Finland forges future in beach volleyball through FIVB Empowerment – FIVB
Ambition was never the issue for Finland’s women’s beach volleyball team. What they needed was the structure to grow. For years, coaching was divided across programmes, planning took a back seat and opportunities were limited. A single coaching appointment marked the turning point. Since then, it has grown into a national effort to put proper […]
Ambition was never the issue for Finland’s women’s beach volleyball team. What they needed was the structure to grow. For years, coaching was divided across programmes, planning took a back seat and opportunities were limited. A single coaching appointment marked the turning point. Since then, it has grown into a national effort to put proper structures in place. With eyes on the 2025 World Championship, Finland are building a new way forward.
When the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme extended its support to Finland’s women’s beach volleyball programme, the aim was to turn potential into progress with dedicated resources and targeted coaching.
“Coaching resources were split in many places – administration, junior national team programme, women’s national team programme, other duties in federation,” said Finnish Volleyball Federation Sports Director Tapio Kangasniemi.
“There was no space or time for international or national development processes. The aim was to find more resources for women’s national team coaching and the development process.”
Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Niina Ahtiainen with coach Toni Vahela during a training session in Finland. (Photo: Antti Lähteenmäki / Yle)
The turning point came with the arrival of coach Toni Vahela, whose role was made possible through FIVB Volleyball Empowerment.
“Because of Empowerment, Toni was able to use his time and resources to the women’s national team players and programme,” said Kangasniemi.
Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Niina Ahtiainen introduced ahead of the medal ceremony at the Beach Pro Tour Challenge in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
With Vahela at the helm, Finland’s top pairing – Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Niina Ahtiainen – became one of the most active teams on the international stage.
“We were able to practise more together. Ahtiainen and Lahti-Liukkonen were, in the last two seasons, one of the teams that played the most tournaments,” said Kangasniemi. “During the last Olympic cycle, Ahtiainen and Lahti-Liukkonen, as a new composition, developed into a potential Olympic-level team.”
Although they narrowly missed qualification in the final stages of the Olympic race, the support laid the foundation for what is now a much broader strategy.
“For the 2023 World Championship we were preparing in a quite normal way, because Empowerment had just started,” said Kangasniemi. “For the World Championship 2025 we now have more resources to do a lot better planning, programming and execution of basic training, season camps and competitions.”
That planning now includes a full support system built around the players, from scouting and strength and conditioning to physiotherapy and sport psychology.
“In the year 2024–2025 we were able to build better supporting staff – scouting, S&C coaching, physiotherapy, sport psychologist,” said Kangasniemi. “Latest improvement is a new resource for administrative work to support athletes’ daily activities.”
Finland’s technical development has also sharpened, with the team focusing on key areas to compete at a higher level.
“We are developing our defence and attacking game,” said Kangasniemi. “Those are the key points in our game to get better results.”
Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Niina Ahtiainen celebrate their Beach Pro Tour Futures victory in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: CEV)
The programme has already seen tangible results. Finland claimed silver at the Beach Pro Tour Challenge 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, won the Beach Pro Tour Futures in Brussels, Belgium, in August 2024, and most recently qualified for the 2024 CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup Finals, after an impressive golden set win over Czechia in Balikesir, Türkiye.
Empowerment is helping to strengthen Finland’s talent pipeline for the future.
“Number of players in our national junior tour has increased in the last two years,” said Kangasniemi. “This year we have more potential young players applying in our national training centre than ever before.”
That growth in young players is also driving new priorities for the national federation.
“Next step in our development will be to work more closely with clubs to get a more specific vision for all potential players,” said Kangasniemi.
Interestingly, while the Nations Cup has been a key competition for Finland’s top team, the federation sees greater developmental value in other events.
“The impact of the Nations Cup for our top teams is not really playing a big role. Our top teams are playing enough tournaments even without Nations Cup and for younger athletes, better platforms are zonal events and Beach Pro Tour Futures,” said Kangasniemi.
Taru Lahti-Liukkonen sees the difference in how Finland approaches every season now. With Empowerment support, the team has the coaching and structure to hone every part of their game.
“The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment support has been a really important part of our preparation for the season,” said Lahti-Liukkonen. “It helps us to have top-level coaching so we can focus on improving every aspect of our game strategy.”
Her partner Niina Ahtiainen highlights that same support as crucial, especially with major tournaments ahead.
“Being supported by the Empowerment programme is essential when we prepare ourselves for the tournaments including world championships. Goals are high so we need as good as possible coaching – continuously develop both individual and team skills in the pursuit of our sporting goals.”
Finland’s facilities have also benefitted, with the team now training in collaboration with Biitsi, a network of dedicated beach volleyball centres across the country. The partnership provides access to venues in Pasila, Salmisaari, Vantaa and Hacienda, offering year-round training environments regardless of the season. This focus on infrastructure is part of a much broader plan.
“Now we have already planned our vision toward the 2028 and 2032 Olympics,” said Kangasniemi. “At the same time, we have invested resources not only in top sport but overall development for beach volleyball in Finland.”
Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Niina Ahtiainen celebrate a point during the Beach Pro Tour Elite16 in Hamburg, Germany.
The Empowerment support is tied closely to Finland’s long-term plans.
“FIVB Empowerment plays an important role in our planned vision,” said the sports director. “Empowerment will secure federation and Olympic committee support funding for the programme.”
Kangasniemi said the focus is now on maintaining quality and consistency throughout the programme.
“At the moment, the most important indicators are quality and quantity of training and amount of participation in tournaments. These are the indicators which are building better results in the future also,” he said. “Another important thing is to get more and better supporting processes around the daily actions of the national teams.”
From 2022 to 2023, the FIVB Empowerment has provided CHF 221,000 to Finland, including coaching support and national team coaching development across its volleyball and beach volleyball programmes. This support has created a system designed to strengthen Finland’s place in the sport and match its ambition for the future.
Track and Field MVP awards presented to four BHS students
At the Class B state qualifier meet hosted by Batavia at VanDetta Stadium on Friday, Section V presented the Devin Snyder Class B2 MVP awards based on last week’s sectional results. The boys’ track MVP was Cameron Garofalo, and the boys’ field MVP was Sheldon Siverling. For the girls, the track MVP was Karizma Wescott, […]
At the Class B state qualifier meet hosted by Batavia at VanDetta Stadium on Friday, Section V presented the Devin Snyder Class B2 MVP awards based on last week’s sectional results.
The boys’ track MVP was Cameron Garofalo, and the boys’ field MVP was Sheldon Siverling. For the girls, the track MVP was Karizma Wescott, and the field MVP was Ella Shamp.
The Devin Snyder award is named in memory of Devin Snyder, an outstanding student-athlete from Wayland-Cohocton who excelled in track and field, as well as other sports, during her varsity career. The award is presented by Section V to recognize top track and field athletes in various classes, honoring Snyder’s legacy and contributions to the sport in the region.
Top 5 Reads Of The Week [June 2-6] – Local Profile
Who needs a beach vacation when North Texas serves up white sands, lobster rolls and even a roaming herd of goats? This week’s top reads prove that local life knows how to surprise, whether it’s real estate making waves or schools making deals. With summer heating up, now is the perfect time to lean into […]
Who needs a beach vacation when North Texas serves up white sands, lobster rolls and even a roaming herd of goats? This week’s top reads prove that local life knows how to surprise, whether it’s real estate making waves or schools making deals. With summer heating up, now is the perfect time to lean into the unexpected — and maybe pick up a few fun facts for your next dinner conversation.
. Photo: Plano ISD
Plano City Council recently approved the $8.4 million purchase of two former elementary school properties from Plano ISD. The deal, part of an interlocal agreement with the district, includes the sites of Davis Elementary and Forman Elementary schools. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Eddie V’s
Maine lobster meets live jazz this summer at Eddie V’s in Plano. Running through July 25, the Golden Nights Summer event blends indulgence and ambiance with a limited-time pairing: a lobster roll, a glass of wine and a side of sultry live music. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Windsong Ranch
At Windsong Ranch, you can spy sunseekers strolling along white sand beaches as electric turquoise waters from a vast lagoon lap their feet. Atop the oceanic ripples, kayakers plunge their paddles into deep waters as paddleboarders skim across the surface in full view of those loafing in sand-lodged lounge chairs or spiking serves on the beach volleyball court. READ MORE
. Photo: Matilda Preisendorf | Local Profile
The culinary minds behind celebrated North Texas restaurants Rye and Apothicary are back in Collin County with a bold new concept. Flamant, a European-inspired live fire cocktail bar and bistro, is now open at 5880 State Highway 121 in Plano at the Boardwalk at Granite Park. READ MORE
. Photo: City of McKinney
If you’re out for a stroll along McKinney’s Wilson Creek Trail and think you hear bleating instead of birdsong, you’re not imagining things. This month, the city welcomed 450 goats to take over landscaping duties between Bonnie Wenk and Al Ruschhaupt Parks. READ MORE
Don’t miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
Tewksbury High track teams compete at MVC meet | Sports
Both the Tewksbury High boys and girls track teams competed at the two-day Division 4 outdoor track and field state championships last weekend at Merrimack College. The boys netted 19 points for a 15th-place finish, highlighted by a fourth-place finish from Colby Mengata in the shot put (50-07.25) and a third-place finish from Manny Mengata […]
Both the Tewksbury High boys and girls track teams competed at the two-day Division 4 outdoor track and field state championships last weekend at Merrimack College.
The boys netted 19 points for a 15th-place finish, highlighted by a fourth-place finish from Colby Mengata in the shot put (50-07.25) and a third-place finish from Manny Mengata in the discus (151-10).
Salvatore Catanzano also found success in the pentathlon, placing third with 3,083 points. In the event, he placed first in the 1500 (4:41.37), sixth in the 110-meter hurdles (16.30), second in the high jump (6-00.75), eighth in the long jump (19-00.50) and sixth in the shot put (33-06). Mason Veits posted a 10-6 in the pole vault for seventh place.
On the girls side, Teagan Claycomb competed in the girls pentathlon and placed 11th. In the events, she placed 10th in the 100-meter hurdles (19.04), ninth in the 800-meter run (2:42.93), third in the high jump (4-07), 12th in the long jump (13-06.25) and 11th in the shot put (19-04.25).
Shea Macdonald came in 13th in the high jump (4-09), while Maggie Kinnon netted a 6-06 in the pole vault for 12th.
Nations League: France beats Germany and takes 3rd place
Karim Adeyemi conceded a second successive defeat with Germany in front of a supporter Keystone Germany end their first Final Four in the Nations League without a win. At its home tournament, the team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann also lost the match for third place against France 0:2. Unlike in the semi-final against Portugal […]
Karim Adeyemi conceded a second successive defeat with Germany in front of a supporter
Keystone
Germany end their first Final Four in the Nations League without a win. At its home tournament, the team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann also lost the match for third place against France 0:2.
Unlike in the semi-final against Portugal (1:2), Germany created many chances to score, but failed to convert any of them in a clearly dominated first half. The video referee intervened twice against the hapless Germans: On a penalty awarded after just over half an hour, which was disallowed due to a foul by Karim Adeyemi, and later on a goal by Deniz Undav, which was preceded by a foul.
France were efficient in the first half and took the lead through Kylian Mbappé shortly before the break. It was the captain of the World Cup runners-up’s 50th goal in his 90th international match. In the 84th minute, the Real Madrid striker made the difference for the French, who were superior in the second half of the match: after a German defensive error, he ideally set up Michael Olise for the goal.
The going is weird. Cub Tracks™ turned pro a long time ago. Cub Tracks™. Where the great ones run away. All of the players in MLB are pros. Any given team can beat you. Good teams WILL beat you, if you make mistakes. The Cubs made mistakes Friday. Saturday? Not so much. [embedded content] Former […]
The going is weird. Cub Tracks™ turned pro a long time ago. Cub Tracks™. Where the great ones runaway.
All of the players in MLB are pros. Any given team can beat you. Good teams WILL beat you, if you make mistakes. The Cubs made mistakes Friday. Saturday? Not so much.
Former No. 2 overall pick (Pirates, 2010) Jameson Taillon opposed Keider Montero and lefty opener Tyler Holton. Taillon generally puts in a workmanlike performance and this afternoon game was no exception. Right fielder Seiya Suzuki treated Taillon to an early lead and Dansby Swanson, in the four-spot, nearly joined him. Things settled down after that, thanks in part to Doug Eddings’ terrible umpiring and good debating skills.
The Cubs had packed the WAR clubs, though, and were having none of that. Scoring position, pshaw, right J.D.?
Hey hey hey hey hey!
Cade Horton is learning how to prepare the meatloaf. Let’s get it done, Cade.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. We are 100% in favor of human sportswriting and will not wittingly publish A. I. -driven articles or content. Thanks for reading!
Actually, Sen. Gallego, the solution for transgender women in sports is simple
Laurie Roberts wrote a piece about U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s evolving stance on transgender athletes that I found a bit confounding. Maybe that’s because Gallego’s position on the issue is muddled to the point of being almost incoherent. Gallego seemed to support the exclusion of trans girls and women from sports, suggesting they could find other […]
Laurie Roberts wrote a piece about U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s evolving stance on transgender athletes that I found a bit confounding. Maybe that’s because Gallego’s position on the issue is muddled to the point of being almost incoherent.
Gallego seemed to support the exclusion of trans girls and women from sports, suggesting they could find other activities. But then he also suggested we could leave it to local institutions to decide who participates. Huh?
The senator went on to say that trans people should be welcomed into our community, just not apparently the sports community. It’s never good when a politician takes a stand, and yet can’t comprehend it.
I will grant you that the issue is a complex one, but the solutions also seem rather simple given the relatively low number of transgender athletes we are talking about.
The NCAA and each state’s athletic governing body should make decisions about participation. Kids in grade school, in my opinion, should be able to participate freely.
This idea of a level playing field is a joke. Inequities in sports are common.Does the high school girl who is 6’2” have an advantage in volleyball or basketball? What about Brittney Griner? A blanket policy on this issue is unfair.Dan Peel, ScottsdaleMayor Kate Gallego gets it right on data centers
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego gave her State of the City address and covered a lot of successes and challenges for our growing city: transportation, water, public safety, housing and economic development.
I think she and the City Council are making good progress on many issues, and are thoughtfully anticipating future developments within the constraints of money and public opinion.
You can’t have everything, and definitely can’t subsidize everything.
He may be right, but that doesn’t mean the Phoenix taxpayer should give giant tax breaks to this multitrillion-dollar industry of the future that, despite its potential benefits, is unlikely to produce many local jobs or revenue.
She is rightfully more focused on tangible, affordable benefits for Phoenicians, rather than picking winners in the economy. She wants to help them get around town more easily, enjoy a reliable supply of water, endure the brutal summer sun and secure many high-paying jobs in the biotech and microchip sectors.
Our mayor has also warned us that squandering up to $1 billion to placate the billionaire owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks to upgrade Chase Field and undefined surrounding property is not the best use of our tax receipts.
Just ask the City of Glendale.
It’s reassuring to have a mayor and City Council with good judgment and good results. They’ve performed no miracles and have work left to do, but they’re moving in the right direction.
Good luck to the data center folks. I hope the Trump administration’s expulsion of foreign students, especially graduate students, doesn’t put too much of a crimp in successfully competing with China.
Andrew March, Phoenix
It’s a stretch to link D.C. murders to college classes
To blame an extremist’s heart-rending murder of two young people to American universities and how they teach about the Middle East seems tenuous at best. It ignores the horrors of deliberate starvation and the use of sophisticated modern weaponry against the defenseless civilian populations in Gaza.
Justification for Israel to destroy Hamas is framed as a fight against antisemitism.
But this is about Israel’s long-term plan to establish power over the territory. No effort is made to look at the history or motives of the right-wing Likud party, which uses the cloak of antisemitism to cover its cruelty toward Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and to continue their land grab.
Likud never had any intention of allowing a two-state solution, which might have provided a framework for peace if guaranteed by third parties. Rabin’s assassination says it all. Hamas’ actions are as indefensible as are Israel’s. The bloodshed will only continue until there is justice and security for both peoples.
Alan Austin, Phoenix
Tax the rich and cut the fat from the armed forces
Out-of-control deficit spending has become a big topic in today’s news.
The answer seems apparent to me.
Raise taxes on the super rich.
Then get serious about scrutinizing all the waste in the U.S. Department of Defense.
That seems like a logical start.
Unfortunately, the GOP has never considered this. Instead, the Republicans’ latest idea is to take away health care for millions of people.
Fred Batko, Phoenix
Where was the reporting on Biden’s health?
Columnist Bill Goodykoontz says the book “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios, is required reading for the left.
He adds, “in retrospect it’s easy to say journalism failed,” then asks, “Where was all this reporting when it really mattered?”
Let me answer.
The “journalism” could have been found if people chose to tune in to Fox, Newsmax or talk radio. They early on were showing the videos and airing the sound bytes, making a case for Biden’s condition, just as they made cases for all the issues that the left wanted to ignore and to ridicule us for bringing up. Charles Lopresto, PhoenixWhat’s on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.
Laurie Roberts wrote a piece about U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego’s evolving stance on transgender athletes that I found a bit confounding. Maybe that’s because Gallego’s position on the issue is muddled to the point of being almost incoherent.
The “journalism” could have been found if people chose to tune in to Fox, Newsmax or talk radio. They early on were showing the videos and airing the sound bytes, making a case for Biden’s condition, just as they made cases for all the issues that the left wanted to ignore and to ridicule us for bringing up. Charles Lopresto, PhoenixWhat’s on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at 
Fever blow out Sky in season opener | WNBA on ESPN
