NEVZA U17/U18 EuroVolley 1st round – Finland back, winning in straight sets

/in /by

 On October 15th, the girls and boys from Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway were back in Ikast, gathered at the ISI sport centre for three days of competition. New for this year was that the NEVZA U17 was not only a zonal championship, but also 1st leg of the qualifier for the EuroVolley U18 championships 2024. Last year’s winner on the girls’ side and boys finalist, Sweden, was not present but instead Finland came back into play. And how they did it! Both the boys and girls dominated their respective class. The victories means that both Finnish teams are directly qualified to the European Championships 2024. The two Danish teams, England’s girls and Norway’s boys have to try again in the 2nd round to reach the championships.

The teams were happy to once again be back in Ikast on Jutland in Denmark. With all the facilities for food and lodging, a short walk to training and competition halls, and the special Danish “hygge” (conviviality), it gives the players and leaders best possible conditions.

 

Girls: The Finnish Champions and the All Star Team

In the girls’ competition pool play, host Denmark and Finland dominated their respective group, with clear 3 – 0 wins in both matches. Thereby, they advanced directly to the semifinals. In the quarter finals, between second and third teams in the groups, Norway won against Faroe Islands and England won against Iceland, both matches with rather clear victories. The group winners continued in the same way in the semifinals, leading to the final. Finland continued to dominate, not giving Denmark any opportunity to challenge the title.

 

Boys: The Finnish Champions and the All Star Team

The Finnish boys were as impressive as the girls, going through the tournament with straight 3-0 wins. Their opponent in the final, defending champion Denmark, had a little bit harder way. They lost one set against Norway in the pool and England in the semifinal. In the final, they started off bad, with only twelve points in the first set. Finland relaxed a little and let Denmark get into the second set, challenging Finland to 25-27. After the loss, they didn’t manage to hold up the level and Finland got back to their impressive strong serve and side-out volleyball, closing the match with 25-13 and 3-0.

All the matches were streamed on Danish Sportway, only visible in Denmark.

Medal matches and ranking. For all pole results, see below.
Girls
Gold medal match: Denmark – Finland 0 – 3 (17-25, 14-25, 17-25)
Bronze medal match: England– Norway 3 – 1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21)
5th/6th place match: Faroe Islands – Iceland 1 -3 (8-25, 25-22, 19-25, 14-25)

Ranking

  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. England
  4. Norway
  5. Iceland
  6. Faroe Islands

All Star Team Girls
Setter: Iida Mikkonen, Finland
Opposite: Noora Päykkönen, Finland
Outside hitter: Mille Bassøe, Denmark
Outside hitter: Selma Nikkanen, Finland
Middle blocker: Saara Tyrkkö, Finland
Middle blocker: Milla Haapaniemi, Finland
Libero: Elsi Karjanlahti, Finland
Most valuable player: Mille Bassøe, Denmark

 Boys
Gold medal match: Denmark – Finland 0 – 3 (12-25, 25-27, 13-25)
Bronze medal match: England – Norway 1 – 3 (26-24, 22-25 , 14-25, 20-25)
5th/6th place match: Faroe Islands – Iceland 0 – 3 (18-25, 15-25, 12-25)

Ranking

  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. Norway
  4. England
  5. Iceland
  6. Faroe Islands

All Star Team Boys
Setter: Eeli Kuukasjärvi, Finland
Opposite: Viktor Viljamaa, Finland
Outside hitter: Matias Siika-Aho, Finland
Outside hitter: Viktor Markwian Oldenborg, Denmark
Middle blocker: Janne Kolehmainen, Finland
Middle blocker: Aarni Ruohola Finland
Libero: Panu Salmijärvi, Finland
Most valuable player: Viktor Viljamaa, Finland

A great thanks to the Danish Volleyball Federation for an excellent organisation, led by Sebastian Mikelsons and Henrik Petersen. All participants look forward to come back next year.


Referees during 2023 NEVZA U17 Championships had to work hard.

For further information and more pictures, visit the Facebook page.

Pool results
Girls
Pool A
Norway – Denmark 0 – 3 (14-25, 20-25, 23-25)
Iceland – Denmark 0 – 3 (16-25, 17-25, 15-25)
Norway – Iceland 3 – 1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-9, 25-14)

Pool B
Finland – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-12)
England – Faroe Islands 3 – 1 (25-17, 25-11, 23-25, 27-25)
Finland – England 3 – 0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-11)

Quarter finals
Norway – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-22, 25-6, 25-15)
England – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-16)

Semifinals
Denmark – England 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-17)
Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-10)

Boys
Pool A
Denmark – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-18)
Norway – Iceland 3 – 1 (25-16, 25-19, 15-25, 25-13)
Denmark – Norway 3 – 1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19)

Pool B
Finland – England 3 – 0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-10)
Faroe Islands – England 1 – 3 (21-25, 26-24, 16-25, 18-25)
Finland – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-7)

Quarter finals
Norway – Faroe Islands 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-14)
England – Iceland 3 – 0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-17)

Semifinals
Denmark – England 3 – 1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20)
Finland – Norway 3 – 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-22)

Click here for presentation of the 2023 NEVZA U17/U19 Championships, with U18/U20 1st round qualification.

Information, schedules and results for the EuroVolley U18 are published on CEV homepage, see links below:
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Boys; 2024 EuroVolley U18M
NEVZA U17/EuroVolley U18 1st round Girls; 2024 EuroVolley U18W

Click here to read about last year’s tournament.