Member Associations | 4 Mar 2010

Finland National Champs: Young “Pentti” OLAH aiming at crown

04/03/2010 – The Finish National Championships will be held in Tampere, the biggest city in Finland after capital, some 200 kilometers from Helsinki to north. All the finals except mixed doubles will take place on Sunday afternoon, the 7th of March.

04/03/2010 – The Finish National Championships will be held in Tampere, the biggest city in Finland after capital, some 200 kilometers from Helsinki to north. All the finals except mixed doubles will take place on Sunday afternoon, the 7th of March. Mixed doubles final will be held on Saturday evening.

Everyone is expecting whether young (19) ranking number one, Benedek “Pentti” OLAH would be able to take his first crown in men’s singles. Last year in his hometown Sein?ki OLAH was loosing in semi just with smallest possible margin against Pasi VALASTI, the final winner.

VALASTI, already 40 years, has played altogether 18 times in championship finals and has won the title nine times! Also Mika R?NEN, Timo TAMMINEN, Toni SOINE and Roope KANTOLA are certainly looking for podium places in the competition. Seeded pairs are OLAH-VALASTI and R?NEN-TAMMINEN.

In women’s event Anni KOMULAINEN is not defending her title. Henriikka PUNNONEN and Hanna NYBERG are the biggest favorites, but also younger players like Pinja ERIKSSON or Sanna-Mari B??IUS are ready for surprises. Family B??IUS are living in Sweden but with the exception of father Anders they are representing Finland.

Finnish Champions 2009 in Sein?ki:

MS: Pasi VALASTI (runner up Mika R?NEN)
WS: Anni-Mari B??ius (Hanna NYBERG)
MD: Pentti OLAH / Antti JOKINEN (VALASTI / Mika TUOMOLA)
WD: Anni B??IUS / Sanna-Mari B??IUS (Milla-Mari VASTAVUO / Emma ROLIG)
MD: R?nen / Anni B??IUS (OLAH / Henriikka PUNNONEN)

(by Esko HEIKKINEN, courtesy of FTTA)

Photo: Benedek “Pentti” OLAH