Finland is poised for its highly anticipated return to the World Championship in 2025, having been absent from the previous edition. The team`s ambition is to reignite the impressive momentum they once showcased, most notably in 2014 when they achieved their best-ever ninth-place finish. Under the astute guidance of acclaimed coach Tuomas Sammelvuo, that squad captured widespread attention and cultivated a passionate fanbase. This performance marked their initial significant breakthrough on the international stage, followed by a 16th-place ranking in 2018 before they unfortunately failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament.
Now, a decade later, Finland is back, celebrating a recent continental title and boasting a more unified squad. Their triumphant victory in the 2025 European Golden League represents a substantial leap forward and strongly indicates that their second major comeback may already be well underway.
This revitalized direction for Finnish volleyball has been significantly bolstered by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. Since 2023, the program has consistently supported the men`s national team, investing $84,000 in coaching assistance. This crucial funding has enabled Finland to fortify its technical foundations under the leadership of head coach Olli Kunnari.
Kunnari, who was one of Finland’s most prominent players during his active career—much like his predecessor Tuomas Sammelvuo—brings a valuable player-centric perspective to his coaching role. He has been meticulously guiding a relatively young team through a period of steady rebuilding. This strategic approach bore fruit in June when Finland secured their first European Golden League title, triumphing over Czechia in the final. This victory not only marked their inaugural major continental success but also underscored the team`s growing cohesion and spirit under Kunnari`s direction.
Joonas Jokela, the team`s opposite player and the Most Valuable Player of the Golden League, is widely anticipated to once again spearhead Finland`s offensive efforts in the Philippines. He will be joined by fellow opposite Aaro Nikula, libero Niklas Breilin, middle blocker Severi Savonsalmi, and setters Akseli Lankinen and Fedor Ivanov. This core group has developed strong continuity and synergy over recent seasons, now forming the bedrock of the team`s on-court system.
Finland is slated to compete in Pool C at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Their World Championship campaign commences on September 14 against Argentina, followed by a high-stakes match against Olympic champions France on September 16, and concluding their pool play against Korea on September 18.
With their European Golden League title fresh in mind and the significant responsibility of co-hosting the 2026 European Championship on the horizon, the upcoming World Championship presents a crucial and timely opportunity for Finland to rigorously assess its progress and unequivocally demonstrate that their resurgence is genuinely taking hold.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood