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.
On the men's side, we also get a thriller between the two strongest teams of the season: BK Tromsø and Førde. The match promises drama, tactical duels and impressive performances from both experienced and young talents. This will be a cup final full of excitement, where small margins can decide who ultimately lifts the trophy.
Women's cup final in volleyball: Førde – Øksil at 14:00
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 likely 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.
Prediction: Ax wins 3-2
Men's Cup Final in Volleyball: Førde – Øksil at 16:30
BK Tromsø's road to the final
BK Tromsø started their journey to the cup final with a home match against Framnes, where they won 3–0. In the quarter-finals, there was another home match, this time against Randaberg. It was a classic cup match between BK Tromsø and Randaberg, where the home team won comfortably 3–0.
In the semi-finals, a much more demanding match awaited against NTNUI. BK Tromsø won the first two sets comfortably with 25–21 and 25–19, but NTNUI fought back and took both the third and fourth sets with 23–25 and 20–25. Thus, the semi-final had to be decided in a classic fifth set.
The fifth set was very nerve-wracking and even until 10–10. Then BK Tromsø took the lead 13–10, before NTNUI fought back again. In the end, it was BK Tromsø who kept their cool and secured the victory 15–13. Thus, BK Tromsø is ready for its third cup final in a row. The question is whether the Tromsø team will finally succeed this time with a new coach in Tauno Lipp.
| Probable starting sixes | BK Tromsø | Libero: Edvard Klo |
| Petter Alstad Østvik | Peder Sorheim | Tom's Liepa |
| Kristoffer Alstad Østvik | Maximilian Kersting | Jan Kazan |
Made his way to the final
Førde started their journey to the cup final by facing Oldenborg in the round of 16, winning comfortably 3–0. The undersigned played for Oldenborg in this match and really got to know a strong Førde team, which has earned a place in the cup final through determined and good work over time at the club.
In the quarterfinals they faced an Øksil team that had Mathias Loftnes back after the India adventure. Førde won 3–1 with set scores of 25–20, 28–26, 15–25 and 25–16. The match was exciting, especially in the second set, but this time it was Førde who pulled out the long straw.
The semi-final between Førde and Koll in Førdehuset was also at least as dramatic as the match in Tromsø. Førde won the first two sets 26–24 and 25–21, before Koll fought back and took the third and fourth sets 23–25 and 17–25. In a nerve-wracking fifth set, Førde managed to keep a cool head and secured the victory 18–16, and thus a place in the cup final.
| Probable starting sixes | Forde | Libero: Daniel Klopstad |
| Olav Ingebrigtsen | Jobjørn Røkenes | Martin Olimstad |
| Change Twist | Elias Vie | Kristian Bjørvik |
Strength ratio between the teams
| BK Tromsø | >/< | Forde |
| The wingers | – | The wingers |
| The midfielders | – | The midfielders |
| Diagonal player | – | Diagonal player |
| Trailer | > | Trailer |
| Libero | – | Libero |
| 1 | SUM | 0 |
The teams have met once before this season, in Tromsøhallen, where BK Tromsø won 3–2 after being down 0–2 after the first two sets. In an impressive comeback, Tromsø managed to win 17–15 in the fifth set, despite having three match points against them at 11–14. Liepa was the hero of the court and hit the last four balls. He is BK Tromsø's main point picker with 4.9 points per set.
In the cup final we can expect an exciting duel between Liepa and Emilie Olimstad, Førde's key player. Olimstad has 32% efficiency in attack and is a great receiver, which gives Førde security and continuity in the game.
When we look at the qualities between the teams, the set piece is the only area where BK Tromsø has a clear advantage. Jan has experience and quality that can be decisive in important exchanges, which is reflected in the balance of strength between the teams.
However, Førde has its own star player to rely on in Olav Ingebrigtsen on the diagonal. He has had an impressive season with 15 points per game and could be the key to keeping Førde competitive in the offensive game.
What can we expect in the men's cup final?
Everything is set for a close and dramatic cup final, where individual performances and small margins on crucial balls could decide who ultimately lifts the trophy. We could also get a five-setter, as we saw in 2014, when Førde were big favorites in the final against BK Tromsø.
At that time, everyone thought the game was over for Tromsø, who were down 0–2 against a very strong Førde team with quality players in all positions and Norway's national team captain Jonas Kvalen in the starting six. However, history showed that BK Tromsø turned the game around and won 3–2. Robin Bergheim ended it all on the match ball with a spectacular dip reminiscent of an NFL quarterback – a dip that has rarely been seen in a decisive exchange of balls in a cup final. It should not be overlooked that we could get an equally dramatic five-setter in the men's cup final in 2026.
Prediction: BK Tromsø wins 3-2
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