Author: Mark Wiltshear

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Match Report: Finland 1-2 Ireland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Mark Wiltshear

Back on home soil, the Helmarit struggled to break down a resolute Ireland side that got players behind the ball to defend, while making the most of counter-attacking on the break. A fine goal-of-the-match from Adelina Engman, was not enough against a good direct free kick and a close-range header for Ireland. Mark W, Keke and Rich got together for a chat straight after the game. Continue reading Match Report: Finland 1-2 Ireland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Helmarit, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Match Report: Georgia 0-2 Finland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Mark Wiltshear

On a football pitch that resembled a ploughed field, the Helmarit put on an assured, commanding performance to take a comfortable 3-0 World Cup Qualifier victory back home from Tbilisi, Georgia.

Goals from Linda Sällström, Sanni Franssi and, a penalty from, Emmi Alanen ensured that Finland sit in joint top place in group A, with local rivals Sweden. Mark W and Rich got together for a chat straight after the game. Continue reading Match Report: Georgia 0-2 Finland, Women’s World Cup Qualifier

In Conversation, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

[Podcast] In Conversation with… Tinni Korpela

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Keke and Mark W are joined by another Helmarit star and yet another Finnish goalkeeper! Tinja-Riikka Korpela who is a legend of the women’s game; a serial winner who won two Bundesliga titles and three Finnish championships. As well as making 90+ appearances for the Helmarit – the women’s Finland national team – and playing a large part in getting the Helmarit into Euro 2022.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Tinni Korpela”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Huuhkajat Squad Announced | Helmarit Match Review | Veikkausliiga Splits

Mark Wiltshear

A busy show of international qualifiers, with both the Huuhkajat and Helmarit competing to qualify for upcoming World Cups. Mark W, Keke, Mark H and Rich look at the recent result for the Finland Women’s team and look forward to imminent games for the Men’s team.

They then turn their attention to the closing stages of the 2021 Veikkausliiga season. The regular season has now finished and the league splits into two final series’. For each club, the FFS team discuss their league position, any recent news or events and their prospects in the final stages.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Huuhkajat Squad Announced | Helmarit Match Review | Veikkausliiga Splits”
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[Podcast] Finland’s Managerial Merry-go-round. FFS!

Mark Wiltshear

Merry-go-round = Carousel or karuselli

This is the episode that Mark H has been promising/threatening for a couple of weeks. The team discuss the recent spate of sackings, announcements of upcoming resignations (pre-signations?) and rumoured manager transfers for 2022. Attention then turns to SJK Seinäjoki, who are firmly embroiled in this silly-season and whose fans are about to take action and boycott the upcoming game with FC Inter Turku.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finland’s Managerial Merry-go-round. FFS!”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: World Cup Qualifiers Preview | Huuhkajat Squads Announced | Transfer Update | Veikkausliiga

Mark Wiltshear

Another packed show, as Mark W, Keke, Mark H and Rich get together to preview the Finland national team squad that was just announced and preview the three upcoming games against Wales, Kazakhstan and France.

They also look at the Pikkuhuuhkajat (the U-21) squad that was also announced and ponder the quality of the next generation of potential Huuhkajat. Finally, they turn their attention to recent transfers for Finnish players moving overseas and take a quick look at the current Veikkausliiga standings.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: World Cup Qualifiers Preview | Huuhkajat Squads Announced | Transfer Update | Veikkausliiga”
In Conversation, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

[Podcast] In Conversation with… Robert Taylor

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Keke, Rich and Mark H are joined by another Huuhkajat star, Robert Taylor, who talks them through his career. It’s an inspirational story! Having been told he wasn’t good enough for the Northern Counties league in England, his determination to succeed eventually drove him to score for the Finland national team and travel to Euro 2020.

Robert gives us his perspective on that surreal night at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, and reflects on the Chrsitian Eriksen situation, and also gives a little insight into the off-field scandal at SK Brann in August 2021.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Robert Taylor”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: European Club Competitions | Veikkausliiga | Brexit Transfer Troubles

Mark Wiltshear

After the craziness of the Euros – the FFS team was crazy-busy representing Finland across the world’s media – you MAY have noticed!), crazy-tired staying up until 1:00 AM watching too many games of football, and crazy-hot (at least here in Finland) – it’s been nice to calm down and return to normality.

Mark H, Mark W, Rich and Keke get together to look back at the recent European action for HJK Helsinki, KuPS Kuopio, Inter Turku and Honka, and look forward to upcoming ties for HJK and KuPS. We reflect on a comment from Joni Kauko, about transfers to Brexit Britain, which seems to have started having an effect on Finnish players. We also look back at the last month of Veikkausliiga action, which has given us a league table that is tight at both ends. Ooh-er! 😳

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: European Club Competitions | Veikkausliiga | Brexit Transfer Troubles”
In Conversation, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

[Podcast] In Conversation with… Danish Journalist, Michael Christiansen

Mark Wiltshear

Danish journalist, Michael Christiansen, reached out to the FFS team asking for the Finnish perspective on the incident when Christian Eriksen collapsed during the Denmark-Finland game.

Mark H, Rich, Keke & Mark W take a moment to ask Michael about the previous day’s result; England 2-1 Denmark. They then get down to business and talk about how the incident was reported in Denmark, Finland and the UK. How Finnish fans are viewed in Denmark. How each country’s performance at Euro 2020 has been received. And how does the future look for both the Finnish and Danish national teams.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Danish Journalist, Michael Christiansen”