Finland stuns world champion Italy in Turin, now two wins from European title

According to Aamulehti, Finland's men's volleyball team shocked world champion Italy 3–2 in Turin late Wednesday, moving the Finns two wins away from the European Championship and an automatic Olympic berth. The victory at the PalaVela arena silenced 8,260 spectators. Finland recovered from a slow tournament start to deliver a dramatic performance: a dominant 25–16 third set and a fifth-set comeback from three points down sealed the result.

Coach Olli Kunnari's side relied on standout nights from opposite Joonas Jokela and outside hitter Luka Marttila. Many are calling it the greatest win in Finnish volleyball history, topping shocks against Brazil in 2009 and France at last autumn's World Championship.

It follows Finland's five-set victory over Belgium in Tampere and has been boosted by sold-out crowds at Nokia Arena that raised the team's profile at home.

Finland now meets France in Friday's semifinal in Assago near Milan. A win there would guarantee at least a first European Championship medal and leave the title two wins away.

Tuomas Sammelvuo, watching from Tampere, captured the mood succinctly: "It doesn't matter how young or how tall you are, only how good you are. You must take success when the chance is there," he said, urging the team to seize the moment.