Author: Mark Wiltshear

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[Podcast] Honka Win The Liigacup, Huuhkajat Squad For Murcia Training Camp, Iceland & Slovakia Previews, Suomen Cup Update

Mark Wiltshear

We have a full team for this episode, which is just as well, as we also have a full agenda. We start by lauding Honka for winning the first trophy of the 2022 season, before looking forward to Keke’s trip to Murcia to watch the Huuhkajat take on Iceland & Slovakia.

We also discuss the Palloliitto’s innovative marketing for the upcoming Helmarit match vs. Georgia and salute the new contract given to Finland manager Markku Kanerva. Finally, we look at recent events in the Suomen Cup.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Honka Win The Liigacup, Huuhkajat Squad For Murcia Training Camp, Iceland & Slovakia Previews, Suomen Cup Update”
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Le Tournoi 2022: Helmarit Passion & Fight Gives Optimism For Euro 2022

Mark Wiltshear

We knew it would be a tough competition, and the starting match against France was the toughest possible introduction to Le Tournoi.

Mark H, Rich, Keke & Mark W discuss the three games for the Finland Women’s team, and how this prepares them for upcoming World Cup qualifiers and Euro 2022 in the UK. Continue reading Le Tournoi 2022: Helmarit Passion & Fight Gives Optimism For Euro 2022

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Competition Preview: The Helmarit at Le Tournoi de France 2022

Mark Wiltshear

Le Tournoi, Caen & Le Havre, 22–26.2.2022

The 2022 Tournoi de France will be the third edition of the tournament, it is an invitational women’s football tournament held annually in France and this year takes place from 16th to 22nd February. Joining Finland and hosts France this year are Brazil and the Netherlands. Rich and Keke look forward to the action, discuss the form of the Helmarit and consider the threat of their opponents! 😨 Continue reading Competition Preview: The Helmarit at Le Tournoi de France 2022

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Liigacup, Veikkausliiga Fixtures, Suomen Cup Draw, Transfers & Finland At The Futsal Euros

Mark Wiltshear

After a dark, very cold winter break, the Finnish football scene burst into life this past week, as we saw competitive action in the Liigacup. Keke, Rich & Mark W get together to discuss this first round of results, as well as the draw for the revamped Suomen Cup and the imminent release of the Veikkausliiga fixtures. We’ll also reflect on closed-season transfers and look back at the Futsal Euros in Amsterdam. That should keep us all busy for a while…

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Liigacup, Veikkausliiga Fixtures, Suomen Cup Draw, Transfers & Finland At The Futsal Euros”
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[Podcast] In Conversation with… Rasmus Schüller

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Keke, Mark H and Mark W are joined by another Huuhkajat star, Rasmus Schüller, who has over 50 Finland caps to his name. A serial winner, who has five Veikkausliiga titles, including three League & Cup doubles 🙌🏼 Rasmus is tough tackling, smooth passing, no nonsense, central midfielder currently with Djurgårdens IF in Stockholm.

Rade tells us how it felt to start in the Veikkausliiga, for Honka at the age of 18, the challenge of making the step-up to HJK Helsinki, his MLS adventure in Minnesota. He also shares some VERY interesting insights into the ill-fated Hans Backe era of the Finland national team and why Markku Kanerva has enjoyed such success in the Nations League and Euro 2020.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Rasmus Schüller”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Xmas Live Show

Mark Wiltshear

For our final show of 2021, we decided to broadcast it as a Facebook Live video and publish the results as a series of podcasts over the Christmas holiday. This was recorded on Monday 20.12.2021.

We discussed the news that Tim Sparv has retired, the confirmed Nations League fixtures for the Huuhkajat, considered who should be our ‘Finnish Player of the Year’ and launched our 2022 merchandise range.

We were joined by Boris Wistuba-Marino (Kitman at HJK Helsinki) and by FFS fan Erno who ‘knows Keke really well’ – whatever that means!

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Xmas Live Show”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Nations League 2022/23 Draw – Suomen Cup 2022 – Liigacup Returns

Mark Wiltshear

Having recovered from our recent city break in Helsinki to watch the Huuhkajat, the FFS team get together (virtually, again) to discuss today’s draw from the 2022/23 Nations League competition.

We also break down the, recently announced, changes to the Suomen Cup for 2022. As well as welcoming back the prodigal Cup, as the closed-season Liigacup makes a welcome return. We look at recent news and look forward to our Facebook Live show on Monday 20th December.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Nations League 2022/23 Draw – Suomen Cup 2022 – Liigacup Returns”
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Match Report: Sweden 2-1 Finland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Mark Wiltshear

Playing away against the old enemy is never easy, but when your closest rival is also ranked number 2 in the world, you know you’re in for a battle. That is what Finland faced but they also made sure they went down fighting against Sweden; standing toe-to-toe and attempting to play their own game. The other result in the group, Ireland 1-1 Slovakia, leaves the standings wide open at the halfway stage.

Mark W and Keke discuss the action after the final whistle. Continue reading Match Report: Sweden 2-1 Finland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: World Cup Qualifier Previews – Finland take on Bosnia-Herzegonvina & France

Mark Wiltshear

In the midst of uncertainty about where, exactly, Finland will play Bosnia-Herzegovina, the FFS team look at Markku Kanerva’s squad selection for these two, vital World Cup qualifiers. On 13th November, Finland travel (in theory) to Zenica to play Bosnia-Herzegovina. Then on 16th November, the Huuhkajat play hosts to France in a game that could see Finland qualify for its second consecutive major finals. There’s some work to be done yet, though, as Mark W, Rich, Mark H and Keke discuss…

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: World Cup Qualifier Previews – Finland take on Bosnia-Herzegonvina & France”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga 2021 Review – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions 🏆🏅

Mark Wiltshear

The final weekend of the Veikkausliiga 2021 season was full of drama. First played second, as KuPS hosted HJK in a battle for the title. While third played fourth, as Inter hosted SJK in the bronze medal match… and what accommodating hosts they were too! This game also turned into a shoot-out for the top scorer prize, with Benjamin Källman and Ariel ‘Tuco’ Ngueukam going toe-to-toe in this game, and both finishing on 14 goals for the season.

Mark H, Rich, Keke and Mark W get together to review the final weekend’s action and let’s just say, there were mixed emotions for the FFS team! We also look at the action in the Veikkausliiga/Ykkönen play-off between AC Oulu & RoPS.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga 2021 Review – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions 🏆🏅”