Author: Mark Wiltshear

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga 2025 So Far… The ‘Runkosarja’ Reviewed By Fans Of Each Club

Mark Wiltshear

Producer Mark rounded-up our band of Veikkausliiga fans to record an update to our preview episodes. As the ‘runkosarja’ has now finished and the league table splits in two, we asked each fan to give us an update on their club’s season so far. You will hear each fan’s personal report, starting at the bottom of the table and working up, so you’ll hear a change in tone, satisfaction and level of optimism, as the show progresses.

Huge thanks from FFS to all the fans for sharing their insights about their club! Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2025 So Far… The ‘Runkosarja’ Reviewed By Fans Of Each Club

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Huuhkajat & U21 Match Previews. Veikkausliiga splits into Champions & Challenger series.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke get back together after a long summer break. They give a brief update on the Veikkausliiga* as the league season splits into the Mestaruussarja and Haastajasarja. Who is in the race to win and who is trembling on the relegation trapdoor?

They then focus on upcoming games for the Finland men’s national teams, as the Huuhkajat play Norway in a friendly, before facing Poland away in a World Cup qualifier. The U21s, the Pikkuhuuhkajat, also have two games over the coming weekend, both Euro qualifiers against San Marino (home) and Cyprus (away).

* Look out for our full review of the Veikkausliiga season so far, as we hear from fans reviewing their club’s performances in the runkosarja. Coming soon. Continue reading Huuhkajat & U21 Match Previews. Veikkausliiga splits into Champions & Challenger series.

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga update & the first round of European Games

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W & Rasmus get back together during Finland’s 2025 summer heatwave and spend another hour discussing the current situation in the Veikkausliiga, which includes a very congested top half led, but not dominated, by Inter Turku. They also consider the first round of European games played, to varying degrees of success, last week by SJK Seinäjoki, KuPS Kuopio, HJK Helsinki & Ilves. Continue reading Veikkausliiga update & the first round of European Games

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

200th Episode of FFS with special guest, Stevie Grieve. Plus international match reports & Women’s Euro preview.

Mark Wiltshear

Special episode, this one, as FFS achieves its 200th episode. SJK Seinäjoki Head Coach, Stevie Grieve joined Mark W and Ally to chat about SJK’s season so far. They are then joined by occasional contributor, Seppo, who is the middle of a busy summer of international football.

They discuss the two World Cup Qualifiers for the Huuhkajat, a 0-2 defeat to Netherlands and a 2-1 victory over Poland. Seppo also shares his experiences travelling to Kosice, Slovakia with the Pikkuhuuhkajat, to watch Finland in the U21 Euro 2025 finals. They finish up with a preview of the Helmarit’s upcoming fixtures in the Women’s Euro 2025 finals – finding real reasons to feel optimistic about Finland’s chances. Hyvä Suomi 🦉 Continue reading 200th Episode of FFS with special guest, Stevie Grieve. Plus international match reports & Women’s Euro preview.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

New Kit For Finland. Helmarit Nations League Match Reports. Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Previews. U21 Euros Preview. Veikkausliiga Update.

Mark Wiltshear

Keke hosts again as Producer Mark is ‘otherwise engaged’ feeling poorly. He is joined by Ally and Rasmus to look at a very busy spell for Finnish football, starting with launch of an eye-catching new kit for the Finland National teams 😮‍💨🤌

They looked back at the recent Nations League matches for the Helmarit, who just missed out on promotion from Group B3, but who are heading straight into the Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July. Next, they preview upcoming Men’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers with the Huuhkajat facing the Netherlands (Sat 7.6.) and Poland (Tue 10.6.) The international segment finishes with a preview of the under-21 Euro 2025, where Finland’s ‘Pikkuhuuhkajat’ will compete.

They finish the show with a look at (mostly the top of) the Veikkausliiga, considering the recent performances of Ilves, KuPS Kuopio, HJK Helsinki and Inter Turku – being sure to save a few minutes to smirk and chuckle at SJK Seinäjoki’s recent form! When the (SJK supporting) cat is away, the mice will play… Continue reading New Kit For Finland. Helmarit Nations League Match Reports. Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Previews. U21 Euros Preview. Veikkausliiga Update.

FFS Awaydays, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

FFS Awaydays: Travelling To Finland For A Football Fix

Mark Wiltshear

Producer Mark gets together with two football fans from England who both travelled to Finland just to watch football. Well that and to try Finnish food. Yes, really!

Longtime FFS follower, Joe Parr caught Mark’s attention with a shout-out on The Sweeper podcast about his connection to Musan Salama (MuSa), who play in Kakkonen, the Finnish fourt tier. Jonny Hibberd set his sights higher by paying a flying visit to watch KuPS Kuopio in the Veikkausliiga, but it was his mission to to try a local delicacy that first inspired his trip. Continue reading FFS Awaydays: Travelling To Finland For A Football Fix

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga at ‘Vappu’. Which team is where after 4-5 games?

Mark Wiltshear

Hyvää vappua kaikille!

Mark W & Rasmus get together on the Labour Day holiday and spend an hour mulling over the first month of Veikkausliiga action. All teams have played 4-5 games which is a good point to discuss the front-runners, the chasing pack and those lagging behind. Here why Rasmus descibes HJK Helsink as ‘a bit unlucky’ as they lose their first three games – to the delight of fans from all the other Veikkausliiga teams 😆 Continue reading Veikkausliiga at ‘Vappu’. Which team is where after 4-5 games?

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Match Reports. Helmarit Nations League Group B3 Match Reports.

Mark Wiltshear

Keke & Mark H are ‘let loose’ on the pod as Producer Mark is either a) skiving or, b) recovering from the three Veikkausliiga preview pods – you decide reader/listener/viewer 😉

Mark & Keke look back at Jacob Friis’ first competitve games as Huuhkajat head coach. Two matches that saw Finland win 1-0 away to Malta, before drawing away 2-2 with Lithuania. Then they turn their attention to the Helmarit and two more Nations League games, a 0-0 draw at home to Belarus followed by a 3-0 home win over Hungary. Continue reading Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Match Reports. Helmarit Nations League Group B3 Match Reports.

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Veikkausliiga 2025 Preview: SJK Seinäjoki, FF Jaro, KuPS Kuopio, VPS Vaasa

Mark Wiltshear

The third and final episode in this series, in which the FFS team present previews for each Veikkausliiga team. In this episode, we hear from Petter Brunell on Jaro, Julian Dawe & Lari Paski on SJK, Jouni Laukkanen on KuPS and Sebastian Pundars on VPS.

Producer Mark is now going to have a lie down to prepare for the start of the season 😴 Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2025 Preview: SJK Seinäjoki, FF Jaro, KuPS Kuopio, VPS Vaasa

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga 2025 Preview: KTP, IF Gnistan, Inter Turku & Ilves

Mark Wiltshear

The second episode in a series of shows, in which the FFS team present previews for each Veikkausliiga team. In this episode, we hear from Sami Lindfors on KTP, John Ehrnstén on IF Gnistan, Inter Turku fan Jussi and FFS regulars Jamie and Rasmus discuus their team, Ilves. Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2025 Preview: KTP, IF Gnistan, Inter Turku & Ilves