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The Finnish Football Show Podcast Hits 150 Episodes

Mark Wiltshear

The Finnish Football Show is an independent video and podcast series that has reached a new landmark. The episode “Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville” published on 28.9.2023, was the 150th episode since launching in November 2015.

Mark Wiltshear looks back at some of the landmarks from the history of the first and only, English-language show about Finnish football – FFS!

Continue reading “The Finnish Football Show Podcast Hits 150 Episodes”
Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W, Keke & Ally are joined by Max from the No Niin It’s Jalkapallo blog. The team discuss the first month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as SJK make a strong start and HJK makes heavy work of their opening schedule. Max then talks us through the start of the women’s Kansallinenliiga, explaining the early rounds of games, league positions and the changes coming to the league in 2024.

They also look briefly at the 3rd round of the Suomen Cup (where the first batch of Veikkausliiga teams join the fun), look back at the recent Euro 2025 Qualifiers for the Helmarit (particularly the impressive 2-1 win over Italy and, finally, Keke runs us through the recent stories about Finnish players in overseas leagues. Continue reading Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

Mark Wiltshear

We cut it fine, but we got this out just in time for the big kick-off on Saturday 6.4.2024.

In this episode, Mark W and Keke get things started, before handing over to some FFS listeners who present their team’s chances in the league this year. Huge thanks to Farid, Max, Ally (you know him), Julian and Jamie – we literally couldn’t have done this without you all! 🙌🏼 Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment
Finnish Football Show graphic with a list of topics in the 3.4.2024 episode.

Match Report: Finland 2-1 Estonia. Euro 2025 Qualifiers: Helmarit Squad Announced to face Norway & Italy.

Mark Wiltshear

Following the disappointment of the defeat to Wales. The Huuhkajat took on Estonia and delivered up a lukewarm performance, played on a terrrble pitch, in front of not that many supporters. Mark W and Keke talk through the ‘action’, while Mark H shares his experiences from the stadium.

They then look forward to the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers for the women’s national team, the Helmarit, who take on Norway and Italy in a challenging Group A1. Continue reading Match Report: Finland 2-1 Estonia. Euro 2025 Qualifiers: Helmarit Squad Announced to face Norway & Italy.

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Nations League, Path A

A demoralising 4-1 defeat for Finland, away to Wales in the Euro 2024 playoff, was not going to put off the FFS team – even Mark H made an appearance 😮 They discussed Mark W’s pre-match prediction live on BBC Radio 5Live, which was undermined by the Huuhkajat defence only three minutes into the game.

They also talked through the match highlights (possession stats) and lowlights (erm, four goals conceded) before finishing up with a discussion about Markku Kanerva, will he remain as Finland manager? And if not, who could replace him – you will never guess Mark H’s suggestion! Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

Mark Wiltshear

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, 21st Mar 2024

A pod of two halves as Mark W & Rich kick things off with updates on the Liigacup and news from Veikkausliiga teams. The main event is, naturally, the Euro 2024 playoffs via teh Nations League pathways. Rich talks through the Huuhkajat squad who’s in and why did Robert Taylor not join up with the squad?

Keke joins Mark W for the second half and shares insights into the form of the Finnish players. He also looks back at the Helmarit win in the Pinatar Cup, three more wins (one on penalties) as the womens national team prepare for their Euro2025 qualifiers in autumn. A short Finns Overseas section is interupted by a statement from Robert Taylor, on Instagram, explaining why he stayed in Miami – no, not the weather, his fitness! Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

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Helmarit Squad Announced for Pinatar Cup. Liigacup Update.

Mark Wiltshear

The Finnish women’s national team, the Helmarit, will be in Pinatar Cup action this week. For those not familiar with the Pinatar Cup, Mark W & Keke give you an explanation, an introduction to the Finland squad and, then, look forward to three games in seven days for the Helmarit.

The groups stage of the Liigacup is nearly over, so they look at recent results, the current league standings, and Mark explains just why he (and all the other SJK fans) feel so agrrrieved about losing to KuPS last weekend. Continue reading Helmarit Squad Announced for Pinatar Cup. Liigacup Update.

Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

Mark Wiltshear

New year, new format FFS. Shorter shows, but more regularly. Hopefully!

As the Veikkausliiga teams build up to the season starting, behind the scenes there’s plenty of action. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at recent transfers for Veikkausliiga teams and players, as well as Finns moving around overseas. Then they look at the draw for 2024 Nations League, with the Huuhkajat drawn against England, Republic of Ireland and Greece. Continue reading Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

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Head coach confusion at HJK & SJK. First Honka, now bankruptcy for HIFK. ⁠Liigacup starts. ⁠FFS in the Suomen Cup draw (kinda). ⁠Upcoming Nations League draw.

Mark Wiltshear

Happy New Year! OK, it’s a little late but, like very sleepy Finnish bears we’ve finally come out of hibernation. FFS!

There hasn’t been too much action on the pitch, bt there’s been plenty off it. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at the managerial situation at HJK and SJK and get to teh bottom of why both clubs have substitute head coaches. They also look at the situation at HIFK, who went bankrupt (again), did not renew it’s licence for Ykkösliiga and dropped down to Kolmonen for the 2024 season.

They then look at various cup competitions. The Liigacup gets underway, Ally from the Finnish Football Show will play in the Suomen Cup this year and look forward to the draw for 2024 Nations League on Thursday 8.2. for the Huuhkajat – who still have the Nations League playoff for Euro 2024 to navigate in March! Continue reading Head coach confusion at HJK & SJK. First Honka, now bankruptcy for HIFK. ⁠Liigacup starts. ⁠FFS in the Suomen Cup draw (kinda). ⁠Upcoming Nations League draw.

Helmarit, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 6-0 Romania & Slovakia 2-2 Finland. News Update: FC Honka, Liigacup 2024, New SJK Coach. Huuhkajat Euro Playoff & Nations League Draw. HJK’s Final Euro Match.

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 5 & 6.

Whew, this really is a jam-packed episode, as Mark W and Rich review the final two Women’s Nations League games for Finland’s Helmarit; a dominant 6-0 win over 10-woman Romania and a battling 2-2 draw away in Slovakia. They also look at the potential impact of this campaign on the Euro 2025 qualifying matches in late-2024.

They then look at the Huuhkajat, who not only have the Nations League playoff for Euro 2024, but their next Nations League group will be drawn early next year. Who said football never stops!

The Liigacup 2024 groups have been confirmed, so we look forward to some cold, indoor action starting in January. While in the Veikkausliiga, more dust has settled on FC Honka’s (latest) demise, while a new management team at SJK Seinäjoki prompts an in-depth look at SJK Akatemia in 2023. Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 6-0 Romania & Slovakia 2-2 Finland. News Update: FC Honka, Liigacup 2024, New SJK Coach. Huuhkajat Euro Playoff & Nations League Draw. HJK’s Final Euro Match.