Power cup gathered thousands of volleyball fans to Käpylä sports park

There were children in the area dressed in unsightly volleyball gear. The participants shot each other with water guns and attached clothespins with different messages to the clothes and backpacks of passers-by.

Although this may sound peculiar, it is part of the nature of the event. Lempo-Volley from Lempäälä is represented by Aino Äijälä, Aina-Fiona Nikulainen and Mint Cucumbers shed light on the importance of water guns.

“For example, we shoot children and young people with water because they understand it better. We also shoot people who have water guns themselves.”

The purpose of laundry boys and water guns is to increase the spirit of togetherness. According to the trio, the atmosphere is happy and the participants are friendly to each other. It’s friends and community spirit that are most important to them in volleyball.

Alajärvi Ankkurien also fell victim to the laundry boy Urho Ojaniemi. “You are good” was written on the laundry boy. Ojaniemi started playing volleyball this year.

About 7,000 players participate in the Power Cup. The event is intended for 7-22 year olds. When other visitors are included, no less than 10,000 – 15,000 people move around the area.

Ojaniemi had known how to expect a large crowd.

“I knew there was a lot of chess here,” he says.

With Ojaniemi was his teammate Veikko Kivikangas. Kivikangas, who has played volleyball for three years, said that he was a little excited about the upcoming match. Despite this, both said that the atmosphere was good.

“Play a lot of volleyball. It’s worth it,” Kivikangas says.

When the clock struck 12, event manager Anna Komu blew the whistle on the stage set up in the area and the first matches were allowed to begin. At the same time, hundreds of volleyballs flew into the air around the sports park.

Komu said he was satisfied with the start of the event. According to him, many people wait for the tournament all year.

“The event is certainly of great importance to the young people. This is the highlight of the year for many volleyball juniors,” Komu commented from the spot.

Komu believes that the Power Cup will have a great impact on the growth of volleyball fans.

“Some people start the hobby precisely because they get to participate in the Power Cup.”

In addition to the participants, there is a significant number of people from Talkoo. About 500 volunteers are organizing the tournament. There are also, for example, cleaners and first aid personnel at work.

The tournament organized by the Volleyball Association, which has the rights to the event. In addition, the city of Helsinki is one of the significant partners.

Komu does not want to comment on the budget. About the event’s profits, he reveals that they will be used to develop junior volleyball activities. In addition, Komu mentions that the volleyball event generates “considerable” money for the city of Helsinki.

Power cup was organized for the first time in 1985. Normally, the event is held in a different location every year, but now the tournament is exceptionally organized in Helsinki two years in a row.

According to Komu, the decision is based on the development of the tournament in the future.

“Now is a good time to stop for the event. After two years in the same place, we can look at the development curve of the tournament.”

The goal is also to increase the number of teams coming from other countries than Finland. This year there are dozens of teams from abroad.

“International teams have good connections to Helsinki. This is one of the reasons why the Power cup will be organized here next year as well.”

The Power Cup started on Thursday and will last until Sunday. More than 5,000 matches are played in the tournament.