Winners emerge in China’s women’s volleyball league; while cup trophies are lifted in Denmark and Finland

Tianjin Bohai Bank celebrated as China’s national women’s volleyball champions on Saturday. On Sunday, ASV Elite Aarhus and Odense won the women’s and the men’s national cup finals in Denmark, respectively. Moreover, Puijo Wolley Kuopio and Savo Volley Kuopio claimed the men’s and women’s titles respectively in the Finland Cup at the weekend.

China

Tianjin Bohai Bank claimed their fifth consecutive and 16th overall title in China’s women’s volleyball league after claiming victory over Shanghai Bright Ubest in the best-of-five championship series, earning three wins in four matches played. The final playoff began with Shanghai’s 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23) home win on 23 January, but Tianjin reacted with three victories in a row - 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-16) at home on 27 January, 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-16) at home on 30 January, and 3-1 (25-19, 25-11, 22-25, 25-15) in Shanghai on 3 February. Tianjin’s international star outside hitter Li Yingying (pictured in the main photo; credits Xinhua News) was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), while their coach, Wang Bao Quan, was awarded the Best Coach prize. In the best-of-three third-place playoff, Jiangsu Zenith Steel Nanjing achieved two straight-set wins over Beijing Baic Motor to snatch the bronze.

Tianjin Bohai Bank’s team roster

Congratulations ，Tianjin Bohai Bank Women's Volleyball Team pic.twitter.com/1BEOMTHvxn

- ChinaVolleyball League (@Vleague_China) February 3, 2024

Denmark

The Ceres Park hall in Aarhus hosted the Denmark Cup Final Fours for both women and men over the weekend. Hosts ASV Elite Aarhus triumphed with the women’s trophy for the sixth time in history and the first time in 34 years. In Sunday’s final, they claimed a tight 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-17, 26-24) victory over last year’s winners Holte IF and their outside hitter, Frederikke Krogh, was named Most Valuable Player. In Saturday’s semifinals, ASV Elite produced a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-23) win over Brondby, while Holte squeezed out a hard-fought 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-9) over Gentofte Volley. Gentofte took the bronze after a 3-2 (20-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-15, 15-10) comeback against Brondby for the third place.

ASV Elite Aarhus’s team roster

ASV Elite Aarhus lift their first cup trophy in 34 years (Photo credits: asv.dk)

Defending title-holders Odense battled through a five-set men’s final to celebrate a 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7) win over Nordenskov UIF to pick up their 11th trophy in the history of the competition. Outside hitter Nikolaj Hjorth was honoured with the Most Valuable Player recognition. In the semifinals, Odense managed a 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 25-14) victory over Gentofte Volley, while Nordenskov also defeated their opponents Ikast KFUM in four sets, 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 25-14). Another four sets decided the bronze medal game as well, with Gentofte claiming a 3-1 (25-16, 28-26, 23-25, 25-12) win over Ikast.

Odense’s team roster

Odense triumph as men’s Denmark Cup winners (Photo credits: Facebook)

Finland

The Kupittaan Palloiluhalli in Turku welcomed the semifinals and the finals of the women’s and the men’s Finland Cup from Friday through Sunday. Puijo Wolley Kuopio achieved a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-15) sweep of the women’s final against Polkky Kuusamo on Sunday to claim the club’s historic first national cup trophy. Pujio’s 20-year-old opposite Selma Rasanen delivered a match-high 18 points. In Saturday’s semifinals, Pujio mounted an amazing comeback from two sets down to celebrate a 3-2 (24-26, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-6) victory over Kangasala, while Polkky mastered a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-15) win over Hameenlinnan Lentopallokerho Hameenlinna.

Puijo Wolley Kuopio’s team roster

Puijo Wolley celebrate historic success (Photo credits: lentopallo.fi)

In the men’s final, Savo Volley Kuopio claimed their second Finland Cup trophy after a 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-18) sweep against Raision Loimu Raisio in front of nearly 1,500 spectators on Saturday. American outside hitter Michael Michelau was the best scorer of the match with 17 points. On Friday, Savo took a 3-1 (21-25, 29-27, 27-25, 25-20) semifinal win over Akaa-Volley, while Raision Loimu beat Kokkolan Tiikerit Kokkola by 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17).

Savo Volley Kuopio’s team roster

Savo Volley rejoice as national cup winners (Photo credits: lentopallo.fi)