ABBA Pineto takes shape. The white and blue team is pleased to announce the first new face of the roster that will face the Serie A2 Credem Banca championship: it is the opposite Samuli Kaislasalo, 28 years old (born 1995), Finnish international taken from the Netherlands from the Active Living Orion club .
An imposing physique, 205 centimeters tall to put at Pineto’s service, Kaislasalo is fresh from winning the national title in the Eredivisie, the Dutch championship, where last April 26th he triumphed in game 4 of the play-offs. Not only that: the team victory was accompanied by the new opposite team from Pineto with the record for points scored (546 of which 461 in attack, 46 blocks and 39 aces).
The profile of the new arrival at ABBA – strongly sought by the company through the work of DS Massimo Forese – is prominent. Samuli Kaislasalo boasts a long militancy, both at club and national selection level, in international competitions. These include the 2023 and 2019 European Championships, the 2018 World Championships and the Golden League, where he will make his debut on May 17th against Croatia. His career also includes a silver in the 2022 Silver League and participation in the Challenge Cup.
The one in Italy will be the fourth experience outside the country of origin for the player originally from Forssa, a city located in southern Finland: after having played in his homeland for Kuortane, Hurrikaani Loimaa, Rantaperkiön Isku (awarded as best opposite player of the 2015/16 championship ), Leka Volley and Raision Loimu, two seasons followed one another between Foinikas Syros ONEX (Greece) and Lindemans Aalst (Belgium). His return to Hurrikaani Loimaa the following year was followed by another year in Greece with AO Milon Neas Smyrnis and the last two seasons in Holland (with a cup and a championship won).
Samuli Kaislasalo’s first words in blue and white: “I’m really happy to start this new experience with Pineto. After having achieved a long-chased dream, that of winning a national title, I am enthusiastic about this challenge in Italy. Italians are famous for their passion for sport and it will be fantastic to experience it first hand. Competing myself with Italian volleyball was one of the goals of my career and now it becomes reality.
