Axe – OSI 22.11.2025

Axe – Brighter times ahead?

Øksil started the 2025-2026 season without star player Mathias Loftesnes. He has been in India for a short period to play in India's largest volleyball tournament, with several million viewers. This has had a significant impact on the young Øksil team. They now have four losses, all away, and one win, which came a month ago at home against Randaberg (3–0).

Last weekend they played the quarter-finals of the cup against Førde away from home. It was a 1–3 loss, but behind the result there were a number of positive things. One was that Mathias Loftesnes is back in the Øksil jersey, and it also looks like Isak Helland-Hansen is starting to get fit. In addition, they have Oskar Gabrielsen (10.7 points per game), who has stood out in this period without Mathias. Now I think brighter times are ahead for Øksil into the dark winter months.

So far this season, Øksil as a club has had a fantastic home event, and it peaked when the women's team advanced to Europe two weeks ago. I expect a home crowd that creates a fantastic atmosphere in Øksneshallen!

Key player: Mathias Loftesnes

OSI – relegation tendencies? 

OSI got off to a fantastic start in the Mizuno League after they were back in good company, with a strong 3–0 win against Randaberg. However, things have been a bit of a struggle since the opening. In the three following matches in the Mizuno League, OSI has had to recharge their batteries after three straight losses.

OSI is fielding a big squad this season, with several good players in every position. The question is whether OSI can put together a strong team that can get involved in the playoff talk, or whether they will have to fight tooth and nail to avoid ending up in the relegation zone. So far this season, Anders Clifford is the point picker for OSI, with 13.4 points per game. Here, several of the players will have to step up and fight to turn around the losing streak. 

Key player: Anders Clifford

Axe	>/<	OSI
The wingers	>	The wingers
The midfielders	–	The midfielders
Diagonal player	>	Diagonal player
Trailer	<	Trailer
Libero	–	Libero
2	SUM	1

Last 3 matches for the teams

Axil 3-0 Randaberg	NTNUI 3-0 OSI
TIF Viking – 3-0 Axe	OSI 1-3 NTNUI
Forde 3-0 Øksil	OSI 0-3 Coll

What can we expect in Øksneshallen?

The team that loses this match is in great danger of being relegated, especially considering the level of the teams in this year's MizunoLiga. For Øksil, as mentioned earlier, it means a lot that they have Mathias back on the wing. The timing could hardly be worse for OSI, who are already struggling and also have to make the long trip up to Øksneshallen and should preferably take points south. I think it will be tough for OSI since Øksil supporters will finally get to see Mathias Loftesnes again, and it will undoubtedly lift the team to have a player of his caliber back. 

The way I see the match going, is that Øksil will go all out to dominate and get the home crowd involved from the first ball. Players like Isak and Mathias will likely account for a significant portion of the attacking points, as Øksil will likely exploit their strengths and put them in good positions throughout the match.

For OSI, I think the key will be to ride out the first storm from Øksil. They must avoid the home team gaining too much momentum early. At the same time, OSI must be ready to seize the opportunities that naturally arise during a volleyball match. This means that they must be able to involve all their players in the attack phase, vary the game and keep Øksil's block uncertain. In addition, OSI needs a solid serve pressure to be able to push Øksil out of the system and prevent them from playing their most comfortable solutions. Without this, it will be very difficult to bring home points.

As for the outcome of the match, I think Øksil will be too strong this time. Several factors point in that direction. Firstly, Mathias is back, which gives Øksil both routine, power and stability. Secondly, they have a clear home field advantage in Øksneshallen, where the crowd often makes a noticeable difference. Thirdly, Øksil has individual players with higher quality in key positions, which is often decisive in regular matches.

All in all, it looks like a match where OSI will have to deliver its best performance so far this season in order to challenge a strengthened and resilient Øksil team.

Volleyball at 14:30: Öksil – OSI: Öksil wins (1.68)

Alternative bet: Axe -1.5 handicap (2.15)