Osaka Bluteon (Panasonic Panthers) has appointed Tuomas Sammelvuo as their new head coach, as confirmed by the volleyball management agency LZ Sport Pro through an official social media announcement. The appointment comes after months of speculation, following earlier reports in January linking Sammelvuo to the club.
Sammelvuo arrives in Japan after completing a demanding season with Asseco Resovia Rzeszów in the Polish PlusLiga, where the team concluded the regular season and playoff phase in sixth place — a result viewed as below expectations for the storied club. His tenure included notable fluctuations in form, reflecting the intense competitive landscape of the Polish league.
The Finnish coach brings a wealth of international experience to his new role. His previous accomplishments include winning the Olympic gold medal with the Russian national team, securing a CEV Champions League title with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. He has also delivered commendable results with the Canadian national team.
Sammelvuo will succeed French coach Laurent Tillie, who departs to take over the Japanese men’s national team, following the departure of Philippe Blain. At Osaka Bluteon, Sammelvuo faces the challenging task of maintaining the club’s elite status within Japan’s highly competitive volleyball league.
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