For the first time since the launch of the V-League (2005), foreign commanders will be scrambled at the same time for the first time since the launch of the V-League (2005) in the championship match (Best of 5) to determine the male Korean Air’s 메이저놀이터Tillikainen and female Heungkuk Life Insurance’s Abondanza winning team .
In this season’s V-League, Korean Air and Heungkuk Life Insurance took first place in the men’s and women’s regular leagues and went directly to the championship match. Korean Air has maintained its first place for three consecutive seasons since the 2020-2021 season, and Heungkuk Life Insurance jumped from 6th place last season. Coincidentally, both teams are based in Incheon. On the 29th, Heungkuk Life Insurance and Korean Air will begin their journey toward a combined victory (ranking first in the regular league and winning the championship match) at Incheon Samsan Gymnasium and Gyeyang Gymnasium, respectively, from the 30th.
It is also similar that the two teams entrusted the baton to a foreign coach. Finnish coach Tommy Tillikainen (36) took the helm of Korean Air last season after going through leagues in Finland, Germany and Japan. From the first year of his appointment, he puts ‘friend-like leadership’ in the forefront, such as achieving a combined championship. At the Postseason Media Day held on the 20th, he said, “I will prepare as usual,” and said, “I will play a good game as I trained.”
Italian coach Marcello Abondanza (53) was appointed head of Heungkuk Life Insurance on the 19th of last month. Although he is still unfamiliar with Korean volleyball, he said he fell in love with the charm of Korean volleyball while experiencing a volleyball court full of fans. He said, “I will do my best for the results that both the players and fans want.”