25/01/2017 20:16
HPK HÄMEENLINNA retain hegemony in Finnish derby
2017 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
Hämeenlinna, Finland, January 25, 2017. LP SALO were unable to challenge their fellow Finns HPK HÄMEENLINNA in the return match of the Finnish derby on schedule for the 16th Finals of the 2017 CEV Volleyball Cup – Women. The locals rushed to another 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-18) victory, thus fulfilling the dream of facing Italian giants Pomì CASALMAGGIORE in the next stage of the competition.
In the first set, the visitors fought hard knowing they were on the verge of elimination. Things seemed at least promising for LP SALO as they took a 20-18 lead. However, after HPK opposite Piia Korhonen ended a two-minute rally off the blocking hands at 23-21, the campaign of SALO took another mental setback.
The visitors were able to pull out an 11-9 lead in the second set but after this, the home team rushed to 15-11 with team captain Katja Kylmäaho serving. In another marathon rally, Korhonen had an opportunity to break SALO’s backs at 19-12 but the guests survived. HPK defended anyway the whole set at high level and cashed one ‘virtual’ match point and with it a spot in the next round with a clear margin.
After two sets, the game was all about honour and power of will. HPK, a team with a perfect home record, were obviously more eager to maintain their clean stats. Both clubs gave some substitutes a share of European Cups glory. Already after the first serves, HPK had a comfortable lead, which remained untouched through to the end of the set.
Piia Korhonen had again a great game against LP SALO and topped the scoring charts with 17 points; outside spiker Pauliina Vilponen became the most prolific attacker for the visitors with 13 points. However, HPK outside hitter Salla Karhu received the award for the MVP as that glory went again to their Russian-born middle blocker Nadezhda Gokhshtein as far as LP SALO are concerned.
HPK head coach Luca Chiappini saw the strength was the key to the crushing result. “We were stronger, I can tell that. We started quite nervously but after that, they were not able to score more than 20 points. Therefore, we were able to control quite continuously the way they played. Actually, we did not play our best Volleyball today because they played differently. They were very aggressive with their service and it was not easy because they had a good block too,” Chiappini said.
LP SALO head coach Tomi Lemminkäinen did not find a key to upset HPK who has now shut them out four times this season. He admitted the superiority of their rivals after the match. “HPK were better again and there are no ifs there. I think we had a good start to the game and played well until 20 points. Both teams played well but HPK did better. We had good moments in every set; however, our bad phase endured much longer than the one of the opponent,” he said.
HPK is most likely to meet Italy’s Pomì CASALMAGGIORE in the next round of the CEV Cup. The Italian coach of the Finnish champions is looking forward to those fixtures although CASALMAGGIORE still has to beat Israel’s Maccabi XT HAIFA. “First I’m happy an Italian team comes here because CASALMAGGIORE is a top level European team. Having them here is also good for Finnish Volleyball. The town, Cremona, where they play is a marvellous city, so it will be a pleasure to visit them.”
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