Hurrikaani maintained their push for the Mestaruusliiga title with a commanding 3–1 victory over AC Oulu on 26 April 2026 (25–18, 25–22, 27–29, 25–19). The win strengthened Hurrikaani’s hold on second place in the Finnish league standings, while AC Oulu’s playoff hopes took another blow.

Played at 22:00 local time, the match saw Hurrikaani assert their dominance from the start. Their serving pressure and efficient attacking overwhelmed AC Oulu in the first two sets, with star opposite hitter Eetu Rannikko notching 12 kills in the opening frames. However, AC Oulu showed fight in the third set, saving multiple set points before capitalizing on a Hurrikaani service error to win 29–27.

Turning the Tide

The fourth set was decisive. Hurrikaani broke an early 8–8 tie with a 6–1 run, powered by middle blocker Jussi Koskinen’s three blocks and an ace from setter Lauri Tervo. AC Oulu tried to mount a comeback, but their attack efficiency dropped to 32%, and Hurrikaani closed out the set convincingly. Rannikko finished as the top scorer with 24 points, while Koskinen added 15 kills and 5 blocks.

For AC Oulu, the loss was a frustrating end to a week that had seen them beat two lower-ranked sides. Their star outside hitter Mikko Lehtonen led the team with 18 points, but poor passing and 19 service errors undermined their efforts. The team dropped to seventh in the standings, four points adrift of the playoff spots with six matches left.

Mestaruusliiga Playoff Picture

Hurrikaani’s win keeps them three points behind leaders Raision Loimu, with a game in hand. The defending champions have now won four of their last five matches, showcasing the depth that earned them the title last season. The team’s consistency at home (12–3 record) has been a key ingredient, and they will host mid-table VaLePa next in a fixture that could prove critical for the top seed.

AC Oulu’s playoff prospects now hinge on winning their remaining home matches, including a crucial clash against seventh-placed Paterniemi. Coach Olli Jokinen admitted after the match that his team “cannot afford any more slip-ups if we want to be in the mix.” The Mestaruusliiga race remains one of the most competitive in Finnish volleyball history.