Finland celebrate winning a point against Pool E rivals Portugal
Vaasa, Finland, June 6, 2015 - The second FIVB Volleyball World League Pool E encounter between Finland and Portugal this weekend saw the hosts again claim victory, this time in four sets 3-1 (25-23, 28-30, 25-14, 25-23).
Coach Tuomas Sammelvuo's men went into this weekend's two games on the back of four losses to Belgium. Portugal had lost their first two opening matches against the fourth team in Pool E, the Netherlands.
In a repeat of Friday's match between the two teams, the Finns started the first set well, taking a five-point lead at 10-5. Portugal fought back to close the gap to just one point at 17-16 and moved into the lead at 19-20. In money time, however, Finland pulled clear, with Oivanen and Ojansivu both contributing a total of seven points in the set.
Both teams were closely matched at the beginning of set two, with the visitors leading 5-8 at the first technical timeout. The set, however, saw both teams in competitive mode and unable to carve out a clear lead until Fabricio Silva's block handed Portugal a two point advantage at 28-30.
The final two sets, however, saw Portugal unable to recover from their second-set efforts with the Vaasa Ice Hall spectators cheering on the home team to a four set win. Finland's Lelu Ojansivu scored a match-high 17 points - Matti Oivanen and Antti Siltala scored 16.
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