Helsinki returns to the volleyball championship league after a 24 – year hiatus, when the Helsinki Volley women ‘s team rose to the highest league level in the country at the end of last season.
The team has strengthened its ranks over the summer with renowned players. Marinated in the championship league Janica Helenius, Jemina Jäärni and Johanna Oikari belong to the Helsinki group in the beginning of the season.
However, the most interesting acquisition is Russian Irina Melnichuk, 27, who has played in his career for as many as five seasons in the Russian Super League. The passari, who also appeared in the junior country team, is a real top confirmation for Helsinki Volley.
The team returned as coach Dirk Sauermann says that for the first league season it was planned to assemble a completely Finnish team, but the task turned out to be impossible.
“Now that there is one more team in the series, there is another team looking for Finnish players of a sufficient level. There are not many of them. We searched for a while, but we came to the conclusion that we could not find anyone suitable, ”says Sauermann.
“Irina is used to a completely different level of play, but after the corona epidemic stops the Russian series, she’s just happy to be able to play.”
According to Sauermann, Helsinki Volley’s financial situation is not at all comparable to the other teams in the series, even though the well-known player took the wounds.
Making purchases for a rising team is challenging. The club must closely monitor the budget, search everywhere and use all possible contacts such as coaches and player agents.
The coach of Dirk Sauermann was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up.
Helsinki VOLLEYN the assistant coach is a Russian Victor Stanulevich, but surprisingly he had no connection with the discovery of Melnichuk.
“Irina lived in St. Petersburg and Victor knows people from there, but this didn’t actually happen through Victor’s contacts. However, she has helped with the language barrier and convinced Irina to come, ”Sauermann says.
Melnichuk plays in Helsinki Volley under a professional contract. In the Women’s Championship, the best teams may include up to five foreign professionals and some domestic professional players.
However, most Finnish volleyball players do day jobs or study while playing.
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“I felt I had to come here.”
“In Finland, volleyball is thought differently, the team above. In Russia, everyone thinks only of themselves, ”says Irina Melnichuk.
When the turn of the interview at Töölö Race Hall changes from Sauermann to Melnichuk, a small gesture tells how the team cares about the Russian player. The coach will also visit separately to ensure that this gets home safely.
“We’re leaving now. Can you get home? ” Sauermann asks.
“Do you see? They take care of me, ”Melnichuk admires.
The Super League league veteran says that he left for Finland with an adventure.
“I don’t know why, but I didn’t think too much. Usually I decide everything on an emotional basis, as women do. I felt like I had to come here, ”he says.
“I thought I wanted to try something new. In Finland, volleyball is thought differently, the team above. In Russia, everyone thinks only of themselves. ”
Melnichuk played his first seasons in the Russian main series in the 2011-12 season. He was only 17 at the time.
“It’s quite possible if the coaches see something in you. If not, goodbye. ”
Sauermann said he liked the Russian player’s desire to build a team spirit. Melnichuk communicates to the best of his ability and gives tips to his younger ones, which is valuable for them to learn.
An experienced passer states that helping others is one of his best qualities.
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“You just raise your hand, and then you have the ball in it.”
Captain Mona Kokko says that the arrival of Irina Melnichuk has made it easier for the whole team to play. “The game clings, and it feels natural.”
Especially playfully Melnichuk is invaluable to Helsinki Volley. Anna-Sofia Heimonen and May Day Ritalan after leaving the team, the Russian steps into the big boots, but based on the exercises, he has performed them brilliantly.
“It’s been great to get on with an experienced passer who knows how things work. It makes it easier to do the rest of the team, ”the new Helsinki captain Mona Kokko praise.
“The game is ticking, and it feels natural. You just raise your hand, and then you have a ball in it. Then you just put it in the field. It’s simple, and you don’t have to hang out in the air. ”
Passar’s role in volleyball is important. He could be compared to a quarterback in American football.
“Passar has a map of the attacking game in his mind all the time. He thinks that when the opponent has a certain situation, what the team has to do then to get the best result, ”Kokko describes.
Helsinki VOLLEY will begin his season in the Champions League on Thursday. The opponent is immediately very possible: last season’s gold team LP Message. Helsinki residents will be able to play their first three matches at home in Töölö.
“Sure, I’m happy about that, but they’re bad opponents. It has its sides and its sides, ”says coach Sauermann.
The team is not going to aim for the moon from the sky yet in its first season. The club must now invest in more than just sporting success. The background organization must be brought to the level required by the Champions League.
“We want to spend more than just one season in the series. So one goal is to preserve the serial position, ”says Sauermann.
Mona Kokko and Irina Melnichuk in Töölö Race Hall.
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source https://pledgetimes.com/volleyball-russian-star-irina-melnichuk-decided-to-choose-little-helsinki-volley-i-dont-know-why-but-i-didnt-think-too-much/
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