23 Famous Volleyball Players in Finland of All Time

Victor Holman

Volleyball is a popular sport in Finland and the country is home to some of the best volleyball players in the world. From the men’s national team to the youth academies, Finland produces talented volleyball players who have made a name for themselves in the sport.

We will explore some of the best volleyball players in Finland and what makes them stand out from the rest. We will also look at the history of volleyball in Finland and how the country’s players have contributed to the success of the sport.

1. Lauri Kerminen

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Lauri Kalle Juhani Kerminen is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He currently plays for the Dynamo Moscow team as a libero, a specialized defensive position. Kerminen has also represented his home country, Finland, in the national volleyball team.

He has had a successful career so far and is well-respected in the game. Kerminen’s primary role as a libero is to provide defensive support for his team, which means he is responsible for stopping the opposing team from scoring.

He is also expected to be an excellent passer, which enables him to quickly transition the ball from one side of the court to the other.

His experience and technical skills have been instrumental in helping his team succeed. Kerminen has been a member of the Finland national team since his debut in 2013. He has played in numerous international tournaments and helped his team to a number of impressive victories.

His ability to read the game and provide quick, accurate passes has been an invaluable asset to his team. Overall, Lauri Kalle Juhani Kerminen is a talented and experienced volleyball player who has made a name for himself both in Finland and abroad.

He is a key member of the Dynamo Moscow team and a valuable contributor to the Finland national team. His accomplishments and dedication to the sport have made him a respected player in the volleyball community.

2. Eemi Tervaportti

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Eemi Tervaportti is a professional volleyball player from Finland. She currently plays as a setter for the Polish team Jastrzębski Węgiel and the Finland national team.

As a setter, Tervaportti is responsible for the team’s offense, which includes organizing and leading the team’s attack. The setter is the link between the defense and the offense, reading the defense and deciding which offensive play to make.

Tervaportti’s impressive talent and communication skills have made her an important asset to her teams, helping them to victory. She is a key player for both her professional and her national team and is highly respected by her peers and coaches.

3. Akseli Lankinen

Akseli Lankinen is a Finnish male volleyball player who is currently part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team.

He has had the opportunity to represent his country at various international volleyball tournaments, most notably at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. On the club level, Akseli is associated with the team Kuortane Lentopallo.

He is an experienced player who has been playing volleyball for many years. His experience and talent have been key in helping his team achieve success in major competitions.

Akseli is a great example of the level of dedication and commitment that athletes from Finland have been showing in the sport of volleyball. He is an inspiration to all young players who aspire to reach the level of greatness that he has achieved.

4. Antti Siltala

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Antti Siltala is an impressive volleyball player, hailing from Finland. He has demonstrated his abilities on a global level, having competed in the professional volleyball leagues of Greece, Turkey and Poland.

He is currently a member of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, proudly representing his home country on the world stage. Siltala’s experience in the international leagues has given him the opportunity to hone his skills and develop himself as a player.

By playing in different countries, he has been able to gain valuable insight into different styles of playing the game, as well as the cultural differences between teams.

This has helped him become an even better player, and it has allowed him to grow as an athlete. Siltala is a true professional and has shown remarkable dedication to the game of volleyball.

His commitment to the sport is evident in the fact that he has been able to compete in three different professional leagues, as well as being a part of the Finland men’s national team.

His hard work and dedication have enabled him to become a great player, and he is a great ambassador for his country.

5. Urpo Sivula

Urpo Sivula is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He was part of the Finland Volleyball league team, Pielaveden Sampo, during the 2008 season.

In the game of volleyball, Sivula plays the position of wing-spiker; this position requires a player to hit the ball with power and accuracy from the edges of the court.

As a wing-spiker, Sivula is responsible for attacking the ball from the sides of the court, providing a powerful offensive presence. His role is significant in helping the team gain points and win games.

With his ability to hit the ball quickly and accurately from the sides of the court, Sivula has provided the team with a strong offensive presence.

6. Henrik Porkka

Henrik Porkka is a Finnish volleyball player who is currently playing for LEKA Volley, a club based in Finland. He also plays for the Finnish national team and has competed in many international competitions.

One of his most notable performances was at the 2017 Men’s European Volleyball Championship, where he represented Finland. He was one of the key players in the team, helping them to a respectable finish.

Henrik Porkka is highly respected in the volleyball community for his skill and commitment to the game. He is an inspirational figure for many aspiring volleyball players in Finland and around the world.

7. Markus Kaurto

Markus Kaurto is a talented Finnish male volleyball player. He is currently part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, having competed in the 2015 European Games in Baku.

Kaurto has been playing at a high level for some time and has established himself as a formidable player in the sport. On the club level, Markus Kaurto plays for Lentopalloseura ETTA, a team based in Finland.

Through his impressive skills and dedication to the sport, he has been able to make a name for himself in the volleyball world. He is an exciting player to watch and is sure to continue to have a successful career.

8. Elviss Krastiņš

Elviss Krastiņš is a professional volleyball player who was born in Latvia but currently represents Finland in international competitions. As a member of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, he has consistently demonstrated his skill and dedication to the sport.

On the club level, Elviss Krastiņš plays for Topvolley Antwerpen. He has contributed to the success of his team by providing leadership and guidance on and off the court. As a player, Elviss Krastiņš is highly experienced and has an impressive record of achievement.

He is an excellent passer and can contribute to the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. He is also known for his defensive positioning and anticipation, which helps him make the most of his team’s plays. His presence on the court is a major factor in his team’s success.

Elviss Krastiņš is a valuable asset to any team and his commitment to the sport is evident. He works hard to ensure that his team is successful and has the support of his teammates and coaches.

His passion and dedication to the sport have made him a respected player and an integral part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team.

9. Tommi Siirilä

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Tommi Siirilä is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He was an integral part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, which was held in Poland.

During this tournament, Siirilä showcased his impressive talent and skill to the international volleyball community. Prior to the tournament, Siirilä had been playing with Sir Conad Perugia, an Italian professional volleyball team.

With the team he had achieved much success, and he brought this experience and knowledge to the national team.

His presence had a positive effect on the team’s performance and helped them to achieve success throughout the tournament. Siirilä’s career as a professional volleyball player is still ongoing.

He continues to contribute to the success of the Finnish national team, and his experience and skill is invaluable.

His accomplishments as a player have been recognized internationally, and he is a great example of what hard work and dedication can achieve in the sport of volleyball.

10. Mikko Oivanen

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Mikko Oivanen is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He is currently a member of the Finland men’s national volleyball team. He has been playing the sport since a young age and has since become one of Finland’s best players.

Oivanen has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career and has become a fixture in the Finnish national team. He is well-known for his athleticism and his ability to make spectacular plays on the court.

Oivanen has also served as a mentor to younger players and has been an important part of the development of Finland’s men’s national volleyball team. He is an inspiration to many aspiring volleyball players in Finland and beyond.

11. Matti Oivanen

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Matti Tapio Oivanen is a Finnish volleyball player who is currently a member of both the Finland men’s national volleyball team and Finnish club Hurrikaani Loimaa. Oivanen has a twin brother, Mikko Oivanen, who is also a volleyball player.

Both brothers have had successful volleyball careers, with Matti representing Finland at the international level while Mikko plays for a Finnish club.

The Oivanen brothers have both been instrumental in the success of their respective teams, playing a key role in their victories. Their shared passion for the sport has made them role models for aspiring volleyball players in Finland.

12. Olli-Pekka Ojansivu

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Olli-Pekka “Lelu” Ojansivu is a prominent former Finnish professional volleyball player who made a lasting mark on the sport. He was a member of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, playing for them at the highest level.

His career was long and successful, with his accomplishments in the sport being recognized and praised.

He is known for his excellent technique, athleticism, and tactical awareness. Olli-Pekka began playing volleyball as a young person, developing his skills and knowledge of the sport.

He soon became one of the best players in the country, making him an ideal candidate for the Finland men’s national volleyball team.

He enjoyed a successful career with the team, helping them to win several international tournaments and medals. Olli-Pekka retired from professional volleyball in 2015, marking the end of an illustrious career.

Despite his retirement, he continues to be involved in the sport and is a respected figure in the volleyball community. He is an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can lead to success in any field.

13. Riikka Lehtonen

Riikka Lehtonen is a Finnish professional volleyball and beach volley player who has had a very successful career in the sport.

She is the most successful female volleyball player in Finland, and her accomplishments in the sport have made her a national icon. Throughout her career, Lehtonen has represented several professional clubs in Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Greece and Azerbaijan.

She has played in the top leagues in each of these countries and has achieved great success in each. In France, she was part of a team that won the national championship in 2018. In Italy, she was a part of a team that reached the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup in 2019.

In Japan, she was part of a team that won the All Japan Volleyball Championship in 2019. In addition to her success at the club level, Lehtonen has also had success at the national level.

She has been part of the Finnish National Team since 2009, and she has been part of teams that have won the European Championship in 2010 and the World Championship in 2011.

She was also part of the Finnish team that won the silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. Riikka Lehtonen is a prime example of a successful athlete who has achieved success at both the club and national levels.

Her accomplishments in the sport of volleyball have made her an icon in Finland, and her success has also made her one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world.

14. Simo-Pekka Olli

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Simo-Pekka Olli is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He has been playing volleyball for many years and has three seasons of experience in Italy’s A1 league. His team during these three seasons was Sempre Volley Padova, spanning from 2005 to 2008.

After these three seasons, Olli had to return to Finland due to a mandatory military service that all Finnish men must partake in. The Finnish army requires that all men serve a certain period in order to maintain their national security.

Olli, like all other Finnish men, had to fulfill this obligation and therefore had to return home to complete his service. After his service is complete, he will be able to resume his professional volleyball career in Italy or elsewhere.

15. Tuomas Sammelvuo

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Tuomas Petteri Sammelvuo is a well-respected figure in the world of volleyball. He is a Finnish professional volleyball coach and former player who has achieved great success as a coach.

He currently serves as the head coach for two top-level teams, the Canada national team and the Polish PlusLiga team, ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Sammelvuo has had an impressive career in volleyball.

He is the only Finnish male volleyball player to have won the Champions League, which is a huge accomplishment in the volleyball community. His success as a player has helped him to become a successful coach.

He has been able to use his experience and knowledge to help his teams reach success. Sammelvuo’s accomplishments have been recognized by the volleyball community. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contribution to the sport.

He is highly respected by his peers and is looked up to as a leader. He is a great example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work. Tuomas Petteri Sammelvuo is a true inspiration to the world of volleyball.

His success as a player and a coach has helped to raise the profile of volleyball in Finland and around the world. He is an example of how success can be achieved through dedication and hard work.

16. Tapio Kangasniemi

Tapio Kangasniemi is a former professional volleyball player from Finland who had an impressive career spanning from 2001 to 2008. He was a libero, which is a defensive specialist, for the Finnish national team.

During his time as a player, he established himself as an elite defender in the sport. Kangasniemi made the decision to retire in the summer of 2008, after seven years of success as a player.

Following his retirement, he decided to use his knowledge and experience in the sport to become a volleyball coach.

He has since been coaching young players, passing on his skill and wisdom so that others may take advantage of his teachings. Kangasniemi’s career has been an inspiring one to aspiring volleyball players.

He has shown that with hard work and dedication, it is possible to achieve great success. His legacy as a player and coach will live on through the generations of players who have been inspired by his story.

17. Matti Hietanen

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Matti Hietanen is a highly accomplished volleyball player from Finland. He has been playing the sport for many years and has achieved great success in his career.

He has represented Finland in both the European and World Championships and has been part of several European teams, including the Finnish National Team.

He has also been part of several club teams in Finland, including the Oulun Kärpät and the Tampereen Pyrintö. Matti’s achievements in the sport are many. He has been named to the Finnish All-Star Team on multiple occasions and has been the MVP of the European Championships.

He has also been a member of the All-Star Team in the World Championships. His awards also include being named the MVP of the Finnish National Team, and the MVP of the Oulun Kärpät.Matti has also been involved in coaching, both at the amateur and professional level.

He is currently the head coach of the Finnish Men’s National Team. He is known for his ability to develop young talent and for his knowledge of the game. Overall, Matti Hietanen is an esteemed athlete from Finland and is highly respected in the sport of volleyball.

He is an inspiration to many young players and is an example of the dedication and hard work that it takes to become a successful volleyball player.

18. Mikko Esko

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Mikko Esko is a highly accomplished volleyball player from Finland. He is part of the Finnish Men’s National Volleyball Team and is also a member of the Finnish club Vammalan Lentopallo.

He has represented Finland in multiple international tournaments, earning many accolades for his skill and dedication to the sport. Esko’s career began in his home country, where he became a star player in the Finnish volleyball leagues.

He was then selected to join the national team and was part of the team that won the Finnish championship in 2016. This success was followed by Esko’s selection for the European Championship in 2017, where he helped Finland to a bronze medal.

Esko’s impressive performances at both the international and club level have earned him recognition as one of the top players in the country. Esko currently plays for his club, Vammalan Lentopallo, which competes in the top division in Finland.

He has had a major influence on the team’s success, and the club has won the Finnish championship title for the past three years.

Esko’s skill and dedication to the sport have been recognized by both his teammates and coaches alike, and he continues to be an integral part of the team. Through his hard work and dedication, Esko has become a symbol of excellence in Finnish volleyball.

He is an inspiration to young players and a source of pride for Finnish volleyball fans. Mikko Esko is a true leader in the sport and his legacy will be remembered for many years to come.

19. Niko Haapakoski

Niko Haapakoski is an accomplished Finnish volleyball player. He plays for Lentopalloseura ETTA, a professional volleyball club in Finland, and is also a member of the Finnish national team.

Haapakoski has had notable success in his career, most recently participating in the 2017 Men’s European Volleyball Championship.

This tournament is one of the most prestigious volleyball competitions in the world, and Haapakoski’s presence is a testament to both his skill and his dedication to the sport.

His efforts in the 2017 tournament earned him a place in the record books, as well as a considerable amount of recognition from the volleyball community.

Despite the immense amount of pressure and competition, Haapakoski never faltered, and his performance is a testament to his commitment to the game. His achievements are sure to serve as an inspiration to aspiring volleyball players in Finland and around the world.

20. Eetu Pennanen

Eetu Pennanen is a professional Finnish volleyball player who has represented Finland in international tournaments.

He plays for the Finnish national volleyball team and has been an integral part of the team since 2017. In 2017, Eetu Pennanen had the opportunity to take part in the Men’s European Volleyball Championship.

This tournament is held annually and brings together the best volleyball players from European countries.

As part of the Finnish national team, Eetu Pennanen was able to make use of his skills and experience in order to help the team reach their goals. During the tournament, Eetu Pennanen proved himself to be a valuable asset to the Finnish team.

His performance helped the team secure a place in the next round of the tournament.

His consistent performance over the tournament helped the team to reach the semi-finals, where they eventually finished in fourth place. Eetu Pennanen has been praised for his contribution to the team and his commitment to the game of volleyball.

He has proven to be a reliable player for the team and has helped them to achieve success in the European Volleyball Championship. His dedication has earned him many admirers and he has become a role model for aspiring volleyball players in Finland.

21. Jukka Lehtonen

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Jukka Lehtonen is a highly accomplished professional volleyball player from Finland. He has been a part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team for many years and is the current captain of the team.

His talent and leadership has now taken him to the next level, as he has recently signed for GFCO Ajaccio in the French Ligue A for the 2010–2011 season.

This signing is a great accomplishment for Jukka, as GFCO Ajaccio is a highly competitive team that has won many championships in the past. He will no doubt be a great asset to the team and will be an integral part of their success this season.

This move is also an opportunity for Jukka to show the world the incredible talent he has, and to prove himself as a leader on and off the court.

22. Joni Savimäki

Joni Savimäki is a retired volleyball player who represented Finland in the national team. During his career, he played for Liiga-Riento, a volleyball club based in Finland.

He was a successful volleyball player, having been selected for the Finland men’s national volleyball team. Savimäki was known for his athleticism and skill on the court. He was a powerful player who was known for his fast spikes and powerful serves.

He was also a great leader, often motivating his teammates to play better. Savimäki was a part of Liiga-Riento for many years, and he was an important part of the team. His leadership and skills helped Liiga-Riento to reach the highest levels of competitive play.

He was also a part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, and he represented Finland in many international tournaments. Joni Savimäki was a great volleyball player and a great leader.

He was an important part of the Finland men’s national volleyball team, and he helped Liiga-Riento reach its highest level of competitive play. He will be remembered for his dedication and skill as a volleyball player.

23. Antti Ropponen

Antti Ropponen is a professional volleyball player from Finland. He currently plays for Hurrikaani Loimaa, a Finnish volleyball team, and is also a member of the Finnish national team.

Ropponen has a long history with the sport, having been involved in volleyball since his youth. He has also competed in numerous international tournaments and championships, including the 2017 Men’s European Volleyball Championship.

In the tournament, he helped lead Finland to a 5th-place finish, one of the best results for the country in recent history. His performance in the tournament earned him a great deal of recognition, further solidifying his status as one of the top players in the sport.

Ropponen is an example of the dedication and skill that it takes to succeed in volleyball, and his passion for the sport is evident in everything he does.

Conclusion

The best volleyball players in Finland are amongst the best in the world. They have achieved success both in the domestic and international arenas and have the ability to compete with the top players around the world.

They are highly skilled and have the determination and drive to take their game to the next level. The best volleyball players in Finland have the potential to become some of the greatest players in the sport.

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Victor Holman

I am a sports analytics expert with an extensive background in math, statistics and computer science. I have been working in the field for over 10 years, and have published several academic articles. I am a sports analytics expert with an extensive background in math, statistics and computer science. I have been working in the field for over 10 years, and have published several academic articles. I also run a blog on sports analytics where I share my thoughts on the latest developments in this field. But I specially love Volleyball. LinkedIn