Finland’s all-star libero has been removed from the national team until further notice. The Finnish Volleyball Association put an end to their best player simply because he is considering the option of continuing to work in Russia.

A photo with a cup in Russia, and then an apology

Kerminen came to Russia when he was 22 years old, and since then he has performed in our country for seven years. It was here that Lauri became a tough player and one of the best in the world in his position. He achieved success in the Kemerovo Kuzbass, and then in Dynamo, with whom he became the champion of Russia in 2022.

It is noteworthy that the Finn did not leave Russia this spring, as many of his compatriots in other sports did. Then it seemed a bold decision and commanded respect. Moreover, Lauri even posted a photo with the victory cup at the end of the season, for which he received a ton of angry messages from the Finns on social networks. Later, in an interview with the Finnish media, Kerminen nevertheless “changed his shoes” and explained that he was forced to finish the season in Russia.

— I wanted to leave the team immediately. I first contacted my manager and we discussed everything. Next, I went to the club president and the CEO to ask for the termination of the agreement. The next day I received information that I could leave, but it costs money. The amount was impressive. It was a complete shock. Since the amount was so huge, I had to stay in Russia for financial reasons, Kerminen admitted.

Lauri Kerminen / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev

Excluded from the national team for thoughts

It was at the end of May. Two months later, the Finn, apparently, again rethought his values. Now it has become known that he does not exclude the option of continuing his career in Russia, in particular, in Dynamo Moscow. This alone was enough for him to be expelled from the Finnish national team. The head coach of the national team, Joel Banks, clarified the policy of the federation and did not insist on the inclusion of Lauri in the squad. Although someone who, but the mentor understood exactly what he was threatened with the loss of the best player on the eve of the qualifying matches for the European Championship.

“As a union, we don’t want to limit the careers of individuals. However, given the situation in the world, we act in this way. Then, if you play in Russia, you will not play in the national team. This is a situation specific solution. If the situation changes and Kerminen does not continue his career in Russia, we will certainly give different estimates, – said the head of the Finnish Volleyball Association Lauri Inna in an interview with MTV Uutiset.

At the same time, the Finnish volleyball leadership emphasized that they did not want to influence the athlete’s right to build a club career the way he wanted and stated that they only advised Kerminen not to play in Russia anymore. Amazing hypocrisy. The volleyball player has not moved anywhere yet, but he is already being kicked out of the national team, hiding behind care. It turns out that it is enough just not to exclude one option for sanctions to follow. It’s scary to imagine what will happen to Lauri if he still returns to Dynamo Moscow.

Tuomas Määttä / Photo: © Oleg Sidorov / HC SKA-Neftyanik

Identical case in bandy

A similar situation has developed with the star player of the Finnish national bandy team Tuomas Määttä, who plans to continue playing in Russia for SKA-Neftyanik. Finn remained at the club until the end of last season and stated that he wanted to maintain good relations with him in case he had to urgently leave for Finland. However, he doesn’t seem to want to leave yet. Myayattya was at home in the summer, but now he joined the Russian club at the training camp in Irkutsk.

– Knowing his professional approach to business, I am sure that he is 100% ready. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the fact that he was not at the recent training camp in Vladivostok. He is in excellent physical shape, as shown by his first training session with the team. Together with us, he will already take part in the next training camp in Irkutsk. I know that Tuomas is very fond of the Khabarovsk fans. Therefore, they will be able to enjoy his game again. I am sure that such a player as Tuomas will be an adornment of the domestic championship, – quotes the words of the head coach of SKA-Neftyanik Mikhail Pashkin, the official website of the club.

There is a possibility that for him now the doors to the Finnish national team will be closed. Although, given everything that is happening in the world and in sports, there is no reason to be surprised.