Women's cup final in volleyball: Førde – Øksil

The highlight of the year in Norwegian volleyball offers an exciting duel between Western Norway and Northern Norway. On the women's side, we get an intense showdown between the two best women's teams so far this season: Førde and Øksil. Expect high tempo, spectacular attacks and nerve-wracking exchanges when these star players meet in the cup final

Forde's way to the cup final

Førde's path to the cup final began with an away match against Finstad. There, Førde took a very convincing 0–3 win, with set scores of 13–25, 13–25 and 14–25. In the quarter-finals, an injury-hit Randaberg team awaited, and here too, they won comfortably 0–3 away (19–25, 20–25 and 19–25).

In the semi-finals, Førde again had to play away, this time against reigning Norwegian champions TIF Viking. There we had a highly dramatic match, where Førde eventually ran away with a strong 1–3 victory. The set scores were 24–26, 18–25, 26–24 and 25–27.

Probable starting sixes	Forde	Libero: Marte Gundersen
Caroline Nore	Malin Halleraker	Martine Viken
Emilie Olimstad	Elizabeth Viken	Dorthea Tvinde

Axe their way to the cup final

Øksil started their cup journey in Tromsø, where they beat BK Tromsø 0–3 away, midway through a historic European Cup game for the club. In the quarter-finals, there was another away trip, this time to the capital, where Øksil beat Oslo Volley 0–3 with set scores of 22–25, 21–25 and 20–25 in a consistently solid performance.

In the semi-finals, Øksil had a home match against the cup team Koll. After losing the first set 17–25, Øksil turned the match around in impressive fashion and won 3–1 with set scores of 17–25, 25–16, 25–18 and 25–19. This means Øksil is ready for the cup final in Oslo for the second year in a row. Can Øksil bring home a historic cup triumph?

Probable starting sixes	Axe	Libero: Cecline Woie
Frida Breivik	Ragni Steen Knudsen	Marianne Loftenes
Elise Skaue	Maja Lind Sanda	Karoline Lokaas

Strength ratio between the teams

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

Key players and tactical analysis

We have two very even teams that meet in the women's cup final in Ekeberghallen. Øksil has a clear strength on the edge, especially through Ragni Steen Knudsen. She is the points queen in Norwegian volleyball with an impressive 6.78 points per set. For Førde, Emilie Olimstad is the leading points picker with 4.52 points per set.

For their part, Førde has a clear advantage in the midfield. Malin Nummedal Halleraker is a key factor with almost one block per set and close to 50 percent efficiency in attack. This could be an important weapon against Øksil's edge-based attacking play.

In the crucial phases of the match, Øksil may still have a slight advantage. Cecilie Woie's experience and quality as a libero give the team extra security in reception and defense, which is often crucial in close cup finals.

What can we expect in the women's cup final?

Everything indicates that this will be a nerve-wracking five-setter. The teams complement each other well in terms of strengths and weaknesses, and the match picture will probably vary from set to set. Serve pressure, reception quality and efficiency in transition play will be decisive factors.
Both teams have shown the ability to perform when it matters most, and with small margins and high intensity, it is natural that the women's cup final in volleyball will only be decided in an exciting fifth set. Therefore, I play Øksil +2.5 to 1.67

Volleyball at 14:00: Førde – Øksil: Øksil +2.5 handicap