td>Giesen<\/td>191 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Santeri V\u00e4limaa<\/td>Setter<\/td>L\u00fcneburg<\/td>192 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Tomi Saarinen<\/td>Setter<\/td>Ludwigsburg<\/td>196 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Niklas Breilin<\/td>Libero<\/td>Chaumont<\/td>178 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Oskari Saraj\u00e4rvi<\/td>Libero<\/td>Akaa-Volley<\/td>190 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Voitto K\u00f6ykk\u00e4<\/td>Libero<\/td>Gda\u0144sk<\/td>179 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The size of the pool illustrates how Finland has widened competition for places. Eight members of the April selection entered the summer without a senior international appearance, while Ronkainen, Suihkonen and Ivanov were the most experienced members of that initial list at the time. The later return of Tervaportti and Jokela added another layer of experience for EuroVolley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 EuroVolley Squad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The following 15-player list is competition-specific and should not replace the broader #current-roster<\/code> pool. Club affiliations are the federation\u2019s published 2026\u201327 destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Player<\/th>Position<\/th>Club<\/th>Height<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Antti Ronkainen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Maaseik<\/td>191 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Luka Marttila<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Gebze<\/td>197 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Niko Suihkonen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Dinamo Bucure\u0219ti<\/td>190 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Nooa Marttila<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Arago de S\u00e8te<\/td>193 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Veikka Lindqvist<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Chaumont<\/td>210 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Joonas Jokela<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Dinamo Bucure\u0219ti<\/td>202 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Alexej Zhbankov<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>WWK Volleys M\u00fcnchen<\/td>204 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Miika Haapaniemi<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Syros<\/td>203 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Petteri Tyynismaa<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Kagoshima<\/td>204 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Severi Savonsalmi<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Montpellier<\/td>210 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Fedor Ivanov<\/td>Setter<\/td>Gaziantep<\/td>195 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Santeri V\u00e4limaa<\/td>Setter<\/td>L\u00fcneburg<\/td>192 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Eemi Tervaportti<\/td>Setter<\/td>Gebze<\/td>193 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Niklas Breilin<\/td>Libero<\/td>Chaumont<\/td>178 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n
Voitto K\u00f6ykk\u00e4<\/td>Libero<\/td>Gda\u0144sk<\/td>179 cm<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coaching Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Olli Kunnari remains the central figure in Finland\u2019s current cycle. His connection to the national team extends well beyond his present coaching role: he was an outside hitter on the 2007 EuroVolley team that finished fourth and also played in the 2014 World Championship generation. As head coach, his 2024\u201326 cycle has now produced consecutive European league titles, a World Championship knockout appearance and the first EuroVolley medal in Finnish men\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Role<\/th>Name<\/th>Organization \/ Team<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head Coach<\/td>Olli Kunnari<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Assistant Coach<\/td>Matti Alatalo<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Coach \/ Statistics<\/td>Hasse Mattila<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Data Analyst<\/td>Kamil Soloducha<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Strength & Conditioning Coach<\/td>Marko Panu<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Physiotherapist<\/td>Eerik Breilin<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Physiotherapist<\/td>Arttu Sissala<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Team Doctor<\/td>Krista Tapaninaho<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Sports Psychologist<\/td>P\u00e4ivi Granholm<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Communications<\/td>Toni Flink<\/td>Finnish Volleyball Federation \/ Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n
Team Manager<\/td>Jarmo Korhonen<\/td>Finland Men<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The staff structure above is the federation\u2019s current EuroVolley-era listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing Identity & Team Style<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s current identity is better understood as a product of the Kunnari cycle than as a permanent national style. The 2025\u201326 team has increasingly been able to win through collective pressure rather than requiring one attacker to carry an exceptional scoring load every night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setter Fedor Ivanov has become a major part of that structure, while veteran Eemi Tervaportti provides a very different level of accumulated international experience when selected. The wing group gives Finland multiple combinations: Ronkainen brings experience and reception responsibility, Luka Marttila has developed into a high-level scoring and passing option, Nooa Marttila has expanded the outside-hitter rotation, and the opposite position can be filled by players such as Jokela or Lindqvist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The middle-blocker group is physically significant. Tyynismaa and Haapaniemi are both 204 cm, Zhbankov is 204 cm, and Savonsalmi is listed at 210 cm. That size has translated into genuine match value rather than merely roster measurements. When Finland upset France<\/a> at the 2025 World Championship, Volleyball World highlighted blocking and precision as decisive elements. The 2025 Golden League final and the 2026 European League campaign also showed Finland creating separation through blocking, serving pressure and efficient attack phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is still tactical flexibility within the group. Finland used both Ivanov and V\u00e4limaa during the closing stages of EuroVolley, while the return of Tervaportti provided another setting option. At opposite, Jokela and Lindqvist offer different lineups. The current roster therefore has more positional competition than a simple fixed starting seven suggests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strongest evidence for Finland\u2019s development is its ability to reproduce competitive performances against different types of opponents. The 2025 victory over France<\/a>, 2026 quarterfinal victory over Italy<\/a> and bronze-medal sweep of Slovenia<\/a> were not identical matches. They required Finland to survive long five-set pressure against elite teams as well as control a medal match in straight sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Major Honors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Competition<\/th>Best \/ Major Results<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
CEV European Championship \/ EuroVolley<\/td>Bronze \u2014 2026<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
CEV European Championship \/ EuroVolley<\/td>4th place \u2014 2007<\/td><\/tr>\n
FIVB World Championship<\/td>9th place \u2014 2014<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
FIVB World League<\/td>7th place \u2014 2007<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
CEV European Golden League<\/td>Champion \u2014 2025<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
CEV Volleyball European League<\/td>Champion \u2014 2026<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
CEV European League<\/td>Silver \u2014 2005<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 EuroVolley bronze stands above Finland\u2019s earlier continental results because it was the first European Championship medal in program history. The consecutive 2025 and 2026 European league titles are also important to the current story: they show that the EuroVolley breakthrough was preceded by sustained success across two national-team summers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable Current & Former Players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Player<\/th>Position<\/th>Era \/ Years<\/th>Note<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Tuomas Sammelvuo<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>1990s\u20132010s<\/td>Captain of Finland\u2019s fourth-place EuroVolley 2007 team; later national-team head coach<\/td><\/tr>\n
Mikko Esko<\/td>Setter<\/td>1990s\u20132010s<\/td>Long-serving setter and central figure in Finland\u2019s successful 2000s generation<\/td><\/tr>\n
Olli Kunnari<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>2000s\u20132010s<\/td>Member of the 2007 EuroVolley and 2014 World Championship teams; current head coach<\/td><\/tr>\n
Eemi Tervaportti<\/td>Setter<\/td>2010s\u20132020s<\/td>Veteran setter with 268 senior internationals listed before EuroVolley 2026<\/td><\/tr>\n
Antti Ronkainen<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Current generation<\/td>Current captain and experienced reception attacker<\/td><\/tr>\n
Fedor Ivanov<\/td>Setter<\/td>Current generation<\/td>Core setter of the Kunnari-era team<\/td><\/tr>\n
Luka Marttila<\/td>Outside Hitter<\/td>Current generation<\/td>Finals MVP in Finland\u2019s 2026 European League title run<\/td><\/tr>\n
Petteri Tyynismaa<\/td>Middle Blocker<\/td>Current generation<\/td>Central blocker in Finland\u2019s 2025\u201326 breakthrough cycle<\/td><\/tr>\n
Joonas Jokela<\/td>Opposite<\/td>Current generation<\/td>MVP of the 2025 Golden League final<\/td><\/tr>\n
Voitto K\u00f6ykk\u00e4<\/td>Libero<\/td>Current generation<\/td>Regular back-court option during the 2025 World Championship and 2026 EuroVolley cycle<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sammelvuo and Kunnari form an important historical bridge. Both belonged to the 2007 team that established Finland\u2019s old EuroVolley benchmark. Sammelvuo later coached the 2014 team to ninth at the World Championship, while Kunnari eventually returned as head coach to take the 2026 generation one step further and onto the European podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The present team has a different age profile. Ronkainen and Tervaportti supply experience, while Ivanov, the Marttila brothers, Tyynismaa, Haapaniemi, Savonsalmi, Lindqvist and several other players are still within a competitive window that can extend through the 2027 World Cup and the LA28 qualification cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional & Key Matchups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland does not need a single manufactured \u201carchrival\u201d to explain its competitive context. Regional matches against other Nordic and Baltic teams naturally carry familiarity, while recent European competition has created repeated high-value meetings with the Netherlands, Estonia and other nearby CEV opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Netherlands has become particularly relevant in the current cycle. Finland defeated the Dutch in both legs of the 2026 European League final and then met them again during the EuroVolley group stage. Estonia also produced one of the few setbacks of Finland\u2019s EuroVolley home pool, winning a five-set match in Tampere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the elite end of the schedule, Finland\u2019s recent reference matches have come against France<\/a>, Italy<\/a> and Slovenia<\/a>. France was defeated at the 2025 World Championship but beat Finland in the 2026 EuroVolley semifinal. Italy fell to Finland in the EuroVolley quarterfinal despite entering as reigning world champion, and Slovenia became the opponent against whom Finland finally secured its first European Championship medal. Those matchups are better viewed as competitive benchmarks for the present generation than as traditional rivalries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qualification Path & Tournament Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland enters 2027 with two major places already secured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the EuroVolley quarterfinal victory over Italy guaranteed Finland a place at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup. Europe had three qualification places available through EuroVolley because host Poland<\/a> was already qualified, and semifinalists Finland, France<\/a> and Slovenia<\/a> claimed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, Finland has secured a place in the 2027 Volleyball Nations League. FIVB subsequently confirmed that the men\u2019s VNL would operate with 19 teams in 2027, preserving Finland\u2019s earned place while also accommodating Russia\u2019s return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EuroVolley 2026 also determined Europe\u2019s direct LA28 qualifier. Poland\u2019s title gave the Olympic place to the European champions, so Finland remains unqualified for Los Angeles. The 2027 World Cup now offers the next direct opportunity: three highest-finishing teams not already qualified will earn Olympic places. If Finland does not qualify there, the final route is through the FIVB World Ranking after the 2028 VNL preliminary phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland has also already secured qualification for EuroVolley 2028 through its 2026 European League performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland in the 2026\u201327 Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finland finishes the 2026 international season with a materially different status from the one it held at the start of 2025. The team has won consecutive European league competitions, reached the knockout stage of the 2025 World Championship, beaten both Olympic champions France and reigning world champions Italy in major tournaments, won its first EuroVolley medal and climbed into the global top 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next challenge is sustainability. Finland\u2019s 2027 calendar will expose the team to a deeper sequence of elite opposition through the VNL before the World Cup. That creates a different test from producing one exceptional tournament: Kunnari\u2019s group will need to manage roster depth, player workload and tactical adaptation over a longer global season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are reasons for continuity. Much of the 2026 medal-winning core remains in or near its prime, while several younger players from the 29-man pool have not yet established permanent senior roles. At the same time, experienced players such as Tervaportti show that Kunnari has been willing to combine emerging players with veterans when the tournament context justifies it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent Performance Snapshot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Competition \/ Period<\/th>Finland Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
2025 CEV European Golden League<\/td>Champion<\/strong> \u2014 defeated Czechia 3\u20131 in final<\/td><\/tr>\n
2025 FIVB Men\u2019s World Championship<\/td>Round of 16; second in Pool C<\/td><\/tr>\n
2025 World Championship vs France<\/td>Won 3\u20132<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 CEV Volleyball European League<\/td>Champion \u2014 10\u20130 campaign<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 EuroVolley Round of 16<\/td>Beat Greece 3\u20132<\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 EuroVolley Quarterfinal<\/td>Beat Italy 3\u20132<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 EuroVolley Semifinal<\/td>Lost to France 1\u20133<\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 EuroVolley Bronze Match<\/td>Beat Slovenia 3\u20130<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2026 EuroVolley Final Result<\/td>Bronze \u2014 first medal in team history<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
FIVB World Ranking after EuroVolley 2026<\/td>No. 10<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2027 Volleyball Nations League<\/td>Qualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
2027 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup<\/td>Qualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who is the head coach of Finland\u2019s men\u2019s national volleyball team?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Olli Kunnari is the current head coach. A former Finland international outside hitter, he was part of the team that finished fourth at EuroVolley 2007 and later returned to lead Finland to its first European Championship medal as coach in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Finland\u2019s current captain?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Outside hitter Antti Ronkainen<\/strong> served as Finland\u2019s captain at EuroVolley 2026. The Finnish federation explicitly identified him as captain during the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Finland\u2019s current FIVB World Ranking?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Finland is No. 10<\/strong> in the current post-EuroVolley 2026 ranking cycle. The team climbed seven positions during its historic European Championship run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Finland\u2019s best EuroVolley result?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Finland won bronze at EuroVolley 2026<\/strong>, its first medal in European Championship history. The previous best was fourth place in 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Finland\u2019s best World Championship result?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s best finish is ninth place at the 2014 World Championship in Poland<\/strong>. The team returned to the competition that year after a 32-year absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Finland qualified for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men\u2019s World Cup?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Yes. Finland qualified by reaching the semifinals of EuroVolley 2026 after defeating reigning world champions Italy in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Finland qualified for the 2027 Volleyball Nations League?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Yes. FIVB has confirmed Finland\u2019s place in the 2027 VNL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has Finland qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?<\/h3>\n\n\n

Not yet. Poland earned Europe\u2019s direct LA28 berth by winning EuroVolley 2026. Finland can still qualify through the 2027 World Cup or through one of the final FIVB World Ranking places awarded after the 2028 VNL preliminary phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does \u201cVeljekset\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n

\u201cVeljekset\u201d means \u201cBrothers\u201d<\/strong> in Finnish and is the established name used by the Finnish Volleyball Federation for the men\u2019s national team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n