Finland take first European bronze in style with three-set win over Slovenia

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/finland/xWtY0ri6/"]Finland[/a]'s dream of a first European title was ended at the hands of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/4UUj2p7m/"]France[/a] in the semi-finals the previous evening, but 19 years on from their only prior last-four appearance, Finland ensured they would not pass the opportunity by to take a medal home.[/p][p]In the first set, the Finns secured a 9-6 lead only for former silver medallists [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/slovenia/bRQQqXZj/"]Slovenia[/a] to draw level again at 11-11. A 21-17 lead for the Nordic side was also cancelled out, but [b]a 3-1 run to end the set was all Finland needed to take it 25-23.[/b][/p][embed guid="3f4f1eb0-9c61-41e7-b57e-316c03160cfc" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kL6lMaeYXU" social-type="youtube" /][p]The lead changed hands plenty of times in set two before [b]Finland turned a 10-10 score into a 15-10 lead, and from there, the [i]Veljekset [/i]were able to keep control[/b] and win the set 25-20, taking them one win away from a medal.[/p][p]Finland's 13-11 lead in set three was the first time either side led by a margin of more than one, before Slovenia rallied from 17-14 down to 20-19 in front. The 25-point mark was passed without either side able to secure match point, before [b]Finland finally got over the line, winning the set 29-27 to win [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/volleyball/finland-xWtY0ri6/slovenia-bRQQqXZj/?mid=OUYevkjf"]the match 3-0[/a][/b] and take their place on the European podium for the first time.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/volleyball/europe/european-championships/"]Review the 2026 European Volleyball Championship on Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]